What Awarenet does

Awarenet is an ICT education program operated by the Village Scribe Association Trust, a South African non-profit registered in 2010 (with predecessor entities in Belgium dating to 2008). It delivers free technology-based education to school learners and community members in Joza Township, Makhanda (Grahamstown), Eastern Cape — a region with limited access to computers and internet at home or in schools. Its beneficiaries are predominantly disadvantaged learners in grades 6–12, drawn from at least seven partner schools in the area, alongside adult community members who use the Open Lab for job applications, university applications, and basic digital literacy. Awarenet also reaches the broader Makana community, making it effectively the only free public internet access point in the surrounding area.

The program is built around three core service lines delivered at the Joza Youth Hub and in partner schools: (1) Open Lab — free community access to two computer labs with supervised self-paced learning; (2) Robotics and Coding — LEGO Mindstorms programming for learners, with participation in national competitions such as the World Robot Olympiad; and (3) Core Group Programme — five-year after-school academic support using tablets, computers, and online tools. Supporting modules include the OLICO blended-learning maths tutoring program (using tablets and an interactive online platform with trained tutors), a Teacher Training Course for local educators, 64 GB SD cards with curriculum-aligned educational content for offline use, a Movie Making Course with Rhodes University journalism lecturers, a Blockly visual programming course, and a School Computer Lab Support service that helps schools revitalize and maintain their own labs. Technical differentiation comes from domain specialization (South African curriculum content, offline-first distribution via SD cards, low-bandwidth blended learning) rather than proprietary software.

As a non-profit, Awarenet does not charge beneficiaries for any services. Its revenue model is a mix of individual donations (via betterplace.org and bank transfer), foundation grants (HCI Foundation, North-South Bridges Foundation), government program funding through the Social Employment Fund administered by The Learning Trust, and in-kind support (volunteers from Rhodes University and the German weltwärts program). Its go-to-market is community-led: learner recruitment flows through partner schools, word-of-mouth, and Facebook, while funder relationships are managed through the trustees and chairperson. The organization also extends program impact by deploying SEF participants as data capturers to the Department of Health's Anglo-African Clinic, signaling modest diversification of its service portfolio.

Name

Awarenet

Legal name

Village Scribe Association Trust

Website

https://awarenet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Awarenet is a Makhanda-based non-profit that provides free ICT education — robotics, coding, maths tutoring, and computer lab access — to disadvantaged school learners and community members in Joza Township, South Africa, funded by donations, grants, and government employment programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ICT Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Computer Training (611420), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Learning, EdTech Enablement & Connectivity for Education (BPADAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email) (EDAAAAAC), Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA), Open Multimedia OER (video, audio, podcasts, animations) (EDAGAJAF), Web Development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript, Front-End/Back-End) (EDAMACAC)

Keywords

• ICT education
• Computer literacy training
• Robotics coding
• Digital inclusion
• Community learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Awarenet operates as a local NGO relying on donations from individuals and organizations to fund IT lessons and educational programs for learners in disadvantaged areas.
2. Government Social Employment Fund: A government initiative providing employment opportunities for previously unemployed people working in non-profit organisations like Awarenet, administered through The Learning Trust.
3. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations such as HCI Foundation for specific programs like teacher training courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Awarenet is a non-profit ICT education program that provides free computer and internet access, robotics and coding instruction using LEGO Mindstorms, interactive mathematics tutoring via the OLICO platform, after-school academic support, and offline educational content via SD cards to disadvantaged school learners and community members in Makhanda, South Africa. The program operates from the Joza Youth Hub and through partnerships with local schools, Rhodes University, and OLICO Maths Foundation.

Product overview

Awarenet is a single integrated educational technology programme that provides ICT education and support to disadvantaged learners and communities in Makhanda, South Africa. The core programme combines the Open Lab (community computer access), Core Group Programme (structured after-school support), and Robotics and Coding (LEGO Mindstorms programming education). Additional modules include the OLICO Maths Programme (interactive online maths tutoring via tablets), Teacher Training Course (ICT skills for educators), SD Cards with Educational Resources (64 GB content cards), Learning Lab (structured computer learning), Movie Making Course (video production), and Blockly Course (visual programming). The programme also includes school computer lab maintenance and support services. Partner programmes like OLICO are integrated into the offering through tablets and online platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Robotics and Coding An educational programme teaching learners from disadvantaged schools coding principles through programming LEGO Mindstorms robots on laptops, then running them on obstacle courses, with participation in national competitions like the World Robot Olympiad.
• Open Lab A community-access computer lab at the Joza Youth Hub offering free access to two computer labs, enabling community members to learn about computers and the internet at their own pace through self-directed exploration, monitored by trained supervisors.
• Core Group Programme Weekly educational support throughout learners' five-year high school career, offering instruction in a variety of subjects using tablets, computers, and online tools in after-school sessions.
• OLICO Maths Programme Mathematics classes blending offline and online teaching with trained tutors and an interactive online platform, sparking learner interest in maths through gamified exercises on tablets for grade 7-9 learners.
• Teacher Training Course An ICT skills learning and training programme for school teachers, providing basic knowledge and skills in information and communications technology for educational support.
• SD Cards with Educational Resources 64 GB SD-cards provided to school learners and their families containing curated, age-appropriate educational resources including learning videos, e-books, audio-books, and previous exam papers aligned with the South African curriculum.
• Movie Making Course A course teaching learners to create short movies from beginning to end, offered in cooperation with Rhodes University Journalism lecturers, covering scripting, shooting, and editing.
• Blockly Course A programming course using Blockly games to teach learners basic programming concepts, previously delivered in partnership with Fondazione Bruno Kessler from Italy.
• Learning Lab A structured programme for a core group of school learners providing access to computers and a composed learning programme, housed in a dedicated computer lab at the Joza Youth Hub.
• School Computer Lab Support Services helping schools revitalise, maintain, and supervise school computer labs, including internet connectivity installation and ongoing technical support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% matric pass rate for Awarenet class of 2021, with 75% achieving bachelor's pass for university entrance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rhodes UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhodes University provides student volunteers through its Community Engagement program (400+ students), maintains partnership with awarenet for Learning Lab installation, and awards annual recognition. The university also hosts maths tutor training workshops and provides venue access for program activities.
• OLICO Maths Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLICO provides an interactive online maths platform and training for tutors to teach grade 7-9 learners. Thabiso from OLICO in Johannesburg conducts tutor training sessions at Rhodes University for awarenet maths tutors.
• Joza Youth HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-partner community hub where awarenet operates its Open Labs in two computer rooms. Hub provides facility space while awarenet provides ICT programs and internet access for the community.
• InkululekominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership with NGO working at Ntsika Secondary School. Joint projects include Green Business Skills Course, Common Ground Café video production, and learner recruitment for core groups.
• SAGE Net.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman organization that coordinates the weltwärts volunteer program. Sends German volunteers to support awarenet for one-year periods and participates in volunteer selection.
• Sudo SocminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhodes University student computer society that assists with computer lab maintenance, hardware cleaning, and Learning Lab installation support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camara Education: Ireland/Africa-based non-profit that refurbishes computers and provides ICT-enabled education to schools in disadvantaged African communities. Highly comparable in operating model (technology distribution + school partnerships) and beneficiary profile.
• The Learning Trust: South African non-profit administering the government Social Employment Fund for NGOs including Awarenet. Peer in funding mechanism and non-profit capacity support for community education programs.
• Project Isizwe: South African non-profit providing free WiFi access in low-income communities. Comparable to Awarenet's Open Lab free internet access model, though operating at significantly larger geographic scale.
• Siyavula Education: South African education technology company producing open-access maths and science textbooks aligned with the CAPS curriculum. Comparable to Awarenet's maths tutoring focus and South African curriculum alignment.
• Click Foundation: South African non-profit delivering digital literacy and English literacy programs to primary school learners in under-resourced schools. Closely comparable to Awarenet in target segment, mission, and use of technology for foundational skills uplift.
• Inkululeko: South African NGO in Makhanda providing educational support to Ntsika Secondary School learners. Active Awarenet partner and direct peer in operating geography and beneficiary segment.
• OLICO Maths Education Foundation: South African non-profit offering online mathematics tutoring for grades 4–9. Awarenet is an OLICO partner and deploys the OLICO platform directly, making OLICO the closest content/technology peer.
• SchoolNet South Africa: South African NGO that supports ICT integration in schools through teacher training and resource provision. Directly comparable to Awarenet's teacher training course and school lab support components.

Emerging players

• African Storybook: Open educational resource initiative distributing freely readable children's storybooks across Africa. Comparable to Awarenet's SD card OER distribution model in mission and open-content approach.
• Code for Africa: Pan-African civic technology initiative that runs digital literacy and data journalism training. Comparable in mission of equipping African youth with technology skills for advancement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/awarenet_news
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/VSASouthAfrica
• Facebookfacebook.com/awarenet.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/awarenet_sa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/village-scribe-association-vzw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Awarenet