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LDH Songhay Community Mentorship 2025-2026

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

Overview

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  • Mentored Language: Songhay (son)
  • Mentorship Start Date: March 2025
  • LDH Mentor(s): Jon Harald & Tochi
  • Primary Community Contact: Mohammodou
  • Community Page:
  • Related Projects:
  • Incubator:Wp/son

Community Assessment Summary

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(Based on initial diagnostic call)

Current Status & Strengths

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  • Stage: Reactivated Incubator (dormant since 2019, revived August 2025).
  • Recent Growth: Rapid increase from 15 to 150+ articles as of March 2025.
  • Structure: Diaspora-led (Europe/N. America) with 8 local contributors in Mali and Niger. Clear goal to empower 3-5 local people to handle all tasks.
  • Technical Foundation: Existing language resources including keyboard modules, online writing pads, and prior localization experience.
  • Content Goal: 200 articles by late January 2026, 500 by July-August 2026.

Primary Goals

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  1. Reach 200 articles by late January 2026 and 500 by July-August 2026.
  2. Achieve high-quality articles with images, links, and accurate spelling/grammar.
  3. Build a functioning and regularly fed website that does not become dormant again.
  4. Empower 3-5 local contributors to handle all tasks (writing, uploading, editing).

Identified Challenges & Support Needs

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  1. Critical Access Barrier: Lack of devices and internet connectivity for local contributors (6/8 work only on phones; 2 have computers, one dysfunctional). This is the primary bottleneck.
  2. Technical Skills Gap: Need for easy-to-use article templates (for images/links) and skills in image uploading, formatting, and wiki markup for visual quality.
  3. Sustainable Workflow: Transitioning from diaspora-led uploading to a model where local contributors can produce and post polished content independently.
  4. Resource Mobilization: Funding is urgently needed for devices (laptops/smartphones), connection credit, and local-event monies.

Mentorship Action Plan

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Phase 1: Equip, Template, and Train (Months 1-3)

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Objective: Address the critical access barrier and provide foundational tools for quality improvement.

Action Item Lead Status Notes/Deadline
1. Create Device & Connectivity Needs Assessment Community + LDH Coordinator Pending Document specific needs (data plans) for 3-5 prioritized local contributors with cost estimates.
2. Design & Test Simple Article Templates LDH Mentor + Community Pending Create 1-2 pre-formatted templates (e.g., for biography, place) with markers for images and links.
3. Prepare Targeted Micro-grant Application Community + LDH Coordinator Pending Submit application based on Needs Assessment for data to enable local contributors.
4. Conduct Focused Virtual Training LDH Mentor Planned Session for the 5 capable learners on using templates and basic image upload.

Phase 2: Deploy Resources & Deepen Skills (Months 4-6)

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Objective: Implement secured resources and build advanced skills.

  • Procure and distribute devices/data plans if grant is secured.
  • Host training on image selection, licensing, and captioning.
  • Set up a simple peer-review system among local contributors.
  • Progress toward the 200-article milestone.

Phase 3: Sustain Quality & Plan for Growth (Months 7-9)

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Objective: Strengthen local coordination and plan for community expansion.

  • Support planning for a small, local meet-up if feasible.
  • Introduce tools for tracking article quality metrics.
  • Begin discussing a lightweight governance model for the local core team.

Phase 4: Solidify Independence & Long-Term Vision (Months 10-12)

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Objective: Ensure sustainability and document the model.

  • Conduct a comprehensive review of the 500-article corpus for quality.
  • Develop a sustainability plan for maintaining equipment and connectivity.
  • Create a "Songhay Incubator Playbook" documenting the revival model.

Meeting Notes & Logs

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2025-12-14 Initial Assessment Discussed the community's reactivation success and the critical need to equip local contributors with devices and connectivity. Agreed that a micro-grant for internet is the top priority to sustain growth.

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Contact

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

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