GroundTruth Initiative

Map Kibera

Erica Hagen * Mikel Maron

photo: http://gallery.me.com/dbullington#100816&view=null&bgcolor=black&sel=12

GroundTruth Initiative, LLC

We help communities use digital media, mapping, and open data tools

for greater influence and representation in development and democracy.

What we do:

Train in creative use of new technologies for data collection and storytelling (mapping, video, mobile, web)

Engage with specific geographic communities in-depth

Support open, accessible information for action

Why we do it:

Local communities are the most reliable, important knowledge-holders for development and political engagement.

Participatory and open technologies and media are key to amplifying voices and increasing influence.

Why we are here:

We love doing this, and want to do more.

Maybe in collaboration with you.

Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya… ~ 250,000 people, 2.5 km2

…was a blank spot on the map

This is all the media shows about Kibera…

GroundTruth starts Map Kibera pilot project to help Kibera people get “on the map”

Three projects evolved to create rich information resources by and for the Kibera residents.

Screenshots of three projects? VoK, KNN, the Map?

* The Mappers The Mappers: 13 Kibera youth

OpenStreetMap Global Collaborative Mapping

“like Wikipedia for Maps”

What did they collect?:

•  water points •  public latrines •  medical clinics •  informal schools •  churches/mosques •  video shops •  salons •  community organizations •  tons more

PHOTO of the guys out with GPS around neck

Kibera Map Today

The Densest Map Ever?

Citizen Journalism

Content chosen/edited by Kiberans (not us)

Using available and accessible technology

Focus on getting stories out there, not fitting professional quality standards – building the Supply

Voice of Kibera: Mapped citizen reporting www.voiceofkibera.org

•  Community website for sharing info relevant to Kibera residents

•  News, videos, and SMS

•  Reports are mapped on the Map Kibera map

Community News Site

Editorial Board

Reports

Reports

Promotion

Kibera News Network (KNN) www.KiberaNewsNetwork.org

Need photo here of the guys out on a shoot…

Some KNN video topics:

-  Landslide in Kibera -  Fire outbreak -  Profiles of local artists, clothing designers, musicians -  Protest over anti-Muslim schoolteacher -  Stray monkey entertains Kibera -  Kibera from a dog’s perspective -  HIV positive woman’s story -  Christian basketball tournament -  Railway line evictions

Example: Referendum Reporting

Example: Referendum Reporting

Thematic Mapping:

Health Education

Water/Sanitation Safety

Engaged and skilled young citizens. Strong slum-tech links. Information sharing platforms.

Map Kibera Trust

Map Kibera Outcomes

Map Kibera Partnerships

Institute for Development Studies PLAN Kenya Hivos/Omidyar UN Habitat Youth Fund Ushahidi

Onwards: Careful Replication vs Scaling Up

Currently: Map Mathare

Mathare is the second largest slum in Nairobi

Photo: Life in Abundance International, Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/28477230@N04/

Mathare:

Insert screenshot of Mathare Valley blog, and new map, ?

Currently: IDS Research

Participatory Development and Participatory Technology

Research that helps us too

Community data collection risks being an extractive process.

Key Lessons:

Participation and empowerment are still only buzzwords most of the time.

(and therefore so is democracy…)

Key Lessons:

Stay agile. Experiment small and adapt to every context. Artisanal Development.

Key Lessons:

Map Kibera Lessons and Challenges

Donors favor silos, and duplication.

Map Kibera Lessons and Challenges

NGO fatigue. (The world is getting smarter)

Map Kibera Lessons and Challenges

Volunteerism conflicts with local economics;

NGOs distort the economy

Map Kibera Lessons and Challenges

Technology is easy. Social change is still the most important and hardest part.

Need images here from Haiti projects, COSMHA and C-Haiti or whatever, Noula…

GT Next Directions: Haiti? From emergency mapping to sustained, comprehensive

community information

Build global Citizen Journalism

More grassroots Mapping

More small pilots and research

Building the Information Commons

GT Next Directions: (What we’d like to do)

… budget tracking, Yelp for international development, feedback and monitoring of projects, human rights online activism, strengthening the media…

GT Next Directions: (What we’d like to do)

Thanks! contact@groundtruthinitiative.org @ricaji, @mikel, @mapkibera

groundtruthinitiative.org mapkibera.org voiceofkibera.org kiberanewsnetwork.org