Coders Who Travel Inc.

Happy International Women's Day 2024! I am reflecting on this quote from Maya Angelou today.

You can catch up on our highlights at Who Travel Inc. for the year in our "2023 -Year in Review" Newsletter at: https://lnkd.in/emWMzz4n

We turned seven (7) years yesterday | from December 22, 2016 to December 22, 2023! Catch up on our highlights in this newsletter:
https://app.flashissue.com/newsletters/e3d5ef38d1b21da2f2013a9443a6a151a232ea1a

Hello there!

Hope all is well. I was featured in the American Statistical Association's magazine: AMSTAT NEWS' December 2023 Edition: My ASA Story: Afia Owusu-Forfie, Statistician and Nonprofit Executive | Amstat News digitally (https://magazine.amstat.org/blog/2023/12/01/owusu-forfiemyasastory/) and in print: AMSTATDECEMBER.pdf (https://magazine.amstat.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AMSTATDECEMBER.pdf). I am extremely grateful to God for this honor and enabling me to find encouragement at the end of the year! The ASA's Ron Wasserstein, Donna LaLonda and Kim Gilliam were so instrumental in this happening. I am so grateful for them. Just thought of sharing this news with you. And feel free to forward to anyone I may have missed!

Thanks & Warm Regards,
Afia

Here in the western world, we take for granted access to resources such as laptops but some of our beneficiaries overseas need them. Would you consider a year-end gift so we can close this gap for our most active and generous volunteers based in emerging markets, at Coders Who Travel Inc., who give their time to ensure that we lay hold of our mission?

cc: Gary Shapiro / Christina Alva / Jill McCracken, Ph.D. / Afia Owusu-Forfie

Follow Coders Who Travel Inc.!

We are so thrilled about the American Statistical Association - ASA featuring and publishing the story of our Founder: Afia Owusu-Forfie!

https://lnkd.in/eMK3MzbA

cc: Ron Wasserstein/ Donna LaLonde(she/her) / Kim Gilliam

Right from the very beginning, we have supported women! In early 2017, we organized a w.Coders weekend series to impact female college students attending Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi and Garden City University College, Ghana

The wonderful, Oseiwah Ahenkorah led a Python workshop with the women. We commend our venue host Kumasi Hive for supporting our women that day.

We are grateful to our financial sponsors: Afia Owusu-Forfie and Stephen Yeboah who covered the cost of a plane ticket from Accra to Kumasi and Serwaa Bonsu who supplied meals during the trip and opened her home to Akua.

During this last month of 2023, please consider a gift to so we can do more for women. Email info(at)coderswhotravel(dot)com.

Andreas Schroeder, Andrea Cassoni and Gustavo Moscardó Cuquerella have just shared their experiences of the challenges and benefits of modern service-oriented business models for customer-centric manufacturers on stage during Panel discussion V at the World Manufacturing Forum 2023.

Andreas Schroeder, Professor, Advanced Services Group, Aston University, spoke about the challenges of the industry rethinking services as a competitive strength and the challenge of getting customers to pay for them. However, he also highlighted the benefits of the servitisation business model increasing the manufacturer’s responsibility towards a product, from its production to the end of life.

Andrea Cassoni, Global Head of Collaborative Robotics and Partnerships Development Manager Robotics and Discrete Automation, ABB, explored the importance of flexibility as a tool embedded into the service model to meet customers' different needs. He also drew on his experience in robotics, where they have extended their product phases to include maintenance and end-of-life.

Finally, Gustavo Moscardó Cuquerella, Chief Regional Officer EMEA, KUKA, spoke about the direction of KUKA and how they are seeking to use digitalisation to be more competitive in Europe. By giving their customers high flexibility in software and high-quality hardware, they are also working on reducing their carbon footprint and creating a circular economy.

to the 1st Lunch & Learn at Coders Who Travel Inc. with two initial Directors & two initial Advisors! We turn 7 years old on December 22, 2023 as an entity! Hurray! You can help us celebrate by considering us in your Year-End Giving to go further in our mission: To provide requisite computer and/or mathematical programming skills to individuals in underserved communities! Email us at info(at)coderswhotravel(dot)com for giving details.

cc: Afia Owusu-Forfie / Christina Alva / Gary Shapiro / Jill McCracken, Ph.D.

Hi Everyone,

Good morning!

We (Coders Who Travel Inc.) have need of laptops for some of our most dedicated volunteers over the years who are based in developing countries like Ghana. Kindly send us an email to info(at)coderswhotravel(dot)com if you are interested in supporting them or donate to us directly at: https://lnkd.in/dh7Jxr6 and we will arrange in-country purchases for them.

Thank you & Warm Regards,

Afia + The CWT Team

cc: Christina Alva/ Bob Glass / Mark Morreale/ Afia Owusu-Forfie /Angelene (Angie) Hemingway/ Dr. Twilah Crawford (Heckstall) / LaTanya Brown-Robertson, Ph.D./ Derrick Chin / Lasonja Kennedy /Barry Young, Ph.D./ Gary Odum 🔵/ Priscilla Paulina Tettegah / Kwame Afreh-Sika / LaBrina Loving / Sheila Kanlisi, CISA, MBA / Dr. Evans DUAH, ACMA, CGMA, CA, CGIA, ICCE, FCILG, MIoD / Franklin Eleblu / Ebenezer Jackson / Prof. Eric F. Oteng-Abayie / William Ampeh / Theophilus Siameh / Delali Agbenyegah, CAP/ Maria Cupples Hudson/ Albert Kusi-Appiah / Prema Roman / Asma M. Ali, PhD / Kelsey Farson Gray / Carrie Pett / Nathan Yuen / Monica Sharma / Amanraj Singh / Jill McCracken, Ph.D. / Mikhail Christiansen / Brett Wujek/ Gary Shapiro / Anna Yakovleva / Loren Velasquez / Awa Diop

Contact us at Coders Who Travel Inc. for details about our near future coding bootcamp: Introduction to SQL in our 'Everyone Can Code' series running from February 27, 2024 through to May 11, 2024. Tuesdays and Saturdays at 4 PM EST or 9 PM GMT for one and half hours. Email: info(at)coderswhotravel(dot)com for more details and price points.

We are delighted to share our new with Ebenezer Teye.

In Fall 2023, Coders Who Travel Inc. partnered with Eric Nyarko, PhD, one of our faculty friends at University of Ghana, to reach a cohort of University of Ghana students in a 3-months R coding bootcamp dubbed 'Everyone Can Code'. Teye shares her experience with the organization. Enjoy!


To help Coders Who Travel Inc. transform more students, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/eX9BPnyq

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Exploring the World of R with Coders Who Travel Inc.: A 3-Month Workshop Experience -- EBENEZER TEYE.

Blogs and Reviews on Introduction to R Workshop

Blogs

Exploring the World of R with Coders Who Travel Inc.: A 3-Month Workshop Experience



Over the past three months, I have had the incredible opportunity to engage myself in the vibrant world of R programming with Coders Who Travel Inc. As someone passionate about data analysis and eager to expand my skill set, this workshop has been nothing short of enlightening.

I presented my final project on the Factors predicting Prostrate Cancer among elderly men to Judges from Deloitte on November 18, 2023.

Getting Familiar with R

The journey began with the basics. From understanding R syntax to its powerful capabilities in data manipulation and visualization, each session was a stepping stone into a deeper understanding of this useful programming language. What stood out was the seamless blend of theory and practical applications (that is no dry lectures here!). Hands-on exercises and real-world examples made concepts stick and sparked creativity in problem-solving.



Expert Guidance and Support

The instructors at Coders Who Travel Inc. were the backbone of this learning experience. Their expertise and patience made complex concepts digestible, encouraging us to explore and experiment fearlessly. They encouraged a collaborative environment where questions were welcomed and peer-to-peer learning thrived. It felt more like a community than a classroom, with everyone eager to share insights and help one another grow.



Projects that Brought R to Life

The workshop was not just about learning; it was about doing. Through various projects, we applied R to real datasets, tackling challenges that mimicked scenarios in the professional world. From data cleaning to predictive modeling, these projects pushed us out of our comfort zones, honing not just our technical skills but also our problem-solving abilities.



Networking and Collaboration

One of the unexpected benefits was the network I built during this workshop. Interacting with like-minded individuals from different backgrounds was enriching. From casual discussions to collaborative project work, it was inspiring to see how R was being applied across different industries and domains.



The Takeaway

· As I wrap up this transformative journey, I am leaving with a newfound confidence in my R programming abilities. The workshop was not just about learning the language; it was about unlocking the potential to solve real-world problems using data.

· Coders Who Travel Inc. has set a benchmark in delivering an immersive, comprehensive and engaging learning experience. Whether you are a beginner or looking to enhance your R skills, I highly recommend their workshops for anyone passionate about diving deep into the world of data.

· This journey has been a unique and helpful, and I am excited to embark on new data-driven adventures armed with the knowledge and skills gained here.



Cheers to Coders Who Travel Inc. for an unforgettable experience in R programming!













Reviews

Coders Who Travel Inc.: Introduction to R Workshop

Workshop Title: Introduction to R

Duration: 3 Months



Overview

Introduction to R workshop organized by Coders Who Travel Inc. . is a comprehensive, hands-on experience that make provisions for beginners and those looking to deepen their understanding of R programming. The course structure is an excellent balance between theory and practical application, ensuring a thorough understanding of concepts while developing creativity in problem-solving.



Pros

· Expert instructors who are knowledgeable, approachable and create a collaborative learning environment.

· Well-designed projects that allow participants to apply R to real-world scenarios, enhancing practical skills.

· Networking opportunities with different learners from various background, promoting a sense of community and collaboration.

· Emphasis on practical learning through hands-on exercises, ensuring application of knowledge.



Cons

None worth mentioning; the workshop was a highly enriching experience for me.



Final Thoughts

The introduction to R workshop organized by the Coders Who Travel Inc. exceeded my expectations. The depth of content together with the supportive learning environment, makes it a standout choice for anyone keen on mastering R programming. I have gained a very useful skills and confidence, making this workshop a definite recommendation for aspiring data enthusiasts and professionals alike.

We are delighted to share our new with Gloria Enyonam Laryea

Congratulations Gloria Enyonam Laryea for successfully earning your Coders Who Travel Inc. certificate after graduating from our 3-months Introduction to R Programming bootcamp in our 'Everyone Can Code' program! Thank you so much for your blog.

cc: Bob Glass / Christina Alva / Mark Morreale / Afia Owusu-Forfie / Eric Nyarko, PhD / Angelene (Angie) Hemingway / Asma M. Ali, PhD / William Ampeh / Theophilus Siameh / Albert Kusi-Appiah





To help Coders Who Travel Inc. transform more students, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/eX9BPnyq
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MY PERSONAL JOURNEY AND EXPERIENCE WITH R -- GLORIA ENYONAM LARYEA

Learning R was definitely not an easy one. I was interested in learning R because it is statistics and economics related of which I share the same field.

You might be wondering why I say it was not easy right? Well this is it; I began learning R with an organization by name Coders Who Travel Inc. in a program dubbed 'Everyone Can Code'.

I happened to be about nine lectures behind as they had already began the semester yet I joined with the hope that I could still catch up and perhaps, perform even better.

Lessons were in a form of video meetings via Microsoft teams. I scheduled about 4 hours each day to watch the lecture videos and practice as well. Due to school resumption, I had to reduce the time allocated to R to two hours a day. To be honest, I was still behind. R had certain similarities with Python (a computer language) so I found some parts easier than others.

I realized I was still behind so I started using an R textbook to try to catch up. Like they say, practice makes perfect but I wasn’t practicing what was being taught in class.

Each of the students in the class were given projects, basically to retrieve data from sources given and analyze in whatever way we could(to play with the data if you like). It then dawned on me that I could not go without practicing and get a good outcome for my project so I then again widened my horizon. I combined the online lessons with the textbook as well as online searches to grasp the topics faster and easier since I had less time now.

There were numerous times my codes didn’t work to the extent that I got discouraged at times. During times like that, taking a break to clear my head worked quite well. I had to gain more knowledge in order to start my project work. All things being equal, I learnt enough about three weeks to the presentation of project works. At this very point, the stuff I had to do in school also became cumbersome and I thought of giving up or not showing for the presentation altogether but I balanced it out and got my project done and dusted.

I would say good teachers make good students. No doubt, our instructors were very good and patient and encouraged us at all times to practice.

One thing I learnt during my End of Semester presentation to Judges from Deloitte is to always state the why of your work before you get into it. I explored the Salaries of the US Industries to understand the sectors that may be lucrative for Immigrants from Africa.

From the whole experience, I would say when there is a will, there is a way and I also learnt to avoid doing things at the very last minute. All in all, it was tough yet educational and enlightening.

With warm regards,

Gloria Enyonam Laryea

We are delighted to share our new with Richard Atidigah

Congratulations Richard Atidigah for successfully earning your Coders Who Travel Inc. after graduating from our 3-months Introduction to R Programming bootcamp in our 'Everyone Can Code' program! Thank you so much for your blog and review.

cc: Bob Glass / Christina Alva / Mark Morreale / Afia Owusu-Forfie / Eric Nyarko, PhD / Angelene (Angie) Hemingway / Willliam Ampeh / Albert Kusi-Appiah / Theophilus Siameh




To help Coders Who Travel Inc. transform more students, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/eX9BPnyq
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Joining the Coders Who Travel Inc. R bootcamp marked an exhilarating chapter in my coding journey -- Richard Atidigah.

BLOG

Joining the Coders Who Travel Inc. (CWT) R bootcamp marked an exhilarating chapter in my coding journey. Coders Who Travel Inc. is a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to spreading coding knowledge globally. CWT became my learning companion for three transformative months, commencing on August 22, 2023.

Beginning with an introductory R programming class, I delved into a curriculum that covered working with built-in datasets, handling missing values, manipulating index vectors, and loading multiple datasets into R. The exploration extended to the versatile tidyverse package, where I became adept at utilizing packages like dplyr, readr, stringr, and ggplot. The journey also introduced me to the shiny package, equipping me with the skills required to create and host personal packages on GitHub.

The culmination occurred on November 18, 2023 when I presented my final project on Employee Work-Life Balance in the Manufacturing Sector. Sourcing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and leveraging on the skills honed during the classes, I successfully navigated the intricate landscape of the project.

Despite encountering challenges along the way, I am grateful to God Almighty, the facilitator Afia Owusu-Forfie and instructors William Ampeh , Albert Kusi-Appiah , Theophilus Siameh , and everyone whose support propelled me to this milestone.

REVIEW

Overview

Coders Who Travel (CWT), a non-governmental organization committed to spreading coding knowledge globally, has been a transformative force in my coding journey over the past three months. This unique experience has not only provided valuable insights but also significantly enhanced my coding proficiency, igniting a deeper passion for coding.

The course structure, seamlessly integrating theoretical and practical knowledge across all lessons, contributed to the richness of my learning experience. The emphasis on a holistic approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Despite the overall success of the course, I encountered a few challenges that, if addressed, could further optimize the learning experience.

Challenges

Three main challenges surfaced during my engagement with CWT:

1. Class Time Conflict: The scheduling of class time sometimes conflicted with work hours, hindering a seamless learning experience.

2. Initial Course Material Access: Difficulty accessing course materials at the beginning posed an initial hurdle.

3. Internet Failures: Instances of internet failures during class hours disrupted the flow of learning.

Recommendations

To address these challenges, I propose two practical solutions. First, consider fixing lesson times to

coincide with work closing hours (5 pm Ghana time) to accommodate students who work concurrently.

Additionally, allocate time to train new students on the use of Microsoft Teams to ensure a smooth

onboarding process, enhancing their participation in subsequent lessons.

Despite these challenges, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the dedication of the facilitator, Afia, and all other instructors who played a crucial role in making the R programming training a success.

Their commitment contributed significantly to the positive aspects of my learning journey. In conclusion, I am not only grateful for the enriching journey with CWT but also eagerly anticipate the opportunities that lie ahead. With wholehearted enthusiasm, I recommend Coders Who Travel to anyone seeking a transformative and comprehensive coding education. The organization's commitment to global coding knowledge dissemination makes it a commendable choice for those ready to embark on coding.

And it's a wrap! This afternoon/evening (November 18, 2023) depending on your location in the United States or Ghana, these students: Richard Atidigah, Gloria Enyonam Laryea and Ebenezer Teye affiliated with University of Ghana got a rare opportunity to have Judges: Bob Glass and Asma M. Ali, PhD from Deloitte give them career-changing feedback on their end of semester project presentations (includes a power point presentation of the project topic/methodology and a deep-dive into R syntax in .R files).

Over the course of these past 3 months (August 22 - November 18), we were grateful to have three astute lecturers: William Ampeh, a Lead Technology Analyst at Federal Reserve Board; Albert Kusi-Appiah, a Senior Health Data Scientist at Checkbook CSS; Theophilus Siameh, a Data Scientist at AT&T bring their arsenal of programming resources on the R programming language to their doorsteps!

We (Coders Who Travel Inc.) bridged the gap between students living in Ghana and instructors living in the United States through the power of virtual working environments! Richard presented on how Work-life balance was impacted by COVID-19 since 2018 through to 2023. Gloria explored whether the United States indeed provides greener pastures to Immigrants by subsetting her data to focus on relevant industries. And Ebenezer educated us on the risk factors associated with prostate cancer in older men.

Looking forward to the final score cards from the Judges. Although from their preliminary feedback, I predict all three presenters will pass! I am looking forward to awarding them their hard-earned certificates from Coders Who Travel Inc. in the next 2 weeks. As well as reading their blogs (1-2 pages) down the road!

This afternoon, our Base SAS and SAS Viya bootcamp wrapped up with presentations on COVID-19, Canadian Immigration and Crimes in Washington, DC by Deloitte practitioners!

I am grateful to Raymond Outar and Niraj Juneja for showing up as Judges. Both provided insightful feedback, critique and meaningful questions to these Deloitte practitioners: Clark, Tamuka Mazana and Yusuph Yusuph.

We could not have pulled this amazing feat off without these amazing SAS/SAS Viya Instructors: Maria Cupples Hudson, Morreale and Chris Sammut. These selfless individuals made a small non profit like us deliver on our promises on a big stage.

A special thank you also goes to Kraig Kirchner and Pat Valente for joining as Guest Instructors and my Sr. Executive Assistant: El-Hayil Puplampu who covered my facilitating duties in my two-three absences.

As we tie the bow, I ( Afia Owusu-Forfie) am looking forward to presenting them with their hard-earned Coders Who Travel Inc. certificates as well as receiving their blogs and reviews in the near future.

Glad to have committed to the 'Everyone Can Code' Base SAS + SAS Viya 3-months coding bootcamp with Deloitte practitioners!

We are actively looking to launch our R coding bootcamp from August 22, 2023 to November 18, 2023 in the 'Everyone Can Code' initiative. Please email info(at)coderswhotravel(dot)com for more details, if you are interested in learning R! We look forward to enabling you "CODE Like Never Before"!

In the Fall of 2022, Coders Who Travel Inc. partnered with Bob Glass, one of our Board Members and a Principal at Deloitte, to reach a cohort of transitioning military men and women on their way to Deloitte in a 3-months coding bootcamp dubbed 'Veterans Can Code'. Robert L. Arroyo Candelaria shares his experience with the organization, here: https://bit.ly/44ke3FH Enjoy!



To help Coders Who Travel Inc. transform more Veterans, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/dh7Jxr6

In the Fall of 2022, Coders Who Travel Inc. partnered with Bob Glass, one of our Board Members and a Principal at Deloitte, to reach a cohort of transitioning military men and women on their way to Deloitte in a 3-months coding bootcamp dubbed 'Veterans Can Code'. Out of that vision, online content was put on LinkedIn and a friend of Afia Owusu-Forfie, re-shared the content. Richard Ward shares his experience with the organization from being tagged in a LinkedIn post, here: https://bit.ly/3rpSEwf Enjoy!

"When you care about what your friends do, a simple share of their business or organization's online content could possibly transform a Veteran! Thank you Sonja Harbin, SHRM-SCP for that transformative share!" -- Afia Owusu-Forfie



To help Coders Who Travel Inc. transform more veterans, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/dh7Jxr6

In the Fall of 2022, Coders Who Travel Inc. partnered with Bob Glass, one of our Board Members and a Principal at Deloitte, to reach a cohort of transitioning military men and women on their way to Deloitte in a 3-months coding bootcamp dubbed 'Veterans Can Code'. Will Sulowski shares his experience with the organization, here: https://bit.ly/43mJeyE Enjoy!



To help Coders Who Travel Inc. transform more Veterans, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/dh7Jxr6

In the Fall of 2022, Coders Who Travel Inc. partnered with Bob Glass, one of our Board Members and a Principal at Deloitte, to reach a cohort of transitioning military men and women on their way to Deloitte in a 3-months coding bootcamp dubbed 'Veterans Can Code'. Orf shares her experience with the organization, here: https://bit.ly/3Daizuq Enjoy!



To help Coders Who Travel Inc. transform more veterans, you can donate here: https://lnkd.in/dh7Jxr6

Interested in coding in R? We are pleased to announce our next 3-months coding bootcamp: "ECC 100: Introduction to R" will be running between August 22, 2023 through to November 18, 2023 at Coders Who Travel Inc. We will meet twice a week for 1 hour 15 minutes each lesson. Please email info(at)coderswhotravel(dot)com to RSVP.

Calling all those interested in learning R!

'Everyone Can Code'; a new initiative by Coders Who Travel Inc. seeks to take our mission to inspire and advance the careers of Coders in underserved communities to the marketplace. With a track record with Veterans, Women and Students, you do not want to miss this bootcamp!

Get Involved!!!



cc: Maria Cupples Hudson / David Olaleye / Mark Morreale / Owusu-Forfie / Joseph Lawrence Hammond / Angelene (Angie) Hemingway / Christina Alva / Bob Glass