Environmental Learning Research Centre - ELRC

Towards the end of July, a team from the ELRC hosted an activation workshop in Joza Location, Makhanda, to introduce people to our YOMA Green Learn-to-Earn courses.

With the support of UNICEF and DUCT, ELRC scholars in conversation with local youth groups have created two online short courses. One focuses on Agroecology, teaching people about sustainable agriculture and how to grow food at home with minimal resources. The other introduces people to River Monitoring, and how to assess water quality for the benefit of communities and the environment.

The activation in Joza introduced people to the platform and the courses, and assisted them in creating profiles and signing up. 🌳 💦 🥕 They also promoted their new upcoming courses on "Greening Your Place" and "Introduction to Waste Economy". Watch this space!

hashtag

Molweni young people of Makhanda!

Are you interested in a free online learning opportunity that can help you gain skills, grow your own food, and look after our rivers? 🌳🥕

We'd like to invite you to a community outreach campaign where we will support you in registering for 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 on 🔅Agroecology (growing food sustainably with limited resources) and 🔅River Monitoring (making sure the water around us is safe and healthy for communities and the planet) .

We will be at Noluthando Community Hall tomorrow morning to help get you started on your learning journey.

Our team will assist participants with:
🔸Registering on the YOMA platform
🔸Enrolling in free Green Learn2Earn courses
🔸Completing their first learning modules

Why should you attend? (benefits):
-Industry-relevant green skills in Agroecology https://atlas.org.za/agroecology/
and River Monitoring https://atlas.org.za/river-water-monitoring/
-Free certificates that strengthen your CV.
-Improved employability and opportunities for future work
-Flexible online learning that you can complete at your own pace.
-The opportunity to participate in the second national GreenLearn2Earn Competition and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

Together, we're empowering young South Africans to learn, earn, and thrive while building greener, stronger communities.

📲Bring your smartphone and let us help you register https://yoma.world/

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: 22 July 2026 (Wednesday)
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 09:30 – 13:00
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: Noluthando Community Hall, Joza, Makhanda.

Please note: You can register yourself online and access the courses by scanning the QR on the poster or through the link https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/

Rhodes University RUCE: Rhodes University Community Engagement Grahamstown Makhanda Joza Youth Hub Assumption Development Centre Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa - EEASA Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset Rotary Club of Grahamstown Food 4 Futures

Molweni young people of Grahamstown Makhanda!

Are you interested in a free, certified online learning opportunity that can help you gain skills, grow your own food, and look after our rivers?🌳☀️

We invite youths from Xolani, Phumlani, Joza, Extension 1-10, Khayelitsha, Vukani, Hlalani and Lingelihle, Fingo, Tantyi, Enkanini, Vergenoeg, Hoogenoeg and surrounding areas to meet at Noluthando Community Hall, Joza, on Wednesday 22th July 2026, 9.30AM - 1PM.

We will support you to register and navigate the online GreenLearn2Earn Atlas platform https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/

Why should you attend? (benefits):

-Industry-relevant green skills in Agroecology https://atlas.org.za/agroecology/ and River Monitoring https://atlas.org.za/river-water-monitoring/
-Free certificates that strengthen your CV.
-Improved employability and opportunities for future work
-Flexible online learning that you can complete at your own pace.
-The opportunity to participate in the second National Green Learn2Earn Competition and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

Bring your smartphone and let us help you register https://yoma.world/ for FREE!

Tell/tag a friend, family member, or any young person who shouldn't miss this opportunity.

Please note: You can register yourself online and access the courses by scanning the QR on the poster or through this link: https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/

Rhodes University Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa - EEASA DUCT Rivers GroundTruth RUCE: Rhodes University Community Engagement Yoma World WESSA - Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa - Eastern Cape Accenture Assumption Development Centre Joza Youth Hub Joza Youth Hub River Rescue - Uthando lwemilambo Umthathi Training Project Grocott's Mail

Molweni young people of Grahamstown Makhanda!

Are you interested in a free, certified online learning opportunity that can help you gain skills, grow your own food, and look after our rivers?🌳☀️

We'd like to invite you to a community outreach campaign at Noluthando Community hall, Joza, on Wednesday 22th July 2026, 9:30AM-1PM.

We will support you in registering for the online courses and help get you started on your learning journey.

Why should you attend? (benefits):
-Industry-relevant green skills in Agroecology https://atlas.org.za/agroecology/ and River Monitoring https://atlas.org.za/river-water-monitoring/
-Free certificates that strengthen your CV.
-Improved employability and opportunities for future work
-Flexible online learning that you can complete at your own pace.
-The opportunity to participate in the second National GreenLearn2Earn Competition and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

Bring your smartphone📱

Tell/tag a friend, family member, or any young person who shouldn't miss out on this opportunity.

Please note: You can register yourself online and access the courses by scan the QR on the poster or through this link: https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/

Rhodes University GroundTruth Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa - EEASA DUCT Rivers RUCE: Rhodes University Community Engagement UNICEF South Africa Yoma World Accenture Assumption Development Centre WESSA - Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa - Eastern Cape Grahamstown Makhanda

Hello, Molweni, Sanibonani, Thobela, Dumelang Youths!!!

Once again, we bring to you good news about the Green Learn2Earn Competition that will run across South Africa, creating more opportunities for young people to gain valuable skills, earn recognised certificates, and compete for exciting prizes!

Additionally, the nationwide community outreach campaign kicks off in Grahamstown Makhanda, where we will be working directly with young people to help them register https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/ for FREE online courses and start their learning journey.

What: Makhanda Community Outreach
When: 22 July 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 09:30 – 13:00
Where: Noluthando Community Hall, Joza, Makhanda.

Our team will be on-site to assist participants with:
✅ Registering on the YOMA platform
✅ Enrolling in free Green Learn2Earn courses
✅ Completing their first learning modules

Why should you attend? (benefits):
-Industry-relevant green skills in Agroecology https://atlas.org.za/agroecology/ and River Monitoring https://atlas.org.za/river-water-monitoring/
-Free certificates that strengthen your CV.
-Improved employability and opportunities for future work
-Flexible online learning that you can complete at your own pace.
-The opportunity to participate in the Second national Green
-Learn2Earn Competition and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

Together, we're empowering young South Africans to Learn, Earn, and Thrive while building greener, stronger communities.
📲 Bring your smartphone and let us help you register https://yoma.world/ for FREE!

Tell/Tag a friend, family member, or any youth who shouldn't miss this opportunity. Let's continue to inspire youths, the leaders and professional of tomorrow!

Please note that;
You can register yourself online and access the courses by scan the QR on the poster or through the link https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/

Rhodes University Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa - EEASA GroundTruth DUCT Rivers UNICEF South Africa Accenture Assumption Development Centre Grahamstown Makhanda Global South Opportunities RUCE: Rhodes University Community Engagement WESSA - Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa - Eastern Cape National Youth Development Agency Yoma World

Are you interested in transformative learning that has the power to make real change in the world? Do you want to support people to learn from and with each other to enable environmental and social change? 🌱 🔆Consider applying to our Master's in Environmental Education for 2027.

Heila Sisitka Taryn Pereira Rhodes University Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa - EEASA DUCT Rivers GroundTruth

Hello, Molweni, Sanibonani, Thobela, Dumelang Youths!!!

Once again, we bring to you good news about the Green Learn2Earn Competition that will run across South Africa, creating more opportunities for young people to gain valuable skills, earn recognised certificates, and compete for exciting prizes!

Additionally, the nationwide community outreach campaign kicks off in Grahamstown Makhanda, where we will be working directly with young people to help them register https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/ for FREE online courses and start their learning journey.

What: Makhanda Community Outreach
When: 22 July 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 09:30 – 13:00
Where: Noluthando Community Hall, Joza, Makhanda.

Our team will be on-site to assist participants with:
✅ Registering on the YOMA platform
✅ Enrolling in free Green Learn2Earn courses
✅ Completing their first learning modules

Why should you attend? (benefits):
-Industry-relevant green skills in Agroecology https://atlas.org.za/agroecology/ and River Monitoring https://atlas.org.za/river-water-monitoring/
-Free certificates that strengthen your CV.
-Improved employability and opportunities for future work
-Flexible online learning that you can complete at your own pace.
-The opportunity to participate in the Second national Green
-Learn2Earn Competition and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

Together, we're empowering young South Africans to Learn, Earn, and Thrive while building greener, stronger communities.
📲 Bring your smartphone and let us help you register https://yoma.world/ for FREE!

Tell/Tag a friend, family member, or any youth who shouldn't miss this opportunity. Let's continue to inspire youths, the leaders and professional of tomorrow!

Please note that;
You can register yourself online and access the courses by scan the QR on the poster or through the link https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/

Rhodes University GroundTruth UNICEF South Africa DUCT Rivers RUCE: Rhodes University Community Engagement Grahamstown Makhanda National Youth Development Agency Yoma World Global South Opportunities Education Association of Southern Africa - EEASA

🌍 BIG NEWS BIG NEWS!
The Green Learn2Earn Competition is back and bigger 🇿🇦

We are excited to announce that the Green Learn2Earn Competition is back and bigger across South Africa, creating more opportunities for young people to gain valuable skills, earn recognised certificates, and compete for exciting prizes!

Also, the nationwide community outreach campaign kicks off in Grahamstown Makhanda, where we will be working directly with young people to help them register https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/ for FREE online courses and start their learning journey.

SAVE THE DATE!!!!
📍 Venue: Makhanda Community Outreach
📅 22 July 2026 (Wednesday)
🕤 09:30 – 13:00
📍 Noluthando Community Hall, Joza, Makhanda

Our team will be on-site to assist participants with:
✅ Registering on the YOMA platform
✅ Enrolling in free Green Learn2Earn courses
✅ Completing their first learning modules

Why should young people join?
Whether you're unemployed, self-employed, running a small informal business, farming, or simply looking to improve your future, these FREE online courses are designed to help you build practical skills that matter.

Participants will benefit from:
🌱 Industry-relevant green skills in Agroecology https://atlas.org.za/agroecology/ and River Monitoring https://atlas.org.za/river-water-monitoring/
🎓 Free certificates that strengthen your CV.
💼 Improved employability and opportunities for future work
📱 Flexible online learning that you can complete at your own pace.
🤝 Access to a growing network of young changemakers.
🏆 The opportunity to participate in the Second national Green Learn2Earn Competition and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

Together, we're empowering young South Africans to Learn, Earn, and Thrive while building greener, stronger communities.

📲 Bring your smartphone and let us help you register https://yoma.world/ for FREE!

Tell/Tag a friend, family member, or young entrepreneur who shouldn't miss this opportunity. Let's inspire youths and communities across South Africa!

Please note that;
You can as well register yourself online and access the courses by scan the QR on the poster or through the link https://atlas.org.za/learn2earn/

Yoma World Grahamstown Makhanda Rhodes University DUCT Rivers GroundTruth UNICEF South Africa RUCE: Rhodes University Community Engagement Accenture Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment South African Youth Climate Change Coalition
WESSA - Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa - Eastern Cape Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa - EEASA

Today

In many rural and urban areas across the country, a basic human right goes unfulfilled: the right to clean, physically accessible, and affordable water. Globally, girls and women spend an estimated 200 million hours each day collecting water, often walking long, risk-laden paths amid unreliable water services and increasing floods and drought.

This Monday at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, ELRC Postdoctoral Scholar, Dr Sarah Van Borek, PhD, will be showing her new co-created interactive AI-assisted film exploring water and gender justice: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘵.

“It takes courage to be a girl, especially when fetching water,” is the tagline of the participatory film, which was made in collaboration with girls from the informal settlement of Khayelitsha, Cape Town, and the non-profit organisation, Black Girls Rising.

Here, running water is inconsistent and communities often rely on communal taps or water tankers, with young woman regularly carrying the burden of providing this vital resource for themselves and their families.

The movie blends documentary with dramatic scenes based on girls’ lived experiences to explore how water inequality disproportionately affects girls and young women, particularly in the time they spend, and the risks incurred while waiting for, collecting, and managing water daily in a country rampant with violent crime and gender-based violence.

But rather than portraying them as victims, the film emphasises how in the face of these challenges, these young women lead, show courage, and draw on personal and community points of resiliency, while advocating for more just water access.

The film was developed as part of Van Borek’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship with the ELRC, in partnership with Black Girls Rising, and in collaboration with the Future Water Institute UCT.

It is also supported by The British Academy (BA) through its 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 global convening programme, a broader initiative in which the ELRC is a collaborator. The BA research programme centres the role of time in questions of justice, access, and inclusion related to sustainability and climate change.

When: Monday 21 June 1 - 2.30 PM
Where: Room 20, The Environmental Learning Research Centre, Rhodes University.

National Arts Festival Makhanda Rhodes University Grocott's Mail

In many rural and urban areas across the country, a basic human right goes unfulfilled: the right to clean, physically accessible, and affordable water. Globally, girls and women spend an estimated 200 million hours each day collecting water, often walking long, risk-laden paths amid unreliable water services and increasing floods and drought.

This Monday at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, ELRC Postdoctoral Scholar, Dr Sarah Van Borek, PhD, will be showing her new co-created interactive AI-assisted film exploring water and gender justice: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘵.

“It takes courage to be a girl, especially when fetching water,” is the tagline of the participatory film, which was made in collaboration with girls from the informal settlement of Khayelitsha, Cape Town, and the non-profit organisation, Black Girls Rising.

Here, running water is inconsistent and communities often rely on communal taps or water tankers, with young woman regularly carrying the burden of providing this vital resource for themselves and their families.

The movie blends documentary with dramatic scenes based on girls’ lived experiences to explore how water inequality disproportionately affects girls and young women, particularly in the time they spend, and the risks incurred while waiting for, collecting, and managing water daily in a country rampant with violent crime and gender-based violence.

But rather than portraying them as victims, the film emphasises how in the face of these challenges, these young women lead, show courage, and draw on personal and community points of resiliency, while advocating for more just water access.

The film was developed as part of Van Borek’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship with the ELRC, in partnership with Black Girls Rising, and in collaboration with the Future Water Institute UCT.

It is also supported by The British Academy (BA) through its 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 global convening programme, a broader initiative in which the ELRC is a collaborator. The BA research programme centres the role of time in questions of justice, access, and inclusion related to sustainability and climate change.

When: Monday 21 June 1 - 2.30 PM
Where: Room 20, The Environmental Learning Research Centre, Rhodes University.

National Arts Festival Makhanda Rhodes University Grocott's Mail