I’ve been hearing about Digital Public Goods (DPGs) for a while, especially from the Ministry of Communication and Technology’s Facebook updates, but never really took the time to learn what it’s all about. It was this recent call for DPG Discourse Community Moderators that finally pushed me to start looking into it.
One thing has really stood out to me as I’ve been reading around the topic, and honestly it saddens me. I’ve realised that it is those with the ability to code that can truly take advantage of digital public goods, especially open-source software and the reality is the vast majority of us young people that are venturing into tech lately, lack the ability. And this is true for even those that are computer science students. At the end, we just become passive users instead of active contributors. It’s like we are being handed the blueprint to build anything we want, but not knowing how to read it.
This makes me think: if we’re serious about digital inclusion, we need to go beyond just providing access to tools. We need to equip people with the skills to use those tools meaningfully. That means prioritizing coding education, especially for young people in countries like ours. Open-source is powerful, but its true potential is only unlocked when more of us know how to build with it.
Hi @salamymoody thank you very much for looking into it.
You’re absolutely right that expanding coding knowledge will help unlock even more value from Digital Public Goods, but it’s worth noting that you don’t need to know how to code to contribute to the DPG mission.
There are so many other impactful roles:
Creating documentation or content around using these tools, or even finding issues and suggesting ways to programmers for localisation
Designing user interfaces and graphics
Translating or localising content into local languages
Testing and giving feedback on tools
Running awareness campaigns and community events
That said, if coding interests you, there are plenty of opportunities to start learning, even from scratch. Are you currently in college or out of college?
There are Digital Learning Hubs around, as well as programs like the Christeix Foundation’s engineering and design classes, where you can get hands-on experience.
Whatever your skillset today, there’s space for you in the DPG community. The goal is to build together, and that includes coders and non-coders alike.
@Techlinkus runs very good programming classes at IPAM, @x10 can guide you to Christex foundation for design and software engineering classes, or if you are in the provinces, let me know so I can provide guidance too for you on that
Hello @8086 I’m out of college. Graduated this year. I’m interested in coding, as I’ve come to realise it’s significance. I will say those with the ability to code are the backbones behind every tech tool we enjoy today, so being able to write code and create programs will always be in-demand no matter the influx and of AI and no-code tools. However, after graduation, I’ve decided to step into Project management. I’ve been privileged to work with some entrepreneurship focused organisations during my time in college, and that was what sparked my interest in tech. But now that I’m out of college I’m more drawn towards project management.
My aspiration to code still remains intact though and I will see to it that I know one programming language at least.
Please feel free to dive in, the community will be here to support you through the journey. The successful executions and the bugs lolzzz. I will recommend you look into either JS or Python. Choose one and run with it, depending on what you want to build.
Speaking of that, what would you like to build either way?
I will build my startup right away. It will be a freelance platform like Fiverr where recent university graduates can offer professional services on a gig basis.
The idea is to help them build the relevant experience and expertise in their respective careers while earning income.
