Thriving Hub Gardens
What was once dry, fallow soil is now alive with promise.
i-MED africa
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Established in 2019, i-MED africa Gansbaai is based in Masakhane, an informal settlement about two hours from Cape Town International Airport.
Over time, the organisation has grown to bring sustainable improvements to communities across the Overstrand.
1. Physical
2. Nutritional
3. Emotional
4. Social
i-MED africa has a strong team that includes full-time employees and volunteers who are all experts in their fields.
Faye Graham - Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Lawyer
Shereen van der Merwe - Councillor
Marne Jacobs - Registered Nurse
Unati Siyotula - Horticulturalist
Dr Marishka de Jong - Medical Doctor
Dr Lisa Graham - Immunologist
Angie Meyer - HR and Financial Specialist
Advocate Faye Graham - Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Lawyer
Nosabata Nodlolo - Community Specialist
The i-MED africa Health Centre is a vibrant community hub aimed at improving health, education and well-being. It is a supportive environment where the community can learn, and connect while fostering resilience and self-reliance.
It provides a safe and welcoming space where community members can access essential resources, including free Wi-Fi for learning and communication. They can also engage in skills development programs like ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training).
The centre features a flourishing community garden, where fresh produce and medicinal plants are cultivated, promoting hands-on learning opportunities and promoting food security.
In addition to its educational offerings, the centre serves as a venue for psychological first aid, providing immediate emotional support during times of crisis.
i-MED africa offers access to health education for parents, caregivers and teachers using an education App and on-site training at the Health-E-Centre in Masakhane.
A training and support system enhances and improves access to the community’s medical knowledge to recognise early warning signs of the following:
i-MED africa hosts workshops on various mental health topics that include:
Psychoeducation
Offers guidance to help people understand mental health challenges and build resilience through knowledge and coping strategies.
Psychological First Aid
Provides immediate emotional support during crises, promoting calm and connection.
Support Groups
Offer safe spaces where the community can share experiences, build connections, and heal together.
School Programmes
Help children develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and coping skills through fun, age-appropriate activities.
i-MED africa brings essential health services and education to the community through home visits and clinic outreach via its Health Promoter Outreach Project.
Health promoters actively go into the field, visiting homes to provide personalised support, educate families on health practices, and identify potential health issues early. They work closely with new mothers, offering antenatal and postnatal care, and ensuring children meet developmental milestones.
In clinics, health promoters collaborate with healthcare professionals to deliver group sessions on topics such as nutrition, hygiene, and mental health, while also promoting the use of the i-MED People App for ongoing health guidance. By meeting individuals where they are, health promoters help bridge the gap between healthcare services and the community, ensuring that even the most vulnerable have access to the knowledge and resources needed to improve their health and well-being.
The i-MED africa Horticultural Project is a program that encourages gardening to help improve health, and nutrition while caring for the environment.
A community-driven initiative where members learn practical gardening skills, share knowledge, and foster a sense of collective responsibility.
The club hosts regular workshops on topics such as composting, pest management, and seasonal planting.
i-MED Africa helps families establish gardens by providing seedlings, tools, and expert guidance.
These gardens empower households to grow fresh produce and medicinal herbs, enhancing food security and promoting self-sufficiency.
Central to the horticultural project, communal gardens are shared spaces where residents cultivate vegetables and medicinal plants as a team.
These gardens provide access to nutritious food and alternative medicines.
This program introduces children to gardening through hands-on activities that teach them the basics of planting, nurturing, and harvesting herbs and vegetables.
Early environmental awareness connects children with nature while promoting healthy eating habits.
Health promoters and garden club members receive essential resources, including seeds, gardening tools, and educational materials, to support their efforts in promoting sustainable gardening and health practices within their communities.
i-MED Africa's People App is a free mobile app available to anyone who wants information about children’s health.
One of the key features of the People’s App is it works offline. By selecting the symptoms a child is experiencing, the app offers advice on what to do next, helping users determine if immediate medical help is needed or if local home remedies can be used.
Download the i-MED People App today! Simply scan the QR code to get started.
i-MED africa provides specialised corporate training services designed to enhance wellness and improve performance in the workplace.
The programmes are tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and organisations and focus on building practical and emotional skills, such as stress management, emotional intelligence, and effective communication.
Importantly, revenue from these corporate training services directly funds i-MED africa’s outreach and community initiatives. This sustainable model ensures that while businesses gain valuable tools to improve workplace well-being, the broader community benefits from expanded access to health education, support services, and essential resources.
i-MED Africa invites you to get involved in their initiatives and be part of a team making a real difference in the community. By joining, you will help bring about meaningful change and support efforts that improve health and well-being for those in need.
If you’re a specialist in mental health, child health, or horticulture, i-MED Africa invites you to work with their team to create helpful educational content.
They’re also looking for researchers in areas like monitoring and evaluation, medicinal herbs, community health, and mental health to help develop practical, evidence-based solutions for their programs.
Volunteering is a great way to get directly involved, and to see the work in action.
You get to join health promoters, visit homes, lead community workshops, and support health in areas that need it most.
If you have skills in law, finance, human resources, or community health and believe you can contribute to the leadership team, i-MED Africa invites you to apply with your CV to become a board member.
At i-MED Africa, every donation - big or small - plays a vital role in creating lasting change in the communities it serves.
Here’s how your support can make a difference:
i-MED africa thanks its supporters:
Dear i-MED africa Team,
I am writing this letter with a heart overflowing with gratitude and joy to express our deepest appreciation for the incredible experience we had volunteering with your organisation, in Gansbaai, South Africa. The two weeks spent with your team have left an indelible mark on our lives, and we are immensely thankful for the opportunity to be a part of your impactful work.
Working alongside your dedicated team was an absolute pleasure. Their passion, commitment, and warmth made the entire experience not just meaningful but truly unforgettable. Together, we embarked on a journey to bring mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork to the teachers and children of the local schools. The positive impact we witnessed in the community was profound, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support and guidance of your team.
The workshops we collaborated on to promote holistic health were met with enthusiasm and openness from the community members. It was heartening to see how our efforts, combined with the dedication of i-MED africa make a difference in the lives of those in your community. Additionally, the initiative to educate the community about fetal alcohol syndrome is a testament to the organisation's commitment to holistic well-being.
The love and hospitality we received from the community made us feel not just welcomed but truly at home. The bonds formed and the shared moments of laughter and learning are treasures we will always cherish.
In closing, I want to express our sincere thanks for the opportunity to be a part of i-MED africa's incredible work. The positive impact you are making in communities is inspiring, and we feel blessed to have been a small part of it. We hope to return in the future and continue supporting your vital mission.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Mary and Rachel Winn
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