Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda/Events & Projects/Wikimania 2022/Hillary Mbaihayo

Welcome back from Wikimania 2022! Please write your report here. Once you have completed the application, please email the link to wikimania(_AT_)wikimedia.org (by 20 September 2022). If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email us.

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How did you attend Wikimania (virtually or in-person)?

I attended it virtually via the pheedloop app installed on my phone, using the link provided to watch it on my laptop and as well via the YouTube channel.

What did you spend the scholarship funds on?

I bought data bundles to enable me attend the sessions as well as snacks to get a bite in between sessions.

Takeaways – choose 3 specific Wikimania sessions you attended and describe your key take-aways per session.

1. Digital security basics Digital security basics was my overall best. The topic was well presented and broken down to be understood by everyone. The passwords we have always thought to be strong we actually discovered they are not. The training prompted me to change most of my passwords immediately and create a master password. I learnt new subjects such as doxing, social engineering and dictionary attack. My key takeaway from the session was to always ensure that I carry out safe browsing. 2. Art4Good Art4Good ranks well on my list as it helps people suffering with mental health. A recent report by ministry of health Uganda revealed that approximately 14 million Ugandans out of approximately 42 million suffer from mental health related disorders. The session appealed to me as it provides solutions to people on how to avoid falling into depression bi y painting away their pain. My key takeaway from this session was the reminder that we learnt to paint first before we learnt how to talk and I made a mental note to pay more attention to paintings that come my way to try and decipher the information behind the paintings. The other takeaway is to always find something to occupy me and avoid falling into depression and mental health related issues. 3. Education and partnership Education and partnership is yet another session that I truly enjoyed. My key takeaway from the session was that every child deserves every chance. Wikipedia has so much information that can be utilized by students and as well teaching them research skills and how to add to the depository 9wikepedia) of freely available knowledge.

How did you connect with other people during Wikimania 2022? How did you celebrate at Wikimania 2022?

My pheedloop did not work well thus I attended most of my sessions via YouTube. My greatest chance at interacting with other people was at the in person event held on the second day of wikimania2022. I was able to meet and interact with other people but notably were my two neighbours, a grants officer with whom we share similar passion for novels and libraries and a forex trader who has made it in a field where I failed miserably but promised to help me see the bright light of forex trading. I celebrated wikimania2022 with the kahoot quiz that taught us so much about Wikimedia and as a food lover, I cannot describe the celebration and forget about the heavy breakfast that we were served at the in person event followed by the three course meal (lunch). The chocolate cake shared completed the evening and like the meals before, the taste was heavenly.

(Optional) Please share link(s) to your social media post(s) about Wikimania