Crystian Ioppolo

Our GSoC interns are working hard this summer on improvements to the Talawa app and Admin Portal. This community management app utilizes a browser-based portal to give administrators the best experience managing their organizations.

It empowers organizations to:

• Manage memberships and approvals seamlessly
• Oversee events and venues
• Track posts, action items, and volunteer engagement
• Supports donations and donation management
• Maintain a secure and transparent community space

This dashboard provides administrators with the tools they need to focus on what matters most—driving meaningful impact. Check back for more updates about this open-source project!

“Before getting into Google Summer of Code 2023, I began my journey with the Palisadoes Foundation by contributing to the Talawa API.
That early exposure gave me a strong foundation and directly led to my selection as a GSoC contributor. It was a game-changer.

During the program, I helped build the Talawa User Portal—bringing features previously only on mobile to the web, and making the platform more accessible. It was my first time working with GraphQL, and thanks to my mentors, I got through the learning curve and came out stronger.

One moment that stood out for me was a mid-program review where a mentor’s feedback made me realize how far I had come in just a few weeks. That boost in confidence stayed with me and since then, my resume has grown, my skills have leveled up, and I’ve landed real-world opportunities in tech. Palisadoes even featured my work on YouTube, which was an incredibly proud moment.

It’s amazing to look back and see how far Talawa has grown, powered by passionate contributors. And to think it all started with a single open-source contribution.

Grateful to the Palisadoes Foundation for being part of my journey. If you’re thinking about open source—this could be your launchpad too.”
– Noble Mittal (EI at PlanetScale)

Volunteering with the Palisadoes Foundation is fun, flexible, and fulfilling work. We are looking for people who want to make a difference. You don’t need tech skills to lend us a helping hand, we have all types of rewarding work to do, and we would love to have your help! Email info@palisadoes.org for more information!

The Palisadoes Foundation was an incredibly impactful first step in my tech career. I started as a mentee in Google Season of Docs, 2022 and later became a mentor in Google Summer of Code, 2023. I gained invaluable experience working within a team, learning the importance of both asking for and offering help. This experience profoundly shaped my understanding of work environments, corporate culture, and management, setting a high bar for what a positive workplace should be.
What truly set Palisadoes apart was its exceptional community and work culture, largely fostered by Peter, the founder. I felt a unique sense of freedom to openly share my thoughts, both positive and negative, without hesitation. Peter’s appreciation for diverse perspectives created an environment where everyone felt valued and empowered to contribute. This foundation provided an ideal first working experience, ultimately solidifying my decision to pursue a career as a software engineer in a leading tech company.

– Eva Sharma, Google Software Engineer

Congratulations to our 2025 Google Summer of Code contributors! We are ready to improve Talawa and get it ready for action! We look forward to a summer full of coding with you.