Dear Apache Software Foundation Committee, I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to request support for organizing *Apache Meetup Kinshasa 2026* in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Apache Meetup Kinshasa 2026 is a community-driven technical event focused on open-source software development, distributed systems, and modern backend engineering within the Apache ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen local capacity in open-source technologies and foster active participation in global Apache projects. It will bring together software developers, students, engineers, researchers, educators, and technology enthusiasts in Kinshasa who are interested in scalable systems, cloud infrastructure, and open-source collaboration. Scheduled for *July 20, 2026*, in Kinshasa, the meetup is designed to provide a collaborative environment where participants can enhance technical skills, share knowledge, and build long-term professional and community connections within the Apache and broader open-source ecosystem. Objectives The meetup is designed to: - Promote awareness and adoption of Apache projects and open-source technologies in the Congolese technology ecosystem; - Strengthen practical skills in distributed systems, backend engineering, and cloud-native architectures; - Encourage contribution to Apache Software Foundation projects and global open-source communities; - Support capacity building through workshops, technical sessions, and peer learning; - Foster inclusive participation in open-source development across the DRC; - Establish a sustainable local community around Apache technologies in Kinshasa. Meetup Activities The program will include a combination of technical and community-focused activities, including: - Introductory and intermediate sessions on Apache ecosystem projects and tools; - Talks on distributed systems, scalability, and backend architecture; - Demonstrations of Apache technologies in real-world applications (data processing, cloud infrastructure, and web services); - Hands-on workshops and collaborative coding sessions; - Guidance on contributing to Apache open-source projects; - Networking sessions for developers, students, educators, and industry professionals; - Community discussions on long-term engagement with open-source ecosystems. Target Audience The meetup is intended for approximately *50 participants*, including: - Software developers and backend engineers; - University students and recent graduates; - Systems and cloud infrastructure engineers; - Open-source contributors and Linux enthusiasts; - Technology educators and researchers; - Startup founders and software entrepreneurs; - Individuals interested in distributed systems and open-source development. Expected Impact Apache Meetup Kinshasa 2026 aims to contribute to the growth of a stronger and more connected open-source ecosystem in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initiative is expected to: - Increase awareness and adoption of Apache technologies and open-source software; - Expand access to technical education in distributed systems and backend engineering; - Support the development of local mentorship and collaborative learning networks; - Encourage participation of Congolese developers in global Apache projects; - Create long-term opportunities for innovation and open-source contribution. Event Information *Event Name:* Apache Meetup Kinshasa 2026 *Date:* July 20, 2026 *Location:* Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo *Format:* In-person community meetup and workshop *Expected Attendance:* Approximately 50 participants *Participation Fee:* Free of charge Funding and Support The total budget required for organizing Apache Meetup Kinshasa 2026 is *USD 1,500*. This funding will support venue logistics, internet connectivity, participant materials, communication and outreach, audiovisual equipment, refreshments, volunteer coordination, and other essential operational costs required to deliver a successful community event. Additional support in the form of mentorship, technical guidance, educational resources, and visibility within the Apache ecosystem would significantly enhance the impact and sustainability of this initiative. Organizer Narcisse Mbunzama is a software developer, trainer, and technology community leader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and has more than six years of experience leading developer education and community initiatives as Lead of the DRC Developer Association. His work focuses on software engineering, distributed systems, open-source technologies, developer training, and community capacity building across the Congolese technology ecosystem. Contact 9, Av. Lutama, Q. Bianda, C. Mont Ngafula Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Tel: +243 842 774 438 E-mail: [email protected] [image: Mailsuite] E-mail suivi avec Mailsuite · Se désinscrire <https://u.list-prefs.com/en/privacy/opt-out/unsubscribe/87897cbbec20c2c3decd03a14bbcfe6f58aabc82/d3cefb9c426a377b85415e6ed511ace6b98ed44fca67b9619592d50f80a3f2e97956ef534b4f102e2de067b1d77486a6e3118db7390128c1fd09ee8b7df5974f> 30/06/26 00:17:50
