Access to knowledge through IT

GET INVOLVED

There are many ways to help us make our vision of knowledge through IT for everyone true
Go to DONATE

DONATE

As a local NGO we need your donation in order to provide high quality IT lessons to our learners in the awarenet programme. Support us!

Go to TEACH

TEACH

You are a teacher and want to offer your learners high quality IT lessons? Be part of the movement and join our professional network.

Go to LEARN

LEARN

Access to knowledge, creative projects, IT and Internet skills and improved employment chances. There are many reasons to join awarenet.

Go to VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER

You would like to get involved? Welcome on board! Find out how you can join our awarenet team and the weltwärts community.

I LOVE AWARENET

About us

Learn more about our mission of bringing knowledge through IT for everyone
We believe, everyone should understand the Internet and have access to knowledge

Awarenet is a learning program using the power of technology to enhance knowledge and educational outcomes. Situated in a disadvantaged area in Makhanda, South Africa, the program gives school learners and community members who have little access to information and communications technology (ICT) in their home and school environments the opportunity to develop their knowledge through the use of innovative technology. The projects in the program include robotics classes where school learners learn the principles of coding by having fun programming robots. Awarenet also offers mathematics classes blending offline and online teaching with the use of trained tutors and an interactive online platform; sparking the interest of learners in maths. Furthermore, we offer groups of learners weekly educational support throughout their five-year high school career after school in a variety of subjects with the use of tablets, computers and a variety of online tools. Awarenet also provides SD-cards to school learners and their families with 64 GB of curated, age appropriate educational resources such as learning videos on every subject on the South African curriculum, e-books and audio-books and previous exam papers. It also helps schools directly by helping revitalise, maintain and supervise school computer labs.

  • The Awarenet Open Lab is a project that gives all community members free access to the two computer labs at the Joza Youth Hub. The philosophy of the Open Lab is that you can “learn by doing” – we therefore encourage community members to learn about computers and the internet by exploring these on their own pace according to their own needs. Around 90% of the users of the Open Lab are school learners who frequently do school projects and homework in the labs. If space is available they are also allowed to play games and use social media as children with little access to ICT at home and school also become computer literate through such playful use. Adults who use the Open Lab often use if for job and university applications. The Open Lab is monitored by trained supervisors.

  • The robotics and coding program gives learners from disadvantaged schools a head start in the future-orientated field of coding. The learners are taught to program the advanced moves of LEGO robots on laptops. The robots are then run on an obstacle course; making it into a fun and educational game that trigger the early interest of learners in coding. Our learners also take part in national and local competitions such as the World Robot Olympiad.

OUR TEAM

We are a group of very different people united in the believe of a better future for everyone through IT

Kjetil Torp

Director
Awarenet helps me spread knowledge about the world we live in and the technology which sustains it. The most disadvantaged thereby acquire a tool to improve it.

Zintle Vambe

Project Manager
It´s a great privilege to be part of the awarenet team. The ICT project will help enhance learning at historically disadvantaged schools.

Thanduxolo Royi

Lab supervisor
I like working as lab supervisor because I can show children the Internet and how it can help them. It is important to me that they can get better grades through the Open Lab.

Martin Zabel

Volunteer
IT skills are not just knowledge, they are a vehicle enabling learners to acquire education by themselves.

Kela Iheanetu

Math Tutor

Latifa Abdoulahi

Volunteer
Being part of the awarenet team allows me to not only live out my passion for photographing and journalism, but also allows me to promote the projects of awarenet.

Simphiwe Gwaza

Project Coordinator

Richard Were

ICT Support

Clement Simuja

Trustee
IT and Educational Advisor
I became a trustee for Awarenet because of my commitment to the provision of ICT practices that contribute to eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities and develop environment-friendly society where everybody can exercise their rights and develop their full potential.

Rod Amner

Trustee
Chairperson
awarenet is the only organisation in Makana dedicated to ICT for development in a human rights frame, and for that reason it has my respect and support.

Dr Sarah Hanton

Trustee
Educational Advisor
I am keen to explore new eductional methods and ideas and I am committed to equality in education. What South Africa needs is good education for everyone.

Craig Renaud

Trustee
Legals, Treasurer
I am proud to contribute to the awarenet programme with my specific knowledge and I am happy to see the programme thrive.

Ronald Wertlen

Founder
German Partner
awarenet is about spreading awareness, and bridging the education gap.

DR ANNA WERTLEN

Founder
German Partner
With awarenet, I want to provide opportunities to learners who want to learn, but do not have the tools or access to knowledge. I believe that we can change lives with education.

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