Abbie: Hi Njoki, thank you so much for chatting to us about ElixirConf Africa. It would be great to learn more about it. Firstly, please could you give us an introduction to yourself?
Njoki: Hi Abbie, absolutely! I'm Njoki Kiarie, a software engineer at xMoney, living in Nairobi, Kenya. I'm a puzzle enthusiast who found the perfect fit in programming – it's like solving puzzles for a living!
Abbie: Can you tell us about your background in Software Development and your experience with Elixir so far?
Njoki: My software development journey started during my undergrad in computer science, dabbling in languages like PHP and Python. Fast forward to 2020, when I stumbled upon Elixir, a functional programming gem. Adapting from OOP to Elixir was a bit like learning a new dance, but once I got the rhythm, I was hooked. A quirky tidbit: I learned most of my Elixir basics from ElixirKenya, our local meetup, which is why community-building is close to my heart. I'm proof that community contributions are gold.
Abbie: How long have you been an organiser of ElixirConf Africa and how did that come about?
Njoki: It's been about three years since its inception in 2021. I was already helping with social media and communications for the BeamKenya meetup. When the idea for ElixirConf sparked during those gatherings, I couldn't resist being part of turning it into reality.
Abbie: Please could you give a brief idea of what’s involved in being an organiser?
Njoki: It's like adopting a passion project. Starting out, the excitement fuels you, but dedication keeps you going. I advise starting with something you're comfortable with like I did with social media. With time, you'll find yourself juggling various tasks – from speakers to logistics. Remember, you don't have to be an elixir guru from the get-go. Learning as you go is the secret.
Abbie: When is the next ElixirConf Africa event?
Njoki: Mark your calendars! The 4th ElixirConf Africa is set for June 19th to 23rd, 2024. And guess what? It's our first-ever in-person event, a real milestone!
Abbie: Elixir Safari sounds really exciting, are you able to tell us where it will take place & what will be involved?
Njoki: Picture this: a fusion of a wildlife safari and learning some Elixir. It's all going down in Kenya. Details are brewing, and once we're ready, the itinerary will be up for grabs.
Abbie: Can anyone join in with the event?
Njoki: Ab-so-lutely, Abbie! It's open season for anyone eager about Elixir, tech and good vibes.
Abbie: Are tickets available to buy yet? If so, where can they be purchased?
Njoki: Not yet, but we've got a waiting list.
Sign up here (https://elixirconf.africa/#email_section) to be in the know. Also, follow us on Twitter @ElixirConfAfric for updates!
Abbie: I understand you've previously spoken at events, how did you find that experience?
Njoki: It's a mix of excitement and conquering stage fright (virtual). I enjoy learning and sharing what I have learned. Virtual stages have been my playground so far. Oh, and I'm psyched about my upcoming in-person talk at Code Beam Europe, where I'll delve into building Elixir communities.
Abbie: Have you seen an increase in people following ElixirConf Africa?
Njoki: Yes, we have new people joining from different countries like Uganda, Zambia and South Africa. We have also seen a couple of campus students getting interested in learning Elixir as their first language (This removes the notion that Elixir is for Senior Developers).
Abbie: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on their journey with Elixir?
Njoki: Join a community of people learning and using Elixir. Dive into resources like ElixirSchool, Elixir documentation, and Exercism etc. Don't forget the magic ingredient: practice. Fire up iex and get hands-on. If you find a mentor on this journey even better.
Abbie: Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. We really appreciate it!
Njoki: Thank you Abbie, this was fun.
For more information on ElixirConf Africa, check out the links below -
Website