Fellow Wikimedians,
Next week is Wikimania HK 2013. As you know I am the only one that applied this year for a scholarship. I got it and I was issued a visa at the 11th hour because of some lateness and misinformation.
HK has no embassy in Ghana so you transact through the Chinese. The Chinese as you all know were dealing with repatriation, embassy relocation, closure for weeks etc it has been hectic and it took mighty lot of effort and emails from Rex, WMF and WM HK to get my visa early enough to go next week. Even a personal phone call from WMF to immigration had to come in.
Long story short Wikimania London 2013 is coming. I thought a year was far off and it almost cost me my attendance. Don't let it happen to you. If you know you are interested, get your membership and contribution in good standing. Start thinking of the scholarship application but most importantly, familiarise yourself with what it takes to get a visit visa to the UK. Luckily they have an embassy here. But regardless, issues like bank statement is something you need to sort out on your own and WMF can't cover that in your scholarship. UK immigration determines such things.
I am glad to go discuss Africa and also paid editing among other things. If possible, I will get souvenirs for all of you like Oral did at Washington DC. Most importantly, I will pay attention to how already established chapters' representatives conduct themselves and any lessons they have to offer so I can share. Our group is still working for chaptership, such sharing experience is very critical.
When I arrive at the conference in good time to catch the issues applicable to us, I will share accordingly.
Do you have Wikimania London on your mind? Start preparing your case why you should be allowed to go, and start thinking about UK immigration requirements Because you can a get the scholarship and not get a visa. Without right positioning, you might not even get the award at all.
Regards,
Sandister Tei
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Writer | CEO @ Tei Ink | Wikimedian