I am growingly convinced that a serious dialogue over the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on small-scale #farmers in #rural #SouthAfrica (or any other rural setting for that matter) must include the highlighting of and strategic support to help overcome the challenges posed by low literacy levels and lack of access to essential infrastructure like electricity and the internet. youtu.be/fRpynRMt4bA

🌻 Learning Academy Worldwide has a new home: laww.org.za 🌻 Launched 9 October 2026. Here’s what we do, and how you can help Haarlem keep rising 👇 Since 2019, we’ve worked in rural South Africa with one conviction: these communities are not “under-resourced.” They are rich in skills, knowledge and people. Our mission is to bring dignity and a renewed sense of purpose to children, young people and adults by putting learning and vocational training right at the heart of the community. 🌱 AgrAcademy A certified bridging programme that takes young people from survival-based work to business development, financial mastery and digital literacy. Participants are launching their own independent rural businesses right now. 👩🏾‍🌾 Farmers as Teachers Some of the best agricultural knowledge isn’t in textbooks. It’s in the hands of farmers who have worked the land in Haarlem in the Langkloof for generations. “‘n Boer maak ‘n plan” is expertise that emerging farmers, NGOs and city dwellers are actively looking for. This peer-to-peer model turns experienced farmers into educators. Local wisdom is preserved, newcomers get practical shortcuts, and farmers gain a new income from what they know. 🐄 Animal Health Training in livestock nutrition and disease management, now extended to companion animals through pet sterilisation campaigns and dog shelters. 🏪 The Business of Community Championing small enterprises across the Langkloof Valley in food, trades, agriculture, tourism and tech, including student-led web design. 📻 Haarlem Community Radio A local voice for local stories, updates and learning. 🎓 Wisehub Summits Tackling skills gaps in deaf education, maths and science, youth workforce development, health and project-based learning. 🇪🇺 Seed4Africa (EU Erasmus+, 2023–2025) As the South African partner, we helped raise the profile of agricultural vocational teachers. Educators from Haarlem, George and Concordia job-shadowed in Spain, Belgium, Italy and Sweden. Our national hackathon in Victoria Bay was won by Concordia Care from the Northern Cape, with a project on food security in dry climates using traditional, equipment-light farming. They went on to represent South Africa at the Social Hackathon Umbria in Italy among 400+ participants. 🏆 🌍 Partners We work with partners in Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Italy, alongside Nelson Mandela University (George Campus). We also have a recurring presence at GreenTech Amsterdam, where I've moderated panels on CO2 and water as a controllable asset. ❗ URGENT APPEAL In 2025, Haarlem’s young people turned bare ground into a thriving harvest, ending in the town’s first-ever Sunflower Festival & Farmers’ Market. We’re raising €8,800 to help me get back to South Africa for the second phase. The funds cover travel, training materials and local support to launch the next season of hands-on agricultural and vocational training. 💛 Donate: laww.org.za/urgentappeal.htm… Please repost 🙏 Every share helps. Learn. Adapt. Wise-up. Live. #LAWW #Haarlem #Langkloof #FarmersAsTeachers #RuralSouthAfrica #AgriEducation #VocationalTraining #ErasmusPlus

This one is especially for you @CormacRussell whose inspiring work injected meaningful insight into the work we do in the community of #Haarlem in the #SouthernCape in #SouthAfrica. @SvenIsaksson Broadcasting out community radio in the rural town of the beautiful Langkloof region in South Africa. 📻 Tune in TONIGHT at 20h00 - Musical prelude starts at 19h45 - Haarlem ❤️ Streams! 🎶 Get cozy and join us for another wonderful evening of connection, music, and great conversations! Here is what we have lined up for you tonight: 🐾 Animal Healthcare (Part 2): Christine Malone is back with more valuable advice and tips for our furry friends. 🎙️ Local Voices: We’re sitting down for an inspiring interview with two of our local business owners, @⁨Nico Scholtz⁩ Nico Scholtz and @⁨Reagan Haarlem Abrahams⁩ Reagan Abrahams. 🎵 Lovely Music: Beautiful tunes sprinkled throughout the evening to relax and uplift your spirit. 🧩 Mind Challenge: Get ready for our weekly fun challenge - a creative way for us to engage and reward our listeners!. 🎁 BIG Announcement: We have some very special, exciting news to share that will impact 5 families—you definitely won't want to miss this! Click the link below to listen in with us tonight: 👉 haarlem.family/radio 👉 player.haarlem.co.za/ 👉 app.radiocult.fm/embed/playe…

Well done Connor.

My GreenTech 2026 Reflection: Empowering the Future of AgriTech 🌍🌱 youtu.be/RsrWtc74QvE #GreenTech2026 #AgriTech #SustainableAgriculture #VocationalTraining #SouthAfrica #AgricultureInnovation #LearningAcademyWorldwide #Haarlem

What an incredible few days in #Amsterdam at the #GreenTech Amsterdam event. I have already diarised to return 14-16 June 2027. I’ve often been asked: What does a vocational training organization from South Africa do at the world’s undisputed #1 horticulture technology event? My reflection in this video provides part of the answer. Let the milestones continue! Let the impact continue! #Thankyou to everyone who makes the efforts of #LearningAcademyWorldwide in high stakes communities possible. @Acumen4Life @SvenIsaksson @AgriAllAfrica @GreenTechRAI @GreentecF @AgriWesKaap @Wesgro @WCGovAgri @UK_UAT

From digital screens to the soil of South Africa! The students of Haarlem are redefining what it means to be a scholar. In 2025, they’ve taken learning beyond the classroom to plant: 🥔 3,800+ Potato seeds 🌻 3,700+ Sunflower seeds 🌾 800m²+ of diverse crops 🚀🇿🇦 #Education #Sustainability #AgriTech #SouthAfrica #Innovation2026 #HaarlemHarvest2026 youtu.be/SUy5VtV3iis?si=FnSe…

I've had the honour of witnessing an inspiring movement in #Haarlem, #South Africa, where experienced community members are actively shaping the future of our students. This powerful learning environment unfolded during my 70-day work here as part of the Learning Academy Worldwide #vocational #training in #agriculture programme. During this intensive period, where we planted 3,000 square metres of potatoes, just over a third of a hectare of animal feed, sunflowers and various other crops (including pumpkin, carrots, spinach, butternut, and beetroot), local expertise proved invaluable. It is a powerful model of mentorship and leading by example. This video shows the strength in this little rural gem in South Africa - the Local Mentors & Community Treasures @CormacRussell @SvenIsaksson @Gugulethu_CM

Season 4 - Episode 6 - New Pack for Upliftment - 2 Month Project xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1mrGmBXrQ…

Season 4 - Episode 6 - New Pack for Upliftment - 2 Month Project xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1kvKpMYRR…

Season 4 - Episode 5 - New Pack for Upliftment - Water Crisis II xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1RDGlAXkN…

Season 4 - Episode 4 - New Pack for Upliftment - Water Crisis xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1lPKqvaEj…

Season 4 - Episode 4 - New Pack for Upliftment - Water Crisis xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1kvJpMDrz…

Wow! Lloyd, you beauty. Ousting Baez in round one and on to round 2 at ⁦@usopen⁩. Well done sure! Immensely proud South African! ⁦@TennisSA⁩

Season 4 - Episode 3 - New Pack for Upliftment - Who do you turn to? xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1lDGLBZWB…

Season 4 - Episode 2 - New Pack for Upliftment xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1RDxlAEZN…