ABOUT OASIS SANCTUARIES
Flourishing is Attainable
Even in the face of suffering, we are allowed to move toward becoming more whole.
We envision a movement from survival to flourishing: restored individuals strengthening families, healthier families shaping communities, and healthier communities transforming the cultures in which they live and serve.
WHY OASIS EXISTS
Oasis Sanctuaries exists to cultivate the conditions in which people can heal, grow, and flourish through restorative care, organizational support, education, and hospitality
Care That is Personal
01
Oasis Sanctuaries exists to cultivate the conditions in which people can heal, grow, and flourish through restorative care, organizational support, education, and hospitality
02
Depth Over Volume
We purposefully care for one individual, couple, or family at a time, facilitating felt-safety and targeted healing.
03
Hospitality That Reduces Mental Load
Accommodation, meals, local transport, and practical coordination make it possible to be fully present for care.
04
A Vision Going Forward
Our work looks beyond the guests’ time with us, exploring sustainable next steps in life, family, and work.
HOW CHANGE HAPPENS
Healthy People → Healthy Organizations → Healthy Communities
Flourishing flows outward. You cannot give away what you do not possess. At Oasis, we believe flourishing begins within the individual, strengthens families, and from there ripples outward into organizations and communities. However important the mission, we do not believe the work should come at the expense of the health of those carrying it. Healthy people are better equipped to build healthy families, organizations, and communities.
Read our Theory of Change →
OUR CONTEXT
Our Local Commitment
We welcome all in search of restorative care. As an organization rooted and living in Cape Town, South Africa our heart is to serve and support those who seek to transform their own local communities.
Our commitment is to ensure our care is both accessible, and contextually appropriate.
Accessible
The cost of mental health care makes it inaccessible to much of Africa. Yet those best positioned to transform communities are often local leaders with the fewest resources. Whenever we can sponsor care, they are our first priority.
Contextually Appropriate
Established Western approaches to psychology and mental health care do not always translate effectively across cultures and contexts. We seek the highest quality care by valuing both professional credentials and lived expertise, and by engaging practitioners who understand the people and contexts they serve.
OUR IMPACT
Care that reaches beyond one retreat.
When an individual or family regains clarity, agency, and relational capacity, the effects reach their children, teams, organisations, and wider communities.
90%
of 2025 guests were from the Global South
Our Team
Our multidisciplinary team brings together deep expertise and experience across a diverse range of professional fields. Our work is further supported by a trusted network of consulting care practitioners, allowing us to draw on additional disciplines and specialized expertise as each situation requires.
Ben Aijian
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Katie Aijian
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
Alexa Russell Matthews
Director of Care
Wouter de Wit
Director of Finance
Josie Martin
Director of Children’s Programming
Ashley Ottow
Administrative Coordinator
Josh Parpatt
Director of Hospitality
Elnie Ottow
Hospitality Coordinator
Kima Hmar
Head Chef
Oscar Meíja
Grantwriter
Esther Parpatt
Hospitality Team
Kim De Wit
Children’s Programming
Maya Meíja
Social Media
Our Board
The Oasis board provides oversight, accountability, strategic guidance, and stewardship for the work and resources entrusted to us.
Scott Agee (Treasurer)
Dr. Nanyamka Redmond, Ph.D.
Tsega Worku, LMFT
Ricki Cooper, BSocSc
Dr. Bonnie McIntyre, Ph.D., MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW
PARTNER IN RESTORATION
Help make meaningful care accessible.
Generous partners help Oasis provide intensive care, scholarship support, and sustainable hospitality for people and families who need a place to recover.
Explore Planned Giving
Give to Oasis