Greetings, fellow mappers! I am thrilled to share my journey as an Open Mapping Guru Validation Fellow. This fellowship, organized by the Open Mapping Hub Asia-Pacific, has been an enriching experience filled with learning, collaboration, and significant contributions to the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community.
My OSM Journey From Beginner to Advanced Mapper
My journey with OpenStreetMap began back in December 2021 during a training organized by the Geomatics Engineering Students’ Association of Nepal (GESAN). The collaborative spirit of OSM and its mission to create free, up-to-date maps for everyone instantly captivated me. Unlike other mapping services, OSM is a community-driven platform that offers unrestricted use, much like Wikipedia. Till then, I’ve started mapping my way around different parts of Nepal and have since expanded my efforts to encompass the global landscape. Over time, I became an active mapper, regularly contributing to the platform. The more I mapped, the more I realized the importance of accurate and up-to-date data, which led me to the Open Mapping Guru Fellowship. Last December, I learned about the Open Mapping Hub AP’s OMGuru Fellowship from a fellow colleague and luckly I got selected for the Validation track. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I am thrilled to have made a significant and tangible impact on the broader OSM community.
Becoming a Validation Fellow
In early 2024, I enrolled in the Guru Program of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) and learned about the OM Guru Fellowship. Intrigued by the Validation track, I applied and was fortunate to be selected. The Validation track focuses on ensuring the accuracy and reliability of map data, which is crucial for disaster response, humanitarian efforts, and other vital uses. The sense of purpose that comes from knowing my work helps create dependable maps for these causes has been deeply fulfilling.
Fellowship Experience
The OM Guru Fellowship was a transformative journey. I learned to use powerful validation tools such as OSMCha, Osmose, OSM Inspector and MapRoulette. These tools helped me conduct thorough quality checks and address errors precisely. Each task presented new challenges, keeping me engaged and continuously improving my skills as a validator. One of the most rewarding aspects of the fellowship was the collaborative environment. Working alongside other passionate mappers and validators from around the world was inspiring. The guidance and support from mentors like Mikko, Dinar, and Honey were invaluable, helping me navigate challenges and grow as a mapper.
Learnings and Achievements
The fellowship reinforced the power of collaboration in open mapping. Every validation task and discussion highlighted the collective effort needed to create high-quality maps. It’s humbling to be part of a global network of dedicated individuals working towards the same goal—an accurate and accessible map for everyone. My most significant achievement during the fellowship was improving the reliability and trustworthiness of OpenStreetMap. Every error I corrected and every validated data point contributes to making OSM a valuable tool for communities in need. This journey has taught me the importance of attention to detail, patience, and continuous learning.
Impact and Future Directions
The fellowship has had a profound impact on my perspective on open mapping. The skills I gained in problem-solving and critical thinking will be invaluable as I continue my mapping journey. Moreover, the fellowship opened doors to future collaborations with OSM communities worldwide. The connections I made and the knowledge I gained will help foster a more inclusive and comprehensive mapping community.
Lastly, this Fellowship has been an incredible experience, and I am deeply grateful to the Open Mapping Hub Asia-Pacific team for this opportunity. As I continue my journey with OSM, I am committed to using my validation skills to support communities and contribute to a more resilient future for all. This is just the beginning of my story with OpenStreetMap. Happy mapping!
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#OpenMapping #ValidationFellow #HumanitarianMapping #OSM #OpenMappingGuruFellowship #OpenStreetMap #HOT #OMHAP #OMGuru #OSMNepal #GESAN #YouthMappers Ashim Paudel's Diary | My OMGuru Fellowship Journey Under Validation Track
