It Started With a Moment at Home

HelloAida began when my Grade 5 daughter discovered ChatGPT could finish her homework for her. The answers were instant — but what was missing was her struggle, her reasoning, her thinking.

As a mother, that worried me. As a systems analyst and entrepreneur, it lit a fire. I knew that if my child was leaning on AI this way, millions of learners across South Africa would too — and without the right structure, they risk losing the very skills they need most: critical thinking, problem-solving, and confidence in their own ideas.

"But there's a bigger issue: not all children start from the same place."

Some grow up with smaller classes, private tutors, and parents who can step in at homework time. Many others don't. They sit in overcrowded classrooms of 40–50 learners, then go home to empty houses where there is no one to help them. For these children, the gap only widens — not because they are less capable, but because the support systems around them are unequal.

That's Why HelloAida Was Created

To Bridge That Divide

The Journey

The Moment

A Mother's Worry

When my Grade 5 daughter discovered ChatGPT could finish her homework instantly, I saw the missing piece: her struggle, her reasoning, her thinking.

The Reality

The Divide

Some children have small classes and private tutors. Others sit in classrooms of 40-50, then go home to empty houses. The gap only widens — not because they're less capable, but because support is unequal.

The Solution

HelloAida is Born

To bridge that divide. To ensure no child is left behind simply because of the school they attend or the resources their family can't afford.

Meet Leora Hessen

I am Leora Hessen — entrepreneur, educator, and innovation leader with more than 27 years of experience across retail, e-commerce, and emerging technologies.

Before HelloAida, I founded Artjamming South Africa, a creative education franchise that transformed learning into play and gave thousands of children and families the chance to explore art as a way of thinking, connecting, and expressing themselves. Building Artjamming taught me that when learning is accessible, joyful, and hands-on, every child thrives.

My background as a qualified Systems Analyst and Certified Applied Blockchain & AI professional has allowed me to merge creativity and technology into real-world solutions.

Recognition & Achievements

Women-in-Tech Africa

Amazon Award for Web3

Women-in-Tech International

Global Runner-Up (UAE)

Artjamming South Africa

Creative Education Franchise Founder

I also serve on education boards because shaping education has never been just a business pursuit — it's a calling.

Built With Purpose

HelloAida is built to uplift education, to make tutoring affordable, multilingual, and accessible, and to ensure that no child is left behind simply because of the school they attend or the resources their family can't afford.

This is more than technology. It's about unlocking opportunity, protecting the spark of learning, and helping every child in South Africa — and the world — to learn not just the answers, but how to think.