Two years ago, I was just like any other woman, navigating life's ups and downs. However, my journey took a transformative turn when I delved into the realm of Open-Source technologies. It was a catalyst that reshaped me into a leader, a strong individual, a skilled professional, a valuable resource, and a problem solver. Through hard work and dedication, my life took on a beautiful new form.

This International Women's Day 2024 marked a significant milestone as I was honoured with the prestigious "Women Champion in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion" award by the esteemed Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team(HOT) It was a momentous occasion, celebrating not just my achievements but the collective spirit of womanhood.

The path hasn't been easy, navigating through the myriad of restrictions and challenges imposed by society. Yet, with resilience and determination, I've embraced the ethos of independence and strength that defines a woman's journey. I take immense pride in being a woman and cherish the opportunities to make a positive impact.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Open Mapping community for acknowledging my contributions and efforts. Through my blog, I invite you to join me on this remarkable journey, where I share insights, experiences, and updates that inspire and empower. Together, let's continue to champion the cause of women and create a more inclusive and equitable world. 

Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

The journey of my geospatial specialist internship at the United Nations was an incredible and transformative experience. My path to this opportunity was marked by persistence and determination. After receiving the UN Mappers Award, I applied for this internship four times, facing rejection in the first three attempts. However, my perseverance paid off, and I was finally selected for an interview in October 2023. This six-month internship was unpaid, and only four interns from various countries were chosen to work remotely.

Many people questioned my decision to undertake an unpaid internship. My response was always that the experience gained was more valuable than monetary compensation. 

Throughout this internship, I encountered numerous challenges, particularly due to time zone differences. In addition to my internship responsibilities, I was also juggling my M.Sc. studies, YouthMappers work, and OM Guru duties, resulting in an incredibly tight schedule. Often, I managed only 2-3 hours of sleep per day. Despite facing sleepless nights, power cuts, poor internet connections, a demanding schedule, and the financial strain of my studies, I persevered through back pains and long hours of sitting. The lessons learned from this internship were invaluable.

During this period, I had the opportunity to master many open-source GIS and mapping tools. I was fortunate to receive guidance from exceptional mentors like Severin Menard, Michael Montani, and Rachela Amerini from the UN Mappers crowdsourcing team. These remarkable individuals taught me about advanced JOSM tools, validation techniques, spatial relations, and QGIS.

My time with the United Nations was enriching. I am grateful for the opportunity and believe this internship experience will be a significant milestone in my career journey. 

Stay tuned for more updates and journals as I continue to navigate this exciting path.

In early 2024, I received a thrilling email from the OpenStreetMap (OSM) Foundation: I had been chosen as a travel grantee to attend the State of the Map (SOTM) Global Conference in Nairobi, Kenya! It was a proud moment to be one of just eight scholars selected from the Asia-Pacific region. This opportunity was not just about attending a conference; it was a chance to represent my community and connect with mapping enthusiasts from around the world.

Preparing for a Journey Across Continents

I was initially a bit anxious about travelling alone from one continent to another. However, as the journey drew closer, I started making arrangements in August. A fellow mapper, Mr. Mikko Tamura, helped connect me with other Asian scholars. Through this, I gained four wonderful friends from the Open Mapping community in Asia who were also attending the conference.

In August, I began the preparations: I applied for an ETA, which I received within three days, and booked my flights and accommodations. One unique challenge was getting a yellow fever vaccination, which was required for entry into Kenya. Being from a malaria-free country, I had to search all over Colombo for a facility that provided it. After several inquiries, I finally received the shot at the Fort Health Center in Borella, along with four others waiting in line. Although a bit challenging, the experience taught me valuable lessons in patience and perseverance.

As the conference date approached, new health concerns around monkeypox added a bit of anxiety. But on the night of September 4th, I boarded my flight with excitement and curiosity. After a transit at Sharjah International Airport, I arrived in Nairobi the next day at 2 pm, greeted by a new culture, people, and opportunities.

First Day in Nairobi and Pre-Conference Gatherings

After settling in at the Nairobi Transit Hotel, I began to explore the city. That evening, all the Asia-Pacific participants gathered at a local restaurant. We shared stories over delicious Kenyan food, marking the start of an unforgettable journey. 

On September 6th, the first day of the conference, I joined the SOTM attendees at the University of Nairobi Towers. The day was filled with stimulating presentations, panel discussions, and lightning talks. I had the pleasure of meeting my OSM trainer, Mr. Severin Menard, from UN Mappers, as well as my geospatial internship supervisor. Connecting with them in person was a truly rewarding experience, and I left the day feeling inspired.

Presenting at SOTM: A Highlight of the Conference

The second day of SOTM featured an incredible range of presentations from various organizations and individuals. I posted my topic on the notice board for the afternoon lightning talks and had the chance to present my third international talk, titled "YouthMappers Activities and Growth in Sri Lanka (2021-2024)". Standing before an international audience and sharing our achievements as a YouthMappers community was an unforgettable experience. The encouraging feedback from fellow mappers made the moment even more special.

That evening, we enjoyed a memorable dinner organized by the SOTM team. We travelled to a jungle-themed restaurant by local Matatu, complete with lively African music. The night was full of games, awards, and delicious food—a true celebration of the Open Mapping community.

 Final Day and Exploring Nairobi

On the third day, I volunteered at the conference hall and attended more enlightening presentations. The conference concluded with the announcement of the 2025 SOTM location, which filled the room with excitement. Afterwards, I joined friends from the Asian community and a local friend, Mary, to explore Nairobi’s National Museum and a local market. Each moment offered a deeper appreciation of Kenya’s traditional culture and history.

Reflections and Final Thoughts

The SOTM Global Conference 2024 was a transformative experience. I gained invaluable knowledge, made connections, and felt proud to represent YouthMappers and OpenStreetMap on a global platform. A tip for future travellers to Nairobi: using Uber is affordable and convenient for getting around. Although I missed visiting the Nairobi National Park due to upcoming exams, I returned home on September 9th, carrying memories of the friendships and experiences shared with Robina, Pragya, Ibdheal, Ravi, and Mary.

YouthMappers and OpenStreetMap are not just about creating maps—they're about empowering leaders and building community. Stay tuned for my next travel story as I continue to explore and share our journey!

I am excited to share my remarkable OSM Guru journey through Open Mapping Hub Asia.

 This journey began in January 2024, filled with curiosity and anticipation. It has since given me wonderful recognition within the Open Mapping Community. I was selected for the Validations Track. Before embarking on this OSM Guru role, I had significant experience with mapping and OSM training, but I was relatively new to validation tools and techniques.

 Starting was a significant challenge for me, but I embraced it wholeheartedly because I thrive on new challenges. Every challenge teaches a valuable lesson, and this OSM Guru fellowship has strengthened my skills in OSM validations. Moreover, I have learned a plethora of new things in OSM. Throughout this journey, I had various tasks to complete. These included validation tasks in the Hot Tasking Manager, creating and solving challenges in Map Roulette, performing validations through Osmose and OSMCha, and engaging in changeset discussions on OSM forums.

 I have attached a link to the first project I created in Map Roulette: Highways Crossing Security Challenge. I decided to focus on ensuring the safety of highway crossings. Please take a look.

 The study materials and instructions provided were vital to my progress. The self-learning methods were especially intriguing, as my OSM journey began with self-learning. I am deeply grateful to our mentors from Open Mapping Hub Asia for their guidance. Thank you for this fantastic opportunity. Throughout this journey, all the gurus were incredibly supportive and positive. I want to specifically acknowledge Mikko and Dinar, who have been exceptionally generous and supportive. Thank you to everyone involved in this amazing journey. 

#OMGuru #OpenMappingHubAsia

My 2024 OpenStreetMap (OSM) journey has been nothing short of incredible. When the organizing process for State of the Map (SotM) Asia 2024 began, I was thrilled at the prospect of participating in this prestigious conference, which was held in the stunning coastal city of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

 The excitement started when I was selected as a Campus Influencer for SotM Asia 2024. In this role, I had the opportunity to raise awareness about the conference among YouthMappers chapters across the region. It was a fulfilling experience to engage with young mappers and spark their interest in contributing to the OpenStreetMap community.

 The journey didn’t stop there. I submitted a proposal to present at the conference, and to my delight, it was accepted. My presentation, titled "State of OpenStreetMap and Field Mapping Activities: Their Importance for the Future of Sri Lanka," was an exploration of the current field mapping initiatives, their significance for enhancing OpenStreetMap’s accuracy, the role of YouthMappers, and recommendations for future efforts.Despite my enthusiasm, I faced a setback. I was unable to attend the conference in person due to not receiving a travel grant. However, I was determined not to miss this opportunity. I delivered my presentation virtually on the second day of the conference. This was a new and enriching experience for me, as I navigated the challenges of connecting with an audience through a virtual medium.

 During my session, I highlighted:

• The current state of field mapping activities in Sri Lanka.

• The critical role of YouthMappers in promoting OSM.

• Recommendations for enhancing map accuracy and engagement within the community.

A highlight of SotM Asia 2024 was receiving the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Champion Award. This recognition, given to a mapper who promotes these values in the OpenStreetMap community in Asia, was a deeply humbling moment for me. Additionally, I received a certificate of recognition for my role as a speaker, marking another milestone in my OSM journey. As part of my participation, I also wrote my first article for an international conference. This was a significant achievement that allowed me to share my insights and experiences with a global audience. 

State of the Map Asia 2024 was a transformative experience, filled with learning, recognition, and new opportunities. It reinforced my commitment to advancing the OpenStreetMap community and leveraging field mapping activities to create a better future. I look forward to continuing this journey and hope to see you at SotM 2025!