HackWeakEnd - Driving real world solutions for real world problems

HackWeakEnd is a Youth Led, Social-impact, Tech-for-good Initiative focusing on impact and sustainability by using technology to solve issues affecting us as a people. It is about HACKing(creative problem solving) the WEAK-ENDS(socio-economic problems- we coined the word) affecting our society.
Our focus and work as a socially inclined initiative aligns to the tenets of the UNDP's Sustainability Development Goals in solving issues affecting sectors will go a long way in making our world a better place and achieving the goals set out. Our goal is to drive real world solutions for real world problems. We can not do this alone, it requires all of us coming together to achieve this.

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HackWeakEnd Technology Event 2020

The 2020 edition of HackWeakEnd Technology Event is co-organized by HackWeakEnd
Pointclick Technologies Ltd
VN Sync

The focus for 2020, the third edition, is on Financial Services Sector or what we call FinTech (Financial Technology - technologies that are used to improve and automate the delivery of financial services) and the theme is “Financial Inclusion, Opening up a New World of Opportunities”. It is imperative we look at the financial future of not just Gambia but the whole of Africa as a way to open up new doors and opportunities on the continent. The same topics of deliberations and actionable outcomes at the conference, will be used in building solutions at the Hackathon. Our focus is on contributing our quota and promoting SDG4, SDG8, & SDG9 of the UNDP's Sustainability Development Goals which focuses on quality education via [human capacity training Cloud, using VMware and software development training using Python programming language to help participants kickstart their career in technology, this in turn will lead to decent job creation and sector and industrial innovation in various sectors. We will be working with the Government, Fintech and Financial Services Sector experts e.t.c.
The 2020 edition will feature;

FINTECH CONFERENCE : Incisive and insightful FinTech conference to discuss issues relevant to Africa’s future.
Visit Conference Site
FINTECH HACKATHON : To build solutions to issues affecting financial services / take advantage of opportunities in FinTech.
HUMAN CAPACITY Training : Cloud Training uisng VMware + software development training using Python programming language for entry level enthusiats and mid-range technologists.

PAST EDITIONS

What is HackWeakEnd ?

HackWeakEnd, an initiative under the auspices of Open-Source Academy uses unique Hackathon¹ series and technology based events to solve issues affecting sectors in our society. We bring together tech people, industry/subject matter experts, stakeholders, students and enthusiasts to come up with compelling technological (hardware/software) and non-technological solutions to solve ills, issues and problems plaguing our societies. It is simply an initiative of using technology to “Hack²” the “Weak Ends³” over a Week end. As we know , technology is a driver of economies and sectors, for every non - tech solution, we will find ways of integrating technology into them, because sectors and industries that will thrive now and in the future are those that will successfully integrate technology into their processes. Our focus is in addressing and creating solutions to issues addressed in the UNDP's Sustainability Development Goals to make our world a better one to live in. Our goal is to drive real world solutions for real world problems.

1. Hackathon: Any event of any duration where people come together to solve problems.
2. Hack: Creative problem solving. (It does not have to involve technology).
3. Weak Ends: Socioeconomic issues affecting a society (we coined the word).

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Why HackWeakEnd?

Africa as a continent has many issues and problems affecting it. To create the Africa we envision, we have to collectively solve its issues.
Africa needs African solutions to Africa's many problems, because Africans know Africa better. As Africans, our destinies lie in our hands. We need to create solutions to our problems and not wait for outsiders to come in to profess and build solutions for us and then take the glory. The whole essence of “HackWeakEnd” is to make an impact in our societies by using technology and technology based events to build compelling technological and non-technological solutions to tackle the “Weak Ends” plaguing our societies.
As with its theme, "Hack the Problem, Create a solution, Impact our society", every year will be a unique event where the focus area will be different, this can be any industry e.g Education, Health, Fishing, Energy, Security, Farming etc. These focus areas will be based on societal issues that need quick solutions. HackWeakEnd will work with the Government, Organizations, Industry, Experts and Partners to come up with these yearly themes.

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Mission & Vision

Our mission is a collective social responsibility of bringing people together to hack issues and problems plaguing our societies.

Our vision is to see that lives are changed, communities are made better and impact is felt through the issues that will be solved.

Let's Get to Work

2020 Focus & Theme

The 2020 Edition of HackWeakEnd will focus on the Financial Services Sector or what we call FinTech (Financial Technology - technologies that are used to improve and automate the delivery of financial services) . To create the Africa we envision, we have to collectively solve its issues. While the financial services sector and the structures supporting it has grown exponentially in the last few years, it requires more. Increasing and Improving access to digital financial services such as savings, credit, investment, insurance, and retirement products in Africa will definitely elevate the standard of living across the continent, and help businesses thrive, become sustainable, and scale readily and easily outside the region. These can be achieved by helping the unbanked become bankable, by increasing access to quality, low-cost financial services in urban and rural areas. It will require solid foundations on which financial inclusion policies are built, and tackling low levels of financial literacy amongst emerging economies.
Date: TBD(after the pandemic)
Location: The Gambia.[Actual Venue TBD]

Getting more interesting?

Hack Sets

Hack sets are the focus areas in an industry which solutions will be based on. Every year, there will be different Hack Sets depending on the industry of focus. With support from the Government, Organizations, Industry, Experts and Partners e.t.c, the Hack Sets will be based on real life, visible issues and ills that need solutions. We are currently working with practitioners in Fintech & the Financial Services sector, technologists. We will also be working with the Government to finalize the themes for the 2020 Edition. They will be categorized into themes
Participants will be required to work on any of the Hack Sets or any other relating to it, once they are finalized.

Prizing for Top 3 Teams

As with every year's event, the benevolence of partners and sponsors go along way to meet the needs of our project. Our prizing is always designed to reward creativity and help push the top teams and their winning ideas to market/beneficiaries quickly , also looking at the right market fit.At this moment, we are open to sponsors and partners in this area.

Participation and Registration

Programme
Highlights of the technology event is the

FINTECH CONFERENCE : Incisive and insightful FinTech conference to discuss issues relevant to Africa’s future.
Visit Conference Site
FINTECH HACKATHON : To build solutions to issues affecting financial services / take advantage of opportunities in FinTech.
HUMAN CAPACITY Training : Cloud Training uisng VMware + software development training using Python programming language for entry level enthusiats and mid-range technologists.

Participation.
To participate in the hackathon as a solution developer or to attend the training, or you just want to see how Hackathons and tech events work, you are required to register.
Please use the appropriate link below

REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPENED FOR HACKWEAKEND 2020, PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER OR FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR REAL TIME UPDATES, THANK YOU.

HackWeakEnd Merchandise

Proceeds from the HackWeakEnd merchandise will go to a social cause to help push technology implementation in local communities.
Please support this social cause by buying.
Contact us to get your own custom HackWeakEnd merchandise, Thank you.

Partners & Sponsors

The generosity and love from partners & sponsors cannot be overemphasized and it is what is helping us achive our focus of driving real world solutions for real world problems.
We are open to partnerships and sponsorships for the 2020 event.

CO-ORGANIZERS

As with the saying, a tree does not make a forest, we are not doing this alone, we are co-organizing this event with Pointclick Technologies Ltd and VN SyncUK who are both professional organizers and leaders in their own domain to give you that wonderful technology event.