My guest today is Hermann Vivier, co-founder of The Surfer Kids nonprofit and Bitcoin Ekasi project. Hermann's journey began in 2010 with the dual goals of creating a tourism business and empowering marginalized youth through surfing. Over time, Bitcoin became a critical tool for his initiatives, particularly when geopolitical challenges forced his business to adopt Bitcoin as a medium of exchange. In this episode, Hermann shares how The Surfer Kids nonprofit uses surfing as a vehicle to teach life skills and foster resilience among South African youth, while Bitcoin Ekasi builds a circular economy, paying salaries in Bitcoin and empowering underserved communities to adopt financial sovereignty. From leveraging Bitcoin to navigate failing state systems to inspiring others through grassroots education, Hermann’s work highlights the transformative potential of Bitcoin as both a medium of exchange and a tool for societal change. Tune in to learn about the unique challenges of operating in underbanked regions, the importance of using Bitcoin as money, and the power of building circular economies.

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-- LINKS –

Hermann’s Twitter: https://x.com/vryfokkenou 

Bitcoin Ekasi’s Twitter: https://x.com/BitcoinEkasi 

Support Bitcoin Ekasi: https://support.bitcoinekasi.com/ 

“Lekker Feeling” - Documentary about Bitcoin Ekasi & Surfer Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8vlzaDSNY0 

Bitcoin Ekasi’s Nostr npub: npub1zkr064avsxmxzaasppamps86ge0npwvft9yu3ymgxmk9umx3xyeq9sk6ec

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-- CHAPTERS –

00:00 Coming Up…

01:06 Introduction

03:59 The Bitcoin Ekasi Project

07:08 “Surfer Kids” Nonprofit and Community Impact

08:31 Bitcoin Adoption and Bank Failures

14:41 Store of Value vs. Medium of Exchange

22:09 The Work of Bitcoin Ekasi & Surfer Kids

33:06 Inspiration from The Bitcoin Beach Model

38:14 Fundraising with Bitcoin

40:01 More Circular Economies In Africa

55:04 Bitcoin vs. CBDCs

1:01:48 Challenges of Onboarding People to Bitcoin

1:06:55 “Covid Red Pilled” Not Getting Orange Pilled  

1:09:08 Bitcoin Regulation in South Africa

1:15:24 Hermann’s Tattoo

1:17:45 Hermann’s Message of Hope