My Experience at GitHub Field Day Kigali
Exactly a week after my voyage to GitHub Constellation, I embarked on a trip to Kigali, Rwanda, for the very first time to attend GitHub Field Day—a regional unconference for leaders of technical student communities. Field Day brings together student leaders from different regions to connect, share experiences, learn from one another’s successes and mistakes, and solve common challenges.
For the first time in the region, all GitHub Campus Experts (GCE) from Southern Africa gathered at a central location, making it a truly monumental event.
Day 1: Friday, November 22
I landed in Kigali at 10 a.m., brimming with excitement about meeting many of my fellow Campus Experts in person for the first time. However, my enthusiasm was slightly dampened upon learning that my luggage had been misplaced during my layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The airline promised to recover it by evening, so I carried on with my day.
At the airport, I met Trevor, a GCE from Uganda who had arrived around the same time. We shared a cab to our respective accommodations. After spending the afternoon freshening up and resting at my motel, I headed to AmaliTech—the venue for GitHub Field Day Kigali.
That evening, AmaliTech hosted a weekly meetup called "Tech-Tab," where GCEs were given slots to share their community building experiences. Alex from Tanzania coordinated the session, Clifford from Kenya gave an engaging talk on open source and its significance, and I shared a short anecdote about the importance of collaborating with non-technical people to find inspiration for project ideas.
The event was a great success, allowing Campus Experts to network and bond, as though we had known each other for years despite meeting in person for the first time. Afterward, I returned to the airport with a new friend, Pritchard (originally from Zimbabwe), who kindly accompanied me while giving me a mini tour of Kigali. Thankfully, I retrieved my luggage and headed back to my motel, ready for the big day ahead.
Day 2: Saturday, November 23
By 7:30 a.m., the team had gathered at the venue to set up for the event. Fourteen Campus Experts from seven countries joined forces, with Kevin from Rwanda serving as our resident host and lead organizer. AmaliTech staff also lent their support to ensure everything ran smoothly.
Registration began at 9 a.m., with attendees arriving full of anticipation. Each GCE had a role to play:
Munira (Somalia) managed coordination and media to ensure the event’s success.
Trevor (Uganda) handled audio/visual setups and served as the event DJ.
Alex (Tanzania) and Brayan (Kenya) were the charismatic masters of ceremony, keeping the schedule on track alongside Kevin.
Lucky (Nigeria), Bunmi (Nigeria) and Allan (Kenya) welcomed attendees and managed registration.
Hope (Kenya), Juma (Kenya) and Phylis (Kenya) organized swag and giveaways.
Rasheed (Nigeria), Clifford (Kenya), and Sidow (Somalia) refined slides and oversaw the event’s general flow.
The event began with a keynote by Kevin, followed by a vote of thanks from an AmaliTech representative. AmaliTech, a company with operations in Germany, the US, Ghana, and Rwanda, bridges global tech talent with international markets. Their partnership was instrumental to the event’s success.
Breakout Sessions and Fireside Chats
Breakout sessions were moderated by Lucky, Clifford, Phylis, and Allan. These discussions encouraged attendees to share ideas on improving community inclusivity, engagement, and diversity.
A fireside chat, moderated by Rasheed, featured myself, Hope, Trevor, and Bunmi sharing our experiences as GCEs and insights into building impactful communities. It was inspiring to hear how the program has shaped careers across various tech domains.
Rasheed concluded with a motivational talk about the power of open-source communities, leaving the audience energized.
Post-Event Activities
After the event, we interviewed attendees to gather feedback and recorded a short group video showcasing the countries represented by the GCEs. Despite the video’s brevity (just 20 seconds), it took an hour to perfect!
The day ended with a shared dinner at a local Somali restaurant, where we enjoyed great food and even better company.
Day 3: Sunday, November 24
After an exhausting but rewarding Saturday, I had a slow morning. Meanwhile, my colleagues participated in Kigali’s Car-Free Day, running through the city and visiting BK Arena. The day was dedicated to team-building, which included activities like sightseeing and games.
In the afternoon, I joined the group at Fazenda Sengha, a recreational venue where we tried archery, zip lining, paintball, and horse riding.
Later, we bought ingredients and cooked dinner together at one of the motels, deepening our bonds while sharing cultural experiences.
Day 4: Monday, September 25
My final day in Kigali was quieter, with only a few GCEs remaining. Munira organized a visit to Norrsken House Kigali, Africa’s largest hub for entrepreneurship. We toured the impressive co-working space and later met Munira’s friend, who works at InstaDeep, an AI-driven software solutions company. The visit was both enlightening and inspiring.
After a quick stop to pick up souvenirs, we headed to the airport for our departures, bidding a bittersweet farewell to Kigali.
Key Takeaways
Collaborating with non-technical people brings unique perspectives to problem-solving.
Focusing on the specific needs of your audience fosters inclusivity and community growth.
Tech communities can span beyond programming to include fields like product management and cybersecurity.
Building connections within Africa is relatively straightforward, as shared challenges foster solidarity.
GitHub Field Day Kigali was an unforgettable experience. It not only deepened my appreciation for the GitHub Campus Experts program but also reinforced the importance of community building in tech. From engaging sessions to team-building activities, every moment was a testament to the power of collaboration. To my fellow Campus Experts: keep fostering open-source innovation and building inclusive communities. The work you do truly makes a difference!
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