That moment stuck with me. It wasn’t just about fixing a broken radio — it was the spark that ignited my curiosity. I wanted to break things apart, figure out how they worked, and put them back together.

Growing up in a city without a thriving tech community, I had no clear path into software development. Online tutorials felt distant and impersonal — I craved hands-on experience, a space to tinker and learn by doing. That’s what eventually led me to open source: a world where people build together, share their work freely, and invite others to improve it.

This blog is about that journey — the challenges of sustaining local tech communities and how Fedora can help shape the future of open-source innovation, especially in Africa.

From an Idea to a Movement

My journey in tech didn’t begin with coding — it started with a vision. I wanted to build a platform that provided opportunities for economically disadvantaged students in Nigeria. At the time, I had no technical skills — just a deep sense of purpose. Undeterred, I assembled a team of developers and product managers to bring my vision to life.

I later co-founded Internapp Africa, a platform connecting young talents to internships and mentorship. Even then, I led with strategy and vision rather than hands-on coding.

When the pandemic hit, I had time to rethink my direction. I pivoted to product design, then web development, and never looked back. My growing passion for tech caught the attention of Gülcan Yayla, CEO of Rise.In, and Sude Özkan, Digital Marketing Manager, who shared my story. Their recognition gave me the confidence to push further.

Discovering Open Source and Creating The CodeInn

As I advanced in software development, I discovered open source — a world where software isn’t just used but actively improved by the community. This fascinated me.

When I moved to Lagos to attend an ITSkillsCenter bootcamp, I created The CodeInn, a community of developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts dedicated to knowledge-sharing and innovation.

At The CodeInn (now with over 450 members), we tackled challenges in open-source community-building by:

• Helping contributors build real-world projects and recognizing the best of them.

• Using open-source tools in our community projects, reinforcing the value of open collaboration.

While The CodeInn has evolved, the need for support in local open-source communities continues to grow. Fedora has a unique opportunity to support and expand these efforts, especially in regions where open-source engagement is still gaining momentum.

Beyond that, I started making my own contributions by publishing free modules on the NPM registry, ensuring they remained open for further development. I also wrote two books:

• Data Structures and Algorithms for All Programmers – Read in over 50 cities worldwide.

• Mastering Database Design: A Comprehensive Guide to SQL and NoSQL – Helping developers design efficient database systems.

Additionally, I built two open-source VS Code extensions:

• Codepath – A tool that visualizes codebases for easier onboarding and navigation.

  

• WriteFedora – A Fedora document helper with Vale linting, Asciidoc previews, and starter templates to streamline documentation.

  

These contributions were my way of giving back to the ecosystem that had given me so much.

The Challenges of Spreading Open Source Awareness

Despite my enthusiasm, I quickly realized that open source was misunderstood by many developers. Some saw it as just "free software," never considering the importance of active contribution. Others hesitated to participate, unsure where to start.

Key Challenges:

• Lack of Sponsorship – Many companies prioritize commercial tech, making it difficult to fund hackathons, meetups, and community-driven events.

• Limited Publicity – Open-source initiatives struggle to gain visibility, leading to lower engagement.

• Lack of Clear Entry Points – Many new developers don’t know how to contribute to open-source projects.

These barriers slow down adoption, making it harder for open-source communities to thrive.

How Fedora Can Help Grow Local Open Source Communities

Fedora has a unique opportunity to support and expand open-source communities in Africa. Here’s how:

1. Micro-Grants for Events
   A small budget goes a long way for a local community meetup in places like Lagos. Even $1500 can cover:

   • Snacks and refreshments

   • Internet costs

   • Venue rentals

Fedora could provide micro-grants to support hackathons, and study groups.

2. Collaborative Hackathons
   Organizing Fedora-focused hackathons can bring in new contributors. Imagine challenges like:

   • “Improve GNOME for African users” – With real-world use cases.

   • Prizes: Fedora laptops, swag, or conference tickets.

These events could help developers learn and contribute at the same time.

3. Amplifying Local Success Stories
   Highlighting open-source communities in Fedora Magazine could inspire others and attract sponsors. Featuring groups like SheCode Africa or other local initiatives could encourage more developers to join Fedora’s mission.

4. Mentorship & Speaker Support
   Fedora contributors could mentor local leaders or speak at African tech events to bridge the knowledge gap.

5. Partnerships with Local Organizers
   Fedora could work with established open-source event planners to grow its presence and impact in Africa.

Conclusion – A Call to Action

Open source transformed my life — it provided the tools, the community, and the opportunities to build, learn, and give back. However, many local communities, especially in Africa, still face challenges around funding, mentorship, and engagement.

Fedora can be a catalyst for change by:

• Investing in Local Leaders – Supporting local leaders who understand regional challenges can drive long-term, sustainable growth in open-source communities.

• Adapting to Regional Realities – By recognizing the unique needs of different regions, Fedora can make open-source participation more accessible, especially in places where resources are limited.

• Celebrating Local Wins – Recognizing and amplifying local successes can inspire others to join the movement, fostering a sense of pride and motivation.

With these efforts, Fedora can help nurture vibrant open-source ecosystems, especially in regions like Africa, where the potential for growth is enormous.

Have you faced similar challenges in open source? Share your experience in the comments — let’s build a stronger, more connected community together! 🚀

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Outreachy and How It Works

2. Preparing for the Application Phase

3. The Initial Application Phase

4. Contribution Phase – The Most Important Step

5. Joining and Engaging with the Community

6. Submitting the Final Application

7. The Internship Phase – What to Expect

8. Final Thoughts: Lessons from Experienced Applicants

Are you interested in applying for the Outreachy internship program but unsure where to start?

This guide will walk you through every step, from understanding what Outreachy is to maximizing your chances of getting selected.

Outreachy provides remote, paid internships in open-source projects for people from underrepresented groups in tech. The program runs twice a year (May-August & December-March) and is open to applicants worldwide.

By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear roadmap to navigate the application process successfully.

1. Understanding Outreachy and How It Works

Outreachy is a diversity-focused internship program that provides opportunities for individuals facing systemic bias in the tech industry. Interns work remotely with open source organizations and receive mentorship throughout the program.

Key Features of Outreachy:

✅ Open to beginners and experienced contributors.
✅ No formal degree or prior open-source experience required.
✅ Paid internship (~$7,000 USD stipend).
✅ Remote, flexible working hours.
✅ Open to developers, designers, writers, researchers, and more.

🔗 Official Website: https://www.outreachy.org

Why Apply for Outreachy?

• Gain real-world experience in open-source projects.

• Work with experienced mentors.

• Expand your professional network.

• Get paid while contributing to impactful projects.

Outreachy Timeline: Key Phases

2. Preparing for the Application Phase

Before applying, familiarize yourself with Outreachy:

• Read Outreachy's official website and FAQ section.

• Subscribe to their mailing list to get reminders about deadlines.

• Follow Outreachy on Twitter/X and LinkedIn for real-time updates.

• 📺 Watch previous interns share experiences on YouTube: Watch now!

3. The Initial Application Phase

During this phase, you'll answer a few questions to determine your eligibility. The most crucial part is writing four short essays (~200 words each).

Essay Questions (Examples from Outreachy)

1. How are you underrepresented in tech?

2. What systemic bias would you face in your country’s tech industry?

3. Does your learning environment lack diversity?

4. What discrimination have you faced while learning tech?

Tips for Writing Strong Essays:

✅ Be honest and specific about your experiences.
✅ Provide real-life examples of bias or discrimination you’ve faced.
✅ Keep it concise but impactful — 200 words per essay isn’t much!
✅ Write your essays in Google Docs or another text editor first, then copy and paste when submitting.

ⓘ The YouTube guide below will help you create a strong initial application.

💡 Pro Tip: Also watch this video for essay tips: How to write a great Outreachy essay application

⏳ Submission Tip: Apply early! Outreachy applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so don’t wait until the last day.

4. Contribution Phase – The Most Important Step

Once your application is accepted, you enter the Contribution Phase (28-30 days). This is where you prove your ability to work with an open source project.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Browse available projects on the Outreachy website.

2. Pick a project that aligns with your skills and interests:

   • Check the required skills and see if they match your expertise.

   • Look for projects related to your long-term career goals.

   • Consider past experiences: Have you worked with a similar tech stack before?

3. Read the project description carefully (some projects have specific requirements).

   🛠 Contribution Types Include:

   • Writing code (Python, JavaScript, Java, etc.).

   • Creating designs (UI/UX, illustrations).

   • Writing documentation (technical writing).

   • Conducting user research.

💡 Pro Tip: You can contribute to multiple projects, but prioritize quality over quantity. Some projects have issue trackers. Start with 'Good First Issues' to get familiar.

4. Join the Project’s Community:

   • Introduce yourself, but don’t stop there — stay active!

   • Attend community calls or town halls (some happen every 2–3 weeks).

   • Read the project's documentation and roadmap.

Keep going! In the next step, you'll learn more about the contribution phase and how to stay active in your chosen project.

5. Joining and Engaging with the Community

Every project has a communication channel (Slack, Matrix, GitHub, etc.).

Best Practices for Community Engagement

• Introduce yourself properly. Example:

  “Hi, my name is [Your Name]. I’m an open-source enthusiast and software engineer excited to contribute to this project!”

• Read pinned messages & documentation before asking questions.

• Engage actively: Ask thoughtful questions, help others, and show initiative.

• Follow community guidelines and be respectful.

💡 Watch: How to communicate effectively in open source communities

Record your Contributions

• To be considered for the internship phase, you are required to record a contribution while working on community projects.

  

• To view your recorded contributions, go to your dashboard and click the “My Participation” button, as shown in the image below. This will display all your contributions across different projects.

  

• Ensure you submit your final application before the contribution phase deadline. Additionally, you’ll need to write essays on the following topics (don’t worry, Outreachy offers tips to help you):

  1. Past experience with this community.

  2. Past experience with other communities.

  3. Relevant Projects.

  4. (Optional) Please describe which Google Summer of Code communities and projects you are applying for, and provide mentor contact information.

  5. Outreachy internship project timeline.

Note: You must record and submit a final application for every project you contribute to in order to be considered for the internship phase.

6. Submitting the Final Application

At the end of the contribution phase, you need to submit a final application for each project you contributed to.

Final Application Checklist:

✅ List your contributions (code commits, designs, documentation, etc.).
✅ Write the required essays (similar to the initial phase).
✅ Submit before the deadline!

⚠️ Important: If you don’t submit a final application, you won’t be considered for the internship.

7. The Internship Phase – What to Expect

If selected, 🎉congratulations! You’re now an Outreachy intern!

What Happens Next?

✅ You’ll have an internship orientation to meet mentors and learn project expectations.
✅ You’ll work closely with your mentor on a structured timeline.
✅ You’ll have weekly check-ins and progress updates.
✅ You’ll document your learning through blog posts.

💼 Real-world experience: Your work will be used by real people in open source communities!

If not selected, don’t be discouraged! Many successful Outreachy interns applied multiple times before getting accepted. Keep contributing to open source, and apply again!

8. Final Thoughts: Lessons from Experienced Applicants

Key Takeaways:

• Start early – The contribution phase is intense.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions – Outreachy is designed to help you learn.

• Quality over quantity – A few well-done contributions are better than many rushed ones.

• Be persistent – If you don’t get selected, try again next round!

The Most Valuable Part of Outreachy?

Even if you don’t get selected, you will:

• Build technical and communication skills.

• Gain confidence in working with open source communities.

• Expand your professional network.

The Current Outreachy Program Has Ended. What Should You Do?

1. Subscribe to Outreachy updates for future cycles.

2. Start exploring open source projects and continue contributing.

3. Apply again with confidence!

Your Outreachy journey starts now!

👉 Have questions? Drop a comment below or reach out to me!

1️⃣ Fedora is Like a Sneak Peek into the Future

Ever wondered where Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) gets its cool new features? Yep, Fedora is the testing ground! It’s where all the magic happens before things go mainstream.

2️⃣ It’s Not Just One Fedora—It’s a Family! 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

Fedora comes in different flavors depending on what you need:

• Workstation (for everyday users)

• Server (for tech wizards)

• Silverblue (for people who love stability)

• IoT & CoreOS (for the next-gen geeks)

3️⃣ Fedora is ALL About Open-Source Goodness!

If you love free and open-source software, Fedora is your best friend. Unlike some other Linux distros, Fedora keeps things 100% open — no sneaky proprietary software here!

4️⃣ Wayland? Fedora Did It First!

Before other Linux distros jumped on the Wayland train, Fedora was already driving it. It replaced the old-school X11 display server with Wayland for better performance and security.

5️⃣ The GNOME 3 Revolution Started with Fedora

Remember when GNOME got a total makeover? Fedora was one of the first to ship GNOME 3 as its default desktop environment. Love it or hate it, Fedora made it happen!

6️⃣ The Fedora Community is Like a Big Open-Source Party 🎉

Fedora isn’t just made by Red Hat—it’s shaped by an awesome global community! There’s even a Fedora Community Council where contributors help decide its future.

7️⃣ Fedora Keeps You on Your Toes with Frequent Updates!

Unlike some distros that take their sweet time, Fedora rolls out a new version every 6 months, with support lasting about 13 months. You’ll always have the latest and greatest features!

8️⃣ YUM is Gone, Say Hello to DNF!

If you’ve been using Linux for a while, you might remember YUM. Well, Fedora replaced it with DNF, which is faster, smarter, and just overall better at handling software updates.

9️⃣ GNOME Not Your Thing? Fedora’s Got Options!

Fedora offers Spins, which come with different desktop environments like KDE Plasma, Xfce, Cinnamon, LXQt, and more. So, no matter your vibe, Fedora has a version for you.

🔟 Fedora is Community-Driven — And You Can Be a Part of It!

One of the coolest things about Fedora? Anyone can contribute! Whether you’re a developer, designer, writer, or just a Linux fan, there’s always a way to get involved.

Fedora is more than just an OS — it’s a constantly evolving, community-powered adventure! 🏆 Are you using Fedora? What’s your favorite thing about it? Drop your thoughts below! 👇😊