The road to success is never easy, and for the Deepin community in Ecuador, the recent meeting with the Ibarra City Council is an example of how perseverance and collective effort can open important doors. This achievement is not just a milestone for the Killa OS project but a significant step in the mission to expand the reach of Deepin and Linux in communities that still lack access to these technologies.

Before the Meeting: Work Behind the Scenes

What many don’t know is that getting to this meeting didn’t happen overnight. It took months of planning, prior meetings, and conversations to lay the groundwork. The Deepin community in Ecuador, made up of a dedicated team of free software enthusiasts and experts, began with the vision of creating real impact, particularly in Quechua-speaking communities.

From the conceptualization of the Killa OS project, the goal was clear: to bring Linux to communities and translate Deepin into Kichwa, an effort that carries not only technical but also cultural significance. We knew that to achieve this, we would

need the support of key institutions, and that’s where the hard work really began. Multiple calls, emails, and negotiations were needed to get influential figures like the Mayor of Ibarra and the Director of SENESCYT interested in our project.

The Big Day: The Meeting with the Ibarra City Council

Finally, after much effort, we secured an audience with the Mayor of Ibarra and several local representatives. From the moment we arrived at the meeting, the importance of the moment was palpable. We were nervous, I admit, but also excited to see that our work was beginning to bear fruit. It was a crucial moment to validate the months of preparation and make it clear that this project wasn’t just another idea.

During the meeting, we presented our vision of a more inclusive community where access to technology and education wouldn’t be limited by language or geography. For us, Deepin is not just an operating system; it’s a tool that can transform lives, and that was the message we brought to the Mayor and his team.

Key Achievements: What It Means for the Deepin Community

What did we achieve? Some of the most important agreements include:

• Support for Community Outreach
  We will be given access to a network of contacts to connect with Quechua-speaking communities and bilingual schools where Kichwa is taught. This will help us gather volunteers to translate Deepin and make it the first Linux distribution fully translated into Kichwa.
• Accessible Education and Free Software
  Once Deepin’s translation is ready, it will be proposed as a learning platform in these communities. Our goal is to show that Linux and computing are not out of anyone’s reach. With the support of a mobile classroom, we will bring these technological tools to places that normally lack access.
• STEM Classes and Accessibility for Vulnerable People
  As a community, we want to offer more than just technology. We aim to provide education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to the most vulnerable communities. We’ve also committed to developing a screen reader for Deepin, designed for people with visual disabilities, and using Braille printers to facilitate their access to technology.
• Financing and Logistical Support
  Perhaps one of the most important points was securing financial and logistical support. We will have transportation and printed materials for outreach activities, and we will begin a publishing project that includes creating an educational book on Linux, available in Spanish, English, and Kichwa for both adults and children.

Why It’s Important for Deepin

This project marks a turning point for the Deepin community, not just in Ecuador but across the Linux ecosystem. Translating an entire operating system into an indigenous language is unprecedented on this scale. But beyond the technical aspect, we’re talking about making free software accessible to communities that have often been excluded from technological advances.

Additionally, it allows us to demonstrate that Deepin is more than just a distribution for advanced users. It is a powerful tool that can adapt to different cultures, languages, and contexts. With Killa OS and the Deepin community working together, we’re laying the foundation for an impact that will go far beyond the local level.

Looking to the Future

Now that we’ve taken this big step, we know the work is just beginning. As a community, we are full of energy and commitment to keep moving forward step by step. The next move will be to create an activity schedule and continue collaborating with local authorities. We are excited about all that’s to come, and we know that with everyone’s support, this project will become a reality that will benefit many.

Deepin: an operating system for everything and everyone. This phrase, which represents our motto, takes on more meaning than ever as we work to make Deepin not only accessible to more people but also to more cultures and languages. Our dream is that anyone, no matter where they come from or what language they speak, can access technology and knowledge because we believe that technology is the bridge that can unite the world.

Thank you all for your continued support, and especially to those who believed in this dream from the beginning. Let’s keep going! 🌍💻