i-MED africa

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i-MED africa

A non-profit organization that provides sustainable health education in rural settlements

03/08/2026

This week we had the privilege of spending time with the Ikamva Health Workers, whose home-based care makes a quiet but vital difference in our community. 💙 Caring for others is deeply meaningful, but it also carries a heavy emotional load. Together, we explored the stress cycle—how stress affects the body, how to recognise it, and practical ways to help the body return to a state of calm.

The people who care for our communities deserve care too. Looking after the wellbeing of caregivers isn't a luxury; it's part of building a healthier, more resilient community.

30/07/2026

This week at Kids Club, we tackled a difficult but important topic: alcohol and drugs. 💬 Rather than telling the children what to think, we invited them to talk about what they see, hear, and experience in their own communities. Their honesty, insight, and willingness to ask difficult questions reminded us that young people are more than capable of having meaningful conversations when they're given a safe space to do so.

Good decisions don't begin with rules - they begin with knowledge, trust, and the confidence to think for yourself. 💙

03/07/2026

During our recent visit to Mispah School for children with special educational needs, Unati's gardening lessons focused on introducing the children to different garden tools and their practical uses.

Our learners thoroughly enjoy exploring the equipment and discovering what each tool achieves in the soil. There are always plenty of laughs during these sessions, such as comparing a full-sized garden rake to a toy rake while discussing how a variety of proper tools help us care for and grow healthy plants.

This type of experiential learning is a powerful way for children to develop tangible skills, allowing them to learn by doing rather than simply listening. By handling the tools themselves and actively participating, the children build genuine confidence and deepen their understanding of the natural world. Starting with these foundational skills perfectly lays the groundwork for Horticultural Agency, equipping them with practical gardening knowledge they can use to cultivate sustainable futures for years to come.

29/06/2026

During a recent Kids Club session, learners took part in a vital lesson focused on consent and respecting personal boundaries.

The children explored how consent means asking for permission and fully respecting another person's choice, especially when they say "No." Using the FRIES framework (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific), we broke down the key principles of consent in a simple, age-appropriate way. The children also thoroughly enjoyed watching a short, interactive skit about consent and a cup of tea, which helped bring these abstract concepts to life.

Teaching these foundational skills from a young age is a core element of building Embodied Agency. By equipping children with the vocabulary to express and respect boundaries, we help them build healthy, lifelong relationships rooted in respect, kindness, and deep mutual understanding.

26/06/2026

As part of our “My Body, My Choice” programme, our learners explored simple breathing techniques designed to help calm both body and mind.

Using the fun and engaging props of a fresh flower to smell and a candle to blow out, the children practiced taking slow, deep, deliberate breaths. These interactive exercises helped our learners understand how breathing can be a useful, immediate tool to steady themselves whenever they feel worried, upset, or overwhelmed.

Providing children with these tangible tools is a vital step in fostering Social-Emotional Learning and Embodied Agency. By teaching them how to consciously check in with their bodies, we encourage lifelong self-awareness and equip them with a practical, independent skill they can use to navigate everyday challenges.

22/06/2026

During our Navigating Emotions sessions at Mispah School, our learners explored the concepts of sadness and tears.

The children discussed how sadness is a completely normal emotion and that it is okay to cry, express grief, or need quiet space when we feel hurt, disappointed, or overwhelmed. To bring this theme to life, they participated in a creative activity, painting watercolours over a page that held a secret heart drawn in white crayon. As the dark and bright colours spread across the page like tears, the hidden heart was gently revealed.

This activity served as a visual exercise in Social-Emotional Learning. It helped the children reflect on how allowing ourselves to express our emotions can help us heal, connect with others, and ultimately reveal the resilience, strength, and care that remain inside us even during difficult times.

19/06/2026

At Kids Club, Zimvo, our newest intern, led the children in a fun tower-building challenge focused on teamwork and strengthening the bonds between club members.

Through working together, sharing ideas, and supporting one another, our learners explored what it means to build strong and positive relationships. They also spent time working on their Kids Club saying poster, putting their creativity and collaborative spirit into action.

Activities like these are central to building Social-Emotional Learning and fostering a sense of community. By learning to communicate, listen, and cooperate to solve challenges, the children are developing the foundational skills needed for positive peer relationships and mutual respect.

15/06/2026

A recent Navigating Emotions session focused on “How do I deal with big emotions?”. The children practiced simple breathing and grounding techniques they can use when feelings start to feel too big, learning that even in overwhelming moments, there is a pause between feeling and reacting.

When children have tools to ground themselves, a wider world of choice opens up. Through practice and discussion, they explored ways to stay present, steady, and more in control of what they do next.

12/06/2026

We often hear that play is "important for development," but during a recent Kids Club session, it served a much more fundamental purpose: giving children the chance to just be children, entirely free from pressure or expectation.

We've noticed how easily children can lose touch with their innate ability to invent games and build worlds of their own. Yet, it is incredibly beautiful to see how quickly that spark returns with just a little encouragement. With a few simple materials and an open space, whole worlds of imagination suddenly opened up again.

By stepping back and letting children lead, create, and navigate their own play, we are helping them reclaim their creative confidence, independence, and the simple joy of an unstructured childhood.

08/06/2026

Our team recently had the privilege of attending a vital workshop presented by Brightpath Social Services, focused on the reporting guidelines for suspected child abuse and neglect.

Alecia expertly guided our staff through recognizing early warning signs, navigating legal reporting procedures, and understanding the responsibility we all share in protecting vulnerable children. The session was such a critical priority for our team that Shereen even dialed in remotely straight from her tent while away on a camping holiday. It is absolute proof that safeguarding children is a commitment our team never truly switches off from.

Continuous training like this is a core part of our dedication to child protection. By strengthening our Systems Coordination with local social services, we ensure that the i-MED africa team remains highly equipped, vigilant, and ready to maintain a safe, secure environment for every child in our programs.

Address

10 Mandela Road Masakhane
Gansbaai
7220

Telephone

+27790522307

Website

https://imedafrica.org/

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