Hi there! I'm Youlendree Appasamy. I've always been interested in editing Wikipedia articles, but have always thought it was a bit confusing, and as someone based in Africa, rarely found articles I could adequately and substantively add to – in line with Wikipedia's guidelines. As per these guidelines, am declaring my COI, as I work at Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism and have been tasked with editing articles in line with their work and setting up their Wikipedia page. I support Wikipedia's five pillars, especially respectful of the fact that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a space for self-promotion and marketing content. In the edits I've made thus far, I have not had any conflict of interest, and have been editing articles out of interest and learning how to use the platform as a user.
I'm really interested in building up Wikipedia's entries on African feminists and South African indentureship, with a focus on gender. I also want to improve the current Wiki entries on African institutions and people, especially those whose history and workings have been publicly criticized – either through the legal system or in the media industry. This can be seen in my edit to the Durban Girls' High page, where I added a South African Constitutional Court case to the school's history. Edits like this give readers a more holistic understanding of these entities, especially to an under-represented region like Africa. I will endeavor, to the best of my ability and knowledge, to work within Wikipedia's guidelines, and make sure to disclose my interests (if necessary) when editing Wikipedia articles.