ABOUT OASIS SANCTUARIES
Meet the Oasis team.
A collaborative team of care professionals, programme leaders, and hospitality staff working together so each guest feels known, supported, and never like a number.
Care is personal.
So is our team.
Oasis brings together different skills around one shared purpose: creating a compassionate, professionally informed place for ministry workers and their families to pause, recover capacity, and move forward with greater clarity. Each person contributes to the welcome, care, planning, and practical detail that make an Oasis Intensive possible.
Ben Aijian
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Ben holds a Master’s degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, where he is also pursuing a Doctorate exploring the efficacy of burnout interventions among full-time nonprofit and ministry workers. With over 12 years of experience serving in Africa, Ben has worked closely with nonprofit and ministry leaders to address burnout and promote sustainable leadership.
Katie Aijian
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
Katie has a Masters in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, which focused on developing cross cultural organizations. She brings over nine years of experience living and serving in Africa, where she has supported nonprofit and ministry leaders through operational leadership, hospitality & retreat care. She has a passion for helping people become mental health conscious & trauma aware.
Alexa Russell Matthews, BSocSc
Director of Care
Alexa has a Masters of Social Work with 22 years of experience, specialising in play therapy. She was drawn to the field through volunteer work, guided by her faith. Seeking to develop emotional, psychological, and practical skills, she completed a Master’s degree in Social Work in Play Therapy. Her personal mission is to affirm each person’s inherent dignity, beginning through meaningful relationships.
Wouter de Wit
Director of Finance
Holds an MBA from the Graduate School of Business (GSB-UCT) with a specialisation in Entrepreneurship. He has owned and managed organisations that are committed to business as a means for social change for the past 20 years.
Josie Martin
Director of Children’s Programming
Josie has many years of experience facilitating children’s education, discipleship, & mentorship programs throughout the world. She has been in full time ministry for over twenty years in advocacy, a majority of which has been cross-cultural experience (in Brazil, Thailand, New Zealand, Zimbabwe & Mozambique). She has experience working with at-risk youth, third-culture kids, and teens/young adults in seasons of transition. She is responsible for our child care & debriefing.
Ashley Ottow
Administrative Coordinator
Ashley has worked in full-time ministry and discipleship for 20+ years. She has certification in Mental Health Coaching with the American Association of Christian Counselors, and she is currently pursuing an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling. Her heart is to create supportive environments through her passion for administration and pastoral care so others can grow closer to God and live in their purpose.
Josh Parpatt
Director of Hospitality
Josh has extensive experience making hospitality practical, with great attention to detail of how to personalize each retreat and make sure everything runs smoothly. From picking guests up at the airport, to make sure our vehicles and buildings are maintained, Josh makes sure our guests can fully be present without any added stressors.
Elnie Ottow
Hospitality Team Coordinator
Elnie has served in full time ministry service since 2010. Originally from the Netherlands yet born in Kenya, he has a heart for the African continent and specifically those that care for others. He has served facilitating community events, led international volunteer work and served in mentorship.
Kima Hmar
Head Chef
Kima Hmar comes from India and has lived in Cape Town with his wife Elaine since 2021. He is currently interning as a chef at a top restaurant in Cape Town after studying at Silwood School of Cookery, and is passionate about creating a space to connect people through food. In his free time he facilitates monthly workshops on cooking Indian food as a way to introduce people to the history and foods of the ancient spice route.
Oscar Mejía
Grantwriter
Oscar has a passion for financial stewardship and capital building to support the vision of nonprofits. With past experience in resource mobilization in the international development field, he brings a wealth of knowledge on how to apply for grants to support our growth.
Kim de Wit
Children’s Programming
Kim is passionate about caring for families. She has a degree in Early Childhood Development and is loves to create opportunities for children to develop and shine. While Kim primary (works with / listens) and equips the children, she always aims for families to be cared for as a whole.
Esther Parpatt
Hospitality Team
Esther is part of the Hospitality Team and is passionate about creating a space where guests feel genuinely cared for and at home. As a mother who runs her own household, she sees Oasis as an extension of that role—offering practical care, warmth, and attention to detail in the way she hosts others. From helping coordinate meals to baking for guests, Esther expresses her care in ways that make people feel seen and welcomed.
Maya Meíja
Social Media
Maya has a passion for story telling, with experience in how to utilize social media platforms to highlight the vision and projects of nonprofits.
She has worked with Scripture Union Social media department and Partnered with YWAM for 10 years. She loves creative projects and caring for peoples spiritual journey.
A JOINED-UP APPROACH
Many hands, one thoughtful experience.
From the first enquiry to the final goodbye, our team works together to ensure each Intensive is shaped around the person or family in front of us.