Merge pull request #29 from Johnpatrick2/add-blogpost-md

blog post 1 & 2

Author: MoralCode

_posts/2025-05-06-jp7914-blogpost.md

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+---
+layout: post
+categories: 
+- Contribution
+author: John Patrick 
+---
+
+
+# My First Open-Source Contribution: Improving Documentation for Ramani Huria
+
+## Introduction
+
+Contributing to open-source projects can feel daunting, especially when you're unsure where to begin. This was exactly how I felt when I decided to make my first contribution. I chose to support the [Ramani Huria](https://github.com/RamaniHuria) project because it provides vital geographical data for East Africa, a region that greatly benefits from accessible mapping tools.
+
+As a first-time contributor, I focused on improving the project’s documentation—particularly the `README.md`, which was unclear and outdated. In the process, I gained valuable experience using GitHub and learned how to contribute effectively to open-source projects.
+
+## The Issue
+
+The main issue I addressed was incomplete and outdated documentation. The `README.md` lacked clear installation steps, context for new contributors, and essential project details. Additionally, the repository did not include a `CONTRIBUTING.md` file, which is important for guiding new contributors through the process.
+
+I discovered these gaps by reviewing the repository and its structure. These issues could discourage potential contributors from participating, so I decided to take action.
+
+## How I Overcame It
+
+As someone new to contributing, I initially felt overwhelmed. I was still learning Git and GitHub workflows, such as:
+
+- Forking repositories
+- Cloning to my local machine
+- Creating branches for changes
+
+To overcome these challenges, I followed GitHub documentation and tutorials to refresh my understanding. Then, I looked at best practices from other open-source repositories to inform my updates.
+
+Here’s what I did:
+
+1. **Forked** the repository to my GitHub account  
+2. **Cloned** the fork to my local machine  
+3. **Created a branch** called `update-readme`  
+4. **Updated the README** with:
+   - Clear installation instructions
+   - A project overview
+   - Goals and contribution tips  
+5. **Added a new `CONTRIBUTING.md`** file with:
+   - Step-by-step instructions on how to contribute
+   - Forking, branching, committing, and pull request guidelines  
+6. **Committed and pushed** the changes  
+7. **Opened a pull request (PR)** to the main repository
+
+Although the PR hasn’t been reviewed yet, the process was a significant learning experience for me.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+This experience taught me the value of clear documentation and the importance of community support in open-source development. I now feel more confident using Git and GitHub, and I understand how impactful small contributions—like better documentation—can be.
+
+Contributing to Ramani Huria not only improved the project’s accessibility for new developers but also boosted my confidence as an open-source contributor. I'm excited to continue learning and contributing to other projects in the future.