Funding WikiFundi

[Rogol Domedonfors]

WikiFundi is a software project to create an off-line Wikipedia editing environment for use in parts of the world where an always-on fast internet connection cannot be taken for granted. The software was designed by Florence Devouard and Isla Haddow-Flood, in collaboration with Wikimedia CH. It is also a project to roll out the software to school children in Africa through Wikipack Africa.

It isn't clear what the funding model is here. May we presme that the designers and implementers are being paid out of WMF grants, somehow? But that the children aren't?

It also isn't clear why this is what the children in Africa need. Given that they don't have an internet connection, how is the mission to deliver them all human knowledge advanced by teaching them to play at editing Wikipedia? Wouldn't it be better to use the money to get them access to that knowledge by sending them books? Or getting them that internet connection?

By the way, fundi is Swahili slang for "nerd" and rhymes with doom-pit, not with mum-die.

[Kingsindian]

According to the meta page:

The development of the software is supported by the Orange Foundation.

[Rogol Domedonfors]

"Supported" is not an exclusive term. How much is the WMF putting into the development by its former Board Chair? And the roll-out to the children in Africa? Who's getting paid to do that, how much, and by whom?

[Kingsindian]

No idea, sorry. I don't see anything on their webpage.

[Rogol Domedonfors]

No idea, sorry. I don't see anything on their webpage.

Well, that's my point ... not much transparency there.