LDH Kinyarwanda Mentorship (2025–2026)

The Wikimedia Language Diversity Hub (LDH) is a proposed Wikimedia hub for affiliates and volunteers who are working on new language versions of Wikipedia or other Wikimedia projects. These will typically include indigenous, minority, marginalized and under-resourced language communities. The hub is an extension and continuation of the Wikimedia Language Diversity initiative, and is proposed as a result of the Wikimedia 2030 Movement Strategy Recommendations.

LDH Kinyarwanda Mentorship

Wikimedia Kinyarwanda Community Hub (Wikipedia Kinyarwanda): A Wikimedia language community in Rwanda (Africa). Their main focus is to build a sustainable community, increasing free content in Kinyarwanda on open Wikimedia projects in Rwanda.

This is the central documentation page for the mentorship relationship between the Kinyarwanda Wikimedia community and the Wikimedia Language Diversity Hub (LDH).

Overview

Mentored Language: Kinyarwanda (rw)
Mentorship Start Date:Dec. 2025
LDH Mentor(s): Tochiprecious & Jon Harald
Primary Community Contact: Nyirahabihirwe Clementine
Community Page: Wikipedia Kinyarwanda
Related Projects:

Community Assessment Summary

(Based on initial diagnostic call and application)

Current Status & Strengths

Active Contributors: Estimated 30-50 regular contributors, with a broader network of ~100 participants in communication channels.
Organization: Strong communication via WhatsApp groups and structured membership forms. Community has an admin/responsible leader.
Institutional Support: Has existing connections that provide in-kind support like venue space.
Clear Goals: Defined objectives to increase content by 70% and train 30 new, high-quality contributors.

Primary Goals

Increase Content Volume: Grow article count by 70%.
Build Contributor Capacity: Train 30 new contributors who can, in turn, train others.
Develop Technical Infrastructure: Implement templates, infoboxes, and bots to improve article quality and editing efficiency.
Improve Content Quality & Sourcing: Address challenges with reliable sources and consistent terminology.

Identified Challenges & Support Needs

Technical Skills Gap: Urgent need for **template, infobox, and bot creation/configuration. Lack of these tools hinders quality and efficiency.
Newcomer Retention: Difficulty keeping new editors engaged due to the complexity of article creation and sourcing.
Resource Access: Need for **computers, internet connectivity**, and funding for regular physical activities to maintain volunteer motivation.
Source Availability: Challenge in finding and using reliable, freely accessible references for article creation.

Mentorship Action Plan

Phase 1: Technical Foundation & Training Setup (Months 1-3)

Objective: Establish a technical working group and address the most critical template needs.

Action Item	Lead	Status	Notes / Deadline
1. Deploy Databox Template to Kinyarwanda Wikipedia	Community	Completed	One on one training with community leader.
2. Nominate Technical Learning Team	Community	Completed	Identify 2–3 community members to focus on template/data box work.
3. Create Meta Documentation Page	Community + LDH	Completed	This page will serve as the central log for progress and resources.
4. First Technical Workshop	LDH Mentor	Completed	Session on "Creating and Customizing Infoboxes/Data Boxes."
5. Explore Sourcing with Global Voices	LDH Coordinator	Pending	Connect community with Global Voices to assess article suitability as references.
6. Set Up Micro-grant Pathway	LDH Coordinator	Pending	Create application page and guide community for internet/device support.

Phase 2: Implementation & Pilot (Months 4-6)

Objective: Deploy first templates and launch a structured training pilot.
Pilot the new data box template on a set of articles.
Conduct a "Train-the-Trainer" workshop for the first cohort of new contributors.
Submit a micro-grant application for connectivity or equipment.
Begin integrating Wikidata basics.

Phase 3: Scaling & Systematization (Months 7-12)

Objective: Scale the training model, advance Wikisource incubation, and document processes.
Scale the contributor training program using the initial trainers.
Make significant progress on Wikisource technical requirements.
Document the community's technical and training model for others.

Meeting Notes & Logs

2025-11-14

Community assessment

2026-02-03

Kick-off & Technical Deep Dive Discussed core challenges: newcomer struggles with writing/sourcing, terminology, and translation. Strategy defined: use **Wikidata data boxes** as a sustainable alternative to complex traditional templates. Agreed to form a technical team and use Global Voices for sourcing if available.

Key Resources & Links

LDH Mentorship Program Page:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Language_Diversity_Hub/Activities)

Introduction to Data Boxes:** [Help:Data boxes](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Data_boxes)

Contact

To support the community, kindly reach out to:

On-wiki: Tochi Precious
Community Lead: Nyirahabihirwe Clementine

This page is maintained collaboratively by the Kinyarwanda Community and the LDH team. Please feel free to add updates, notes, and reflections below.

LDH Kinyarwanda 2nd session