2024-01-26 –, Blink Stage
Presenting a novel approach of using Bitcoin as an incentive model for students from underprivileged backgrounds to achieve academic excellence
Education is in a crisis in South Africa. The disparity between the education quality provided by private schools and government schools is bigger than ever before and bright students of underprivileged backgrounds are unable to reach their true potential simply because of the quality of education available to them. Crew for a Cause is a South African education charity that works with exceptional high school students who cannot afford a quality education. They place them in top quality schools and provide mentorship throughout their high school career. They have introduced a Bitcoin policy which seeks to incentivize exceptional academic performance, by providing each student in their program with a Bitcoin wallet at the start of their high school career, which the charity allocates Bitcoin too on an annual basis. Should these students graduate high school and reach pre-defined KPI's then the Bitcoin wallet becomes available to them, so that they have a nest egg to start their professional life or tertiary education with.
Ricki owns and operates a Bitcoin consulting and Bitcoin hardware firm, focused on self custody and long term Bitcoin planning, called Bitcoin Only. He also is the founder of a local Bitcoin podcast called By The Horns, which investigates Bitcoin stories, individuals and companies from a South African perspective. He has been involved in numerous Bitcoin startups and projects and has a passion for Bitcoin education and utilizing the tools at hand to make Bitcoin useful and accessible to the average man on the street.
