MOVEMENT OF CHANGE AND HOPE

A beacon of Hope

In a world where access to healthcare and health education remains a massive challenge, a group of dedicated young people has emerged as a "beacon of hope." They participated in our one-year i-MED Health Promoter Program in 2022 and graduated with distinction. Now, they are working as part of the "Health Revolution for Children" with i-MED vision and i-MED africa in the Overberg region, supporting the lives of those who have been long neglected by the public health system. Through their commitment and tireless efforts, they provide not only medical and health-related support for children and families in so-called townships but also make a significant contribution to strengthening people's self-esteem through empowerment.

Empowerment Through Education

They visit families in their huts, go into small informal kindergartens, and organize community workshops on key issues in the field of child health. Specific topics include: information about necessary vaccinations and the coordination of vaccination campaigns with the local Day-Clinic, family planning, hygiene, early detection of developmental disorders, breastfeeding workshops for young mothers and pregnant women, HIV education, and much more. In treatment recommendations, i-MED vision complements conventional medical approaches with traditional natural healing methods. This approach generates immense interest among people, builds trust, and connects with cultural traditions. We find that the workshops, in addition to mere knowledge transfer, act somewhat as catalysts for change, enabling people to take responsibility for their health and motivating them to lead a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families, thereby achieving an improved quality of life.

Vegetable Gardens for Food Security

A very crucial aspect of our health promoters' work is supporting the creation of vegetable gardens for healthy eating habits. They actively help in the establishment and maintenance of community gardens and assist families in setting up their own small gardens. In all our activities, we experience secondary effects beyond the primary gain, which are effective and visible in a comprehensive sense on a higher level. Here, the vibrant green spaces not only provide access to fresh and nutrient-rich products but also serve as symbols of community by promoting well-being through the collaboration of people.

Self-Support Groups as Low-Threshold Therapy Options

In the daily encounters of the health promoters with families, in conversations, and especially in active listening, spaces open up where people talk about their worries, traumas, and mental difficulties for the first time. Here too, new processes are initiated, which we pick up and offer people low-threshold therapy options in our i-MED Mental Health Self-Support Groups.

The i-MED People App

In the era of digitalization, the i-MED Health Promoters utilize new technologies to increase their influence, reach, and the sustainability of their educational work. The i-MED People-App serves as a guide for child health, available offline as a constant companion for families and kindergarten teachers and multipliers. It helps to adequately respond to health issues at any time.

"The i-MED Health Promoters are not just advocates for health; they support people in improving their overall quality of life, resilience, and independence. Through their holistic approach, they are catalysts for a movement of change and hope."