My Unforgettable Journey: 6 Weeks of WEB 3.0 Bootcamp
Tags: blockchain, mastercard, mowblox, mestafrica
Published: 2023-09-28 20:16:54

I recently embarked on a transformative journey through a 6-week WEB 3 Bootcamp, brought to life by the collaborative efforts of **MEST Africa**, **Mowblox**, and the **Mastercard Foundation**. This experience has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by challenges, profound insights, and unforgettable moments that have reshaped my perspective.

1. The Steep Dive:
Our journey began with a powerful declaration from our fearless leader, Odafe. He gathered us and boldly proclaimed, "We are going very deep and steep." It was a scary prospect, but we were ready to dive headfirst into the world of blockchain and decentralized technologies.

2. The Tech Jargon Surprise:
One of our instructors, Mary, seemed to be fluent in an entirely different language filled with complex technical terms like DeFi and EOAs. It felt like we had entered a foreign land, but Mary's expertise and guidance helped us bridge the knowledge gap.

3. Rising Excellence:
Each week, our fellow bootcampers raised the bar with their projects and contributions. It felt like a competition, and the added incentive of project rewards kept us motivated. Theodora introduced an element of excitement by turning every submission into a "World Cup" match. It was a unique blend of camaraderie and competition.

4. The EthAccra Hackathon:
Before diving into our individual projects, we had the privilege of participating in the EthAccra hackathon. It was my inaugural hackathon experience, and it taught us how to develop rapidly and prototype using tools like scaffold-eth2, theGraph, and more.

5. The Facilitators:
Our mentors, Mike, Odafe, and Mary, were the guiding stars of our journey. Mike, in particular, had a knack for keeping us on our toes with his quick responses and vast knowledge. Kelvin and Slim ensured the entire program ran seamlessly, especially during our Friday industry talks.

6. Nana Agyemang - The Spice of the Cohort:
Nana Agyemang added a unique flavor to our cohort. With a penchant for stirring up lively debates and playfully picking quarrels, he kept us entertained and engaged.

7. Project "rewardt" Takes Flight:
One of the highlights of my journey was deploying my project, "rewardt," to the testnet. Witnessing my creation come to life was a surreal experience. You can explore it here: [rewardt.netlify.app](https://rewardt.netlify.app).

8. The Epic Debugging Marathon:
I faced a formidable challenge when I couldn't verify my smart contract. Determined not to surrender, I embarked on a grueling 12-hour debugging marathon. I refused to sleep, and Odafe supported me unwaveringly. Mike, who had always been there to assist, had an emergency, leaving me to tackle the issue solo.

9. Threading on Minimal Sleep:
On deployment day, I managed to connect The Graph to my app, but it came at the cost of a mere 1.07 hours of sleep from 4:23 to 5:30 am. It was an adrenaline-fueled sprint driven by sheer determination.

10. Kudos to MEST Kitchen:
Let's not forget to acknowledge MEST Kitchen for providing us with exceptional food throughout our intense coding sessions. The jollof rice was a particular favorite among the cohort.

11. The Sub-Graph Connection:
Jovells, the unsung hero, played a pivotal role in helping me connect my sub-graph to my smart contract. His expertise was invaluable in overcoming that hurdle.

12. Awards and Comedy:
To wrap up this incredible journey, I was humbled and elated to receive two awards. During the pitch, they even suggested I consider adding comedy to my profession, opening up exciting new possibilities for my future.

Over these 6 weeks, I've witnessed personal growth, fostered lasting connections, and gained a deeper understanding of the web 3.0 landscape. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to MEST Africa, Mowblox, and the Mastercard Foundation for this life-changing opportunity. The journey continues, and I eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead.