Recap on Awka Map Edit: A Story to Share, A Lesson for LGs
The Awka Map Edit started around 1:30pm. At first I was alone but later joined by a new local guide. The map edit started fine and we trekked for a while before we got tired. The sun was not favourable and so we edited about 10 places. Some of the places are:
I went to these places
Geneva Hotel
De- Limit Hotel
Jezmed Pharmacy
Seagate Hotel
Fro Foods
Redgate Hotel
Graceland Specialist Hospital & Maternity
Cosmilia Suites & Hotels
Community High School
Observations:
The first four places we visited was cool and the mangers of the places responded positively when we told them that we volunteer for Google and that we were here to edit places on the map. They gave us every detail we needed. The other four places except Community High School, were not responsive at all. In one of the hotels we visited, the receptionist said she is not in charge of giving out phone numbers or website to people. I just wonder the work of a receptionist if he/ she doesn’t have the customer care line or website details. I felt she was reluctant and so we left for other places and told her that whenever we have the time, we may come around again.
In one of the hospitals, I explained myself to the nurse who was at the receptionist desk, and told her that we needed the customer care number, opening hours and website but she was reluctant in doing that and asked us to wait as if we had all the whole time in the world. I left the hospital without doing any edit.
I felt embarrassed at one of the most popular hotels in Awka. At the hotel, the receptionist requested to see a tag to confirm if we are volunteers to Google. He was very reluctant and very unresponsive. Even though, he later released the information reluctantly, I almost felt like walking away. I spoke all the big English in the world to explain to him that websites and customer care lines are meant for public consumption and nevertheless, this information are needed to help their organization. I felt so bad that we still have myopic people existing as receptionist / managers in a public hotel. Mama Mia!
No dobut, I left there angry because I was already tired trekking. While going home, I saw another hotel which was recently opened. I went to the hotel to add the place on the map, but I needed more information about the place. I approached the receptionist and asked her for some details, and she gave me her boss’ complimentary card to call and to confirm from him if I could add the place on the map. She doesn’t know that I could add the place on the map even without approaching her at first. I was just dumbfounded and left the place without adding the place on the map. I didn’t think it was necessary to do that anymore or spend my call credit just like that.
While returning home, I approached the manager of a new hotel just few meters from my home, he told me how the hotel just began and I told him that I was a local guide and I intend to add the place on the map before now. He was positive about it and said he would love it if his hotel was placed on the map. This man left my heart happy and made me to forget all the embarrassment I received from other hotels. I promised to visit the hotel and add it on the map.
The meet up ended around 5pm.
Here is the link to the photoalbum: https://photos.app.goo.gl/R3akaJFodMPfvmCS6
