Building a Python Community in Zimbabwe

In this talk, I give an account of how we built a Python community in Zimbabwe. However, I focus more on the growth that I have had as an individual, all the exposure my work in the community has given me and how it has boosted my career and made me a better person.

Transcript

1. Building a Python Community in Zimbabwe by Anna Makarudze PyCon Nigeria 2018 @amakarudze
2. Fundraising Coordinator: Django Girls Foundation Director: Django Software Foundation Board 2018 Organiser: Various events About
3. To answer the “What’s in it for me?” question with regards to participating in open source communities. Aim
4. How it all started
5. Learning about PyCon Namibia 2016
6. My first Python events
7. Django Girls Harare
8. Django Girls Masvingo
9. PyCon Zim 2016 & 2017
10. Challenges faced setting up the community?
11. Lack of direction Volunteering vs Entrepreneurship
12. Lack of know-how How to organise not-for-profit open source events.
13. Lack of local funding Ailing economy + less Python usage compared to PHP
14. African myths about “Python”
15. Poverty Volunteering and non-profit work is tough for an unemployed population.
16. Political Sanctions against Zimbabwe Blocked international sponsorship for our events.
17. Getting past our challenges
18. Crowdfunding for first PyCon Zimbabwe
19. Partnering with university personnel Access to students and staff who use or have potential to use Python.
20. International sponsorship/ support International organisations + individuals (sponsor conference tickets).
21. Learning from the community How others organise events, handle CoC issues etc.
22. Getting involved with the international community
23. DSF Membership Got nominated to join DSF membership in August 2016.
24. PyCon events in Africa PyCon Namibia PyCon South Africa
25. International Events Django: Under The Hood 2016 DjangoCon Europe 2017 PyCon Italia 2017 DjangoCon Europe 2018
26. DSF Code of Conduct Committee My first attempt at working with a remote team, on a volunteer basis.
27. Hired for remote position as Fundraising Coordinator. Django Girls Foundation
28. Running for 2018 DSF Board Nominated myself and later regretted it after seeing so many nominations.
29. Any personal benefits for me?
30. Exposure How to organise and run Python events. Develop Python skills.
31. Crucial Friendships Awesome friends around the globe.
32. Reputation and profile building Showing up when invited and being transparent helps people to trust you.
33. Employment Opportunities Meeting potential recruiters at conferences and online.
34. Mentors Meeting potential mentors at conferences.
35. Access to Resources Programming books donated or buying a few copies of my own through friends.
36. Volunteering in the open source community has no direct, tangible financial benefits...
37. … but it offers invaluable and immeasurable benefits which eventually result in economic benefit.
38. Questions???
39. Thank you! @amakarudze