Grant Application: 2024 Perl Hackathon Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Sun, 14-Jan-2024 by
Saif Ahmed
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We have received a Grant Application from Narcisse Mbunzama from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has a track record in AI and [Digital Security](https://sc23.supercomputing.org/2023/11/narcisse-mbunzama-combats-digital-disinformation-in-africa/). He has [previously](https://news.perlfoundation.org/post/grant_proposal_perl_camp_in_de) applied for grants. The grant applied for relates to a planned hackathon; although the timeline for funding looks tight, for the purposes of this appication may be ignored; the dates are flexible. Personally I do find that the Open Source Community benefits globally whatever our backgrounds and cultures. Open Source Programming in general helps to level the IT playing field, and Perl has a critically important role to play.
### Title:
**2024 Perl Hackathon Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo**
### Applicant:
**Narcisse Mbunzama**
### Synopsis:
The 2024 Perl Hackathon Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo is an initiative designed to bring together developers, students, researchers, and Perl enthusiasts for a collaborative coding event. The primary objectives of this project are to facilitate learning, address coding challenges, fix bugs, and encourage contributions to Perl libraries. Beyond the technical aspects, the event aims to foster the creation of an active Perl community within the DRC and to promote the use of Perl programming language in the country.
### Benefits to the Perl Community:
* Knowledge Exchange: The event will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange among Perl developers, students, and researchers, fostering a collaborative environment.
* Bug Fixes and Contributions: Participants will actively contribute to the improvement of Perl libraries by addressing bugs and making valuable additions, thereby enhancing the overall quality of Perl resources.
* Community Building: By bringing together Perl enthusiasts, the event will contribute to the establishment of a vibrant and active Perl community in the Democratic Republic of Congo, promoting ongoing collaboration and support.
* Perl Advocacy: Through the event, Perl's visibility and popularity will be increased in the DRC, potentially leading to broader adoption and usage in various projects and applications.
### List of Deliverables:
1. Event Documentation: Comprehensive documentation of the hackathon, including a summary of discussions, challenges addressed, and solutions proposed.
2. Bug Fixes and Contributions: A consolidated report detailing the bugs fixed and contributions made to Perl libraries during the hackathon.
3. Community Building Initiatives: A plan outlining strategies for sustaining and growing the Perl community in the Democratic Republic of Congo beyond the event.
4. Promotional Materials: Creation of promotional materials such as posters, banners, and social media content to generate awareness and interest in the Perl community in the DRC.
### Project Details and Proposed Schedule:
**Date**: February 13, 2024
**Location**: Kinshasa city, Democratic Republic of Congo
**Participants**: Over 40 developers, students, and researchers from various regions of the DRC
**Agenda**: The event will include coding sessions, discussions, and collaborative projects focused on Perl development. Keynote speakers and mentors will be invited to provide guidance and insights.
### Biography:
I’m the Director of the DRC Developer Association, based in Kinshasa, with a rich background encompassing over 10 years of experience in coding across various programming languages, prominently including Perl. My commitment to advancing the programming community is evident through the series of coding training sessions and meetups that I have consistently organized since
I have demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills in orchestrating a variety of tech events in Sub-Saharan Africa. My passion for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the tech community is reflected in the successful coordination of meetups, workshops, and hackathons.
With a deep understanding of Perl and its application in diverse programming scenarios, I’m wellpositioned to spearhead the 2024 Perl Hackathon Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My extensive experience in community engagement, coupled with a track record of organizing impactful events, makes me an ideal candidate to drive the initiative. My dedication to promoting tech education and building a strong developer community in the Democratic Republic of Congo is evident in my consistent efforts over the years. My leadership role in the DRC Developer Association underscores my commitment to advancing the programming landscape in the region. As the director of the DRC Developer Association, I’m poised to leverage my expertise and network to ensure the success of the Perl Hackathon Day, contributing to the growth of the Perl community in the Democratic Republic of Congo and fostering lasting connections among developers, students, and researchers.
### Requested Amount for Project Grant:
$5000 USD:
The requested grant will be allocated to cover venue costs, promotional materials, food and drinks, and any additional logistics required to ensure the success of the Perl Hackathon Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Comments (2)
I would like to see more Grants which will be focused on developing missing libraries on Perl and CPAN like library for duckdb or torch library.
I think the requested amount is too high, and instead could be spent on Core Development as done by Paul Evans and others.