Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Fortunatus Ogwachi . I am a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri, Kenya. My academic and professional journey revolves around a deep passion for Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Cartography.
How did you know about UN Mappers? How’s your experience with the Youth Climate Mapping Externship?
I first discovered UN Mappers through my active involvement in the OpenStreetMap community and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) Tasking Manager. Engaging with the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Hub Validator Fellowship exposed me to various global mapping initiatives. My experience with the Youth Climate Mapping Externship has been incredibly enriching and aligns perfectly with my career and skills development journey. It has deepened my understanding of how open-source geospatial data directly supports climate resilience.
Why do you enjoy mapping? What are your motivations?
I enjoy mapping because it bridges the gap between complex spatial data and real-world problem-solving. My primary motivation stems from the tangible impact that accurate geospatial data can have on local communities. When I map—whether I am digitizing building footprints or validating data through JOSM—I know I am contributing to a global repository of open knowledge that can guide sustainable development and save lives during crises. I am also highly driven by personal milestones; for instance, I set a target to map 100,000 buildings on OpenStreetMap by the end of 2026. Watching that daily progress keeps me highly motivated. Ultimately, seeing how open data empowers decision-makers fuels my dedication to the geospatial field.
When do you map? (Weekends, free time, in your working time?)
As a student and active contributor, I integrate mapping into both my dedicated free time and my academic routine. I typically dedicate my weekends and evenings to focused digitizing and validation tasks on the HOT Tasking Manager.
In which countries do you map the most?
Kenya.
As a new mapper yourself, do you have any tips or advice to new contributors? If yes, please share!
Consistency and patience are key. Start with the basics using the iD editor, but do not be afraid to transition to JOSM once you feel comfortable—it significantly speeds up workflows and offers powerful plugins for data quality and validation. Always read the specific instructions for each Tasking Manager project carefully, as tagging conventions and imagery sources vary. Finally, connect with the community; joining training sessions and seeking feedback from experienced validators is the best way to improve your accuracy and confidence as a mapper.
Would you like to collaborate with us?
We are happy to host mapping activities with the community! Feel free to contact us for collaboration proposals and invitations through social media or by email: un.mappers@un.org
Check our upcoming events and mapathons here!
Become a UN Mapper!
You can contribute to our active mapping through the HOT Tasking Manager, and learn about open geospatial information in support of the United Nations through our UN Maps Learning Hub.