For years, it has been a challenge for the volunteers of the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group to meet, convene and even collaborate regularly because of the unavailability of accessible learning and coworking spaces within the area where the volunteers reside. Poor internet connection also adds on the struggle of a volunteer to actively participate in virtual activities. Whenever there is an offline meet-up, volunteers and organizers need to travel for almost a couple of hours to the city to be able to have a comfortable learning and sharing environment.Â
Recently, the WMF Community Resources Team approved a General Community Fund for the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group. This jumpstarted the User Group to deepen their commitment to expand knowledge and provide access to Wikimedia projects and other open-access educational resources. Volunteers decided to start building a network and serve their very own community, the Municipality of Pasacao. Through the General Community Fund, books and equipment donations from the User Group’s supporters and the service of their editing community, the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group established their first community learning hub at the center of Pasacao, Camarines Sur.
This learning space has a small library, medium-sized conference room and individual study area equipped with fiber internet connection. All equipment and resources are open to all residents of this area and Wikimedia enthusiasts. This also serves as the primary office of the User Group where they will conduct their planning of activities, monthly members meeting and training for any person willing to be an active Wikimedian.
On July 8, 2023, the User Group officially launched this learning space to the public and started accepting new volunteers and editors. As part of their launching, they also conducted their second monthly members meeting for this year to renew membership status and to update everyone of the User Group’s upcoming activities and campaigns.
According to most of the members and active volunteers, having this kind of facility will greatly help in their contribution as a Wikimedian and will bring greater impact to the learning experiences of the community.
The user group has clear goals set on their upcoming Wikimedia-related activities and community outreach to further embrace their mission of empowering communities , especially women, preserving language, promoting free and equal access to information, and broadening their scope of educating communities on environmental awareness and sustainability.