Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/WIKI LOVES FOLKLORE & FEMINISM IN BOTSWANA (ID: 23645278)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Mothusi Sekhomba
- Organization
N/A
- If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)
N/A
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
Main Proposal
[edit]- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
WIKI LOVES FOLKLORE & FEMINISM IN BOTSWANA
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2026-02-02 - 2026-03-31
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Botswana
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Wiki Loves Folklore
- 6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)
Through “Wiki Loves FOLKLORE & Feminism in Botswana,” we aim to reclaim and digitize Botswana’s rich cultural heritage while amplifying the voices of people who have historically been underrepresented in public knowledge platforms. This campaign seeks to bridge the gap between oral tradition and digital documentation, ensuring that local folklore, rituals, and gendered cultural practices are preserved, celebrated, and made accessible to all.
The wider change we envision is a more inclusive, locally grounded Wikimedia ecosystem, where Botswana’s stories are not only told but told with dignity, depth, and gender equity. By empowering youth, women, and community members to contribute to Wikimedia projects, we foster digital literacy, cultural pride, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing.
- 7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.
1. Community Training Workshops Description: I will host in-person and virtual workshops to equip new editors, photographers, and storytellers with Wikimedia skills. Why does it matters: Many contributors, especially youth and women, have powerful stories but limited digital access. These workshops will build confidence and capacity. Partners:Botswana National Youth Council, local libraries, and schools
2. Folklore Photo Walks & Upload Drives Description: We’ll organize guided photo walks in villages and cultural sites to document rituals, crafts, and traditional performances. Why: Botswana’s intangible heritage is visually rich but underrepresented online. These walks will preserve it with dignity. Partners: Local cultural associations, Ministry of Youth Gender Sport & Culture
3. Wikipedia Edit-a-thons
Description: I’ll facilitate themed writing sessions focused on women in folklore, gendered traditions, and cultural figures.
Why: This closes the gender content gap and strengthens Botswana’s presence on Wikipedia.
Partners: University of Botswana Gender Studies Department
4. Digital Inclusion & Gender Equity Dialogue Description: I’ll host a public panel or webinar exploring the intersection of folklore, feminism, and digital justice. Why: This sparks critical reflection and positions Botswana within global knowledge equity movements. Partners: local NGOs
6. Campaign Page & Documentation Description: I’ll create a public Meta-Wiki page to document progress, share resources, and invite global participation. Why: This ensures transparency, visibility, and alignment with international Wiki Loves Folklore efforts.
Link to campaign page: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Folklore
7. Recognition & Celebration Description: We’ll issue certificates, spotlight contributors, and host a closing celebration to honor community efforts. Why: Recognition fosters motivation, dignity, and long-term engagement
- 8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.
Project Lead
Mothusi Sekhomba
- Role: Project Manager & Lead Facilitator
- Wikimedia Username: Mothusi Sekhomba
- Responsibilities:
a) Strategic planning, partner coordination, campaign page setup, workshop facilitation, reporting. b) Supporting budget tracking, venue coordination, procurement of training materials.
- Status: Volunteer
Maitumelo Dagwi
- Role: Commons Coordinator & Photo Walk Facilitator
- Wikimedia Username: BlackgirlMighty
- Affiliation: WikiVerse Botswana, Wiki Loves Africa Botswana
- Responsibilities: Organizing photo walks, managing Commons uploads, training contributors in visual documentation
- Status: Volunteer
- 9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)
Our campaign will engage a diverse cross-section of participants from Botswana, with a special focus on:
a) Youth and students from secondary schools, universities, and youth-led organizations b) Women and girls involved in storytelling, crafts, cultural preservation, and community leadership c) Local photographers, writers, and creatives passionate about heritage and gender equity d) Community elders and cultural custodians who hold oral traditions and folklore knowledge e) Digital inclusion advocates and Wikimedia volunteers from WikiVerse Botswana and allied groups
These participants will be drawn from both urban and rural communities, including Broadhurst, Molepolole, Serowe, Maun, and Francistown, ensuring geographic and cultural diversity.
How Will We Engage Participants Before the Activities?
a) Outreach Campaigns: I’ll lead a multi-platform outreach strategy using posters, WhatsApp groups, school visits, and radio announcements to raise awareness. b) Partner Mobilization: Collaborate with WikiVerse Botswana, Botswana National Youth Council, schools, and cultural associations to identify and invite participants. c) Pre-Event Orientation: Host virtual and in-person briefings to introduce the campaign, explain Wikimedia tools, and build excitement. d) Personalized Invitations: Issue dignified, welcoming messages to contributors and elders, affirming their role as knowledge keepers.
How Will We Engage Participants During the Activities?
a) Inclusive Facilitation: Ensure all workshops and events are welcoming, multilingual (English and Setswana), and paced for beginners. b) Hands-On Support: Provide one-on-one guidance, printed toolkits, and live demonstrations during photo walks and edit-a-thons. b) Cultural Sensitivity: Honor traditional protocols when documenting rituals or engaging elders, with consent and respect. c) Recognition in Real Time: Celebrate contributions during sessions with shout-outs, certificates, and storytelling circles.
How Will We Follow Up After the Activities?
a) Contributor Spotlights: Feature participants on the campaign page and social media to affirm their impact. b) Feedback & Reflection: Send follow-up surveys and host debrief circles to gather insights and deepen learning. c) Continued Mentorship: Invite participants to join WikiVerse Botswana’s mentorship program for ongoing Wikimedia engagement. d) Legacy Building: Share a closing report, photo gallery, and thank-you messages to sustain relationships and inspire future campaigns.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
Yes
- 10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wvvs3nhfontKo1FwpA2sWlAGtXtnIweDMEn8VxrinJY/edit?usp=drivesdk
- 11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.
The idea for “Wiki Loves FOLKLORE & Feminism in Botswana” was developed through a series of intentional conversations, reflections, and collaborative planning sessions with community members, youth leaders, and Wikimedia affiliates. As Project Manager, I prioritized inclusive dialogue, cultural sensitivity, and strategic alignment with Botswana’s storytelling traditions and digital justice goals. Steps Taken to Discuss the Project
1. Initial Concept Sharing: a) I introduced the campaign concept during WikiVerse Botswana’s internal planning meetings and LCOY Botswana 2025 sessions, where we explored intersections of climate justice, digital inclusion, and cultural heritage.
2. Partner Consultations:
a) I held one-on-one discussions with representatives from Wiki Loves Folklore to align our goals and explore thematic synergies. b) I also engaged local partners such as the Botswana National Youth Council, cultural associations, and educators to ensure relevance and community ownership.
3. Youth and Contributor Feedback:
a) I invited feedback from past Wiki Challenge participants and youth storytellers, many of whom expressed interest in documenting folklore and feminist narratives. b) These conversations affirmed the need for a campaign that blends oral tradition, gender equity, and digital empowerment.
- 12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Culture, heritage or GLAM
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Ethnic/racial/religious or cultural background
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
As Project Manager for “Wiki Loves FOLKLORE & Feminism in Botswana,” I see this campaign not only as a documentation effort but as a learning journey. We aim to deepen our understanding of how cultural heritage, gender equity, and digital inclusion can be woven together to empower communities and transform Wikimedia spaces.
To guide this journey, we’ve framed key Learning Questions that will shape our reflection, data collection, and future planning:
Learning Questions
1. How can localized storytelling and folklore documentation increase participation from underrepresented communities in Wikimedia projects?
- We’ll track contributor demographics, motivations, and retention to understand what draws people in and keeps them engaged.
2. What barriers do women and youth face when contributing to Wikimedia platforms, and how can we design more inclusive training and support systems?
- We’ll gather feedback through surveys, debrief circles, and mentorship follow-ups to identify gaps and improve facilitation.
3. How does documenting folklore and feminist narratives impact contributors’ sense of cultural pride, identity, and digital agency?
- We’ll use reflective prompts and storytelling sessions to explore emotional and cultural outcomes.
4. What types of partnerships and outreach methods are most effective in mobilizing diverse communities for knowledge equity campaigns?
- We’ll analyze outreach data, partner feedback, and participation rates across regions and demographics.
5. How can Botswana’s contributions to Wiki Loves Folklore influence global narratives and inspire similar campaigns in other African contexts?
- We’ll monitor content visibility, international engagement, and cross-regional collaborations sparked by the campaign.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 40 | |
| Number of editors | 40 | |
| Number of organizers | 2 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 10 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 300 |
| Wikidata | |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
N/A
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
No
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)
Suggested Digital Tools
a) Outreach Dashboard: To track edits, uploads, and contributor activity b) Google Forms / KoboToolbox: For surveys, registration, and feedback c) Wikimedia Hashtag Tool: To monitor campaign-related edits d) Meta-Wiki Campaign Page: For public documentation and transparency e) Commons Campaign Category: To organize and review uploaded media f) WhatsApp & Facebook Insights: For outreach and engagement analytics
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
25150 BWP
- 22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.
1832 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback
[edit]Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).