Each quarter, we feature one of our all-star staff members in a Spotlight Series. Staff featured in this Series have been peer-nominated for their superb performance and values-driven work. This quarter, we spotlight Kennedy Jomokela, Project Associate at the Eastern and Southern Africa Hub.
What’s the most unique part about working at HOT?
One unique aspect of working at HOT is the opportunity to combine technology with meaningful social impact. HOT uses open-source mapping tools to create real-time, accurate maps that assist in disaster response, recovery, and development efforts, often in areas where data is limited or outdated through local community mapping initiatives. This approach has moved beyond just technical work; it seeks to highlight the importance of the community and knowledge sharing in ensuring that the technology gets implemented as well as understood and maintained by the community. The bridging of the gap between technological know-how and the knowledge of locals is what truly distinguishes HOT and makes HOT valuable and impactful in addressing global humanitarian challenges.
What attracted you to work at HOT?
Putting PEOPLE FIRST is one of the HOT values that caught my attention. This value not only speaks to my own values but also to my passion for applying technology for goodwill in positive social change, especially humanitarian efforts. What excited me most was the prospect of using geospatial solutions, mainly OpenStreetMap, as a mapping resource for places of disaster and areas that are underserved. In addition to this, what drew me in was the methodology HOT employs to build local communities through open, participatory mapping and capacity-building initiatives aimed toward getting communities to participate in activities preparing and responding to disasters. Since this aligns with my values of technology for social good and community engagement, HOT is, therefore, the best fit for my skills and aspirations.
If you could choose one word or phrase that sums up HOT, what would it be?
“Supporting communities through open mapping.”
What is your current role at HOT, and how has it evolved?
I currently serve as a Project Associate at HOT’s Eastern and Southern African (ESA) Hub. When I joined HOT in 2021, my work focused on supporting service delivery mapping and disaster response by creating and updating maps to aid emergency efforts. My role has progressed as time has gone by from just training mappers and contributors to doing more community-driven engagement and capacity support. I work very closely with local communities, project partners, and stakeholders in the different phases of project planning and implementation, supporting them in the use of open mapping tools and contributing to sustainability in mapping efforts. That is a change from not only being technically involved in mapping work to a more strategic role in advancing local ownership and long-term resilience in the communities I work with.
Kennedy joined the OpenStreetMap community in 2017 as a contributor at The University of Zambia and served as Publicity Secretary for the University of Zambia YouthMappers Chapter from 2018-2019.
What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on here?
The most interesting project I have worked on at HOT is the YEDA Climate on the Map project in Mundri West South Sudan. This project is ongoing, and it focuses on identifying climate-related risks and adaptation measures through community participatory mapping, where data generated by community members will be used to create real-time, detailed maps that guide local authorities and decision-makers to better prepare and respond to floods in Mundri West. This project is especially meaningful because it showcases the power of community involvement in open mapping initiatives, identifying already existing ecological adaptation systems and decision-making processes in disaster preparedness and response. This project is unique in that it is an opportunity in my personal career development to work in an environment that has a totally different geographical landscape and political space, and to understand the cultures and people in Mundri West of South Sudan and influence a cultural shift to open mapping initiatives in disaster preparedness and response.
What fulfills you about your role?
Fulfillment in my role comes from bringing positive social change at both a local and global level. There is really a lot of personal satisfaction from supporting communities to ‘own’ their mapping and knowing that the skills and tools provided improve service delivery for users, decision-makers, and disaster preparedness and response for both local authorities and the community. Besides this, connecting and supporting the local communities and seeing the beneficial changes that emerge from open mapping in humanitarian activities is another quality of my work. Furthermore, my role allows me to see firsthand how technology can bridge gaps and bring change for good, which is also very fulfilling.
What’s the motto you live by?
I live by the motto “Mastering my mind.” This refers to upholding a mindset of continuous learning, where I prioritize mental clarity, emotional intelligence, and remaining calm, especially when things are going well in my life.
What’s your favorite way to spend your day off?
I mostly spend it with family and friends, whether at home or outdoors, pursuing hobbies or simply relaxing to allow me to recharge both mentally and physically.
Learn more about Kennedy here.
Photos courtesy of Kennedy Jomokela
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