Goukam Health APD Website

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Goukam Health APD

094-365 NPO

“Overcoming limitations and striving to reach full potential”

Our mission is to equip, support and advocate for the rights of differently abled persons and social relief for their families in our community. We also provide a safe environment for patients/residents through fostering dignity and promoting independence.

Goukam Health APD Background:

Goukam Health APD started as a dream of Dr. Alison Madden, a clinical psychologist in Cape Town. Dr Alison saw a need for a home where patients can find a new life after brain injuries, rather than being hidden away at home. During 2011 Dr Alison searched the Western Cape coast for a organization/property that would fit her dream. One day, she and her nurse friend, Wendy, went to scout again, and found “the right place” - RIVERSDALE.

The big work started - the Gou Kou farm was purchased and the hunt began to find a place for the workshops. First the old jail was considered, but eventually the current location in Long Street was purchased. Dr Alison was determined, driven and inspired to make her dream a success. Funding was received from various institutions and government, but in the end, the Department of Social Development bought into the idea and has been funding Goukam Health APD since 2016.

Although the dream started out to give new hope and a new home to patients suffering from brain injuries, Goukam Health APD is still developing each day, but still respecting and keeping Alisons dream alive. We became part of the WCAPD (Western Cape Association for persons with disabilities) and is eversince rendering a social service to the persons with disabilities and their families of the Hessequa-district.

Dr Alison Madden sadly passed away on 18 December 2020

Get to Know Our Team:

Social Auxilary Worker

Eben January

Social Worker:

Lesley-Ann Didloft

Office Manager:

Illze Olivier

Occupational Therapist:

Susan Vermaak

General Worker: Poppie Scheepers

Being HUMBLE means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how IMPORTANT we can become, but to see how much DIFFERENCE we can make in the lives of others.

- Gordon B Hinckley

Gardener:

Martin Jantjies

Caregivers:

Mariana Manus

Agathe Plaaitjies

Ramad Marcus

Jacky Johnson

Simone Esau

Shanel Saayman

Corney Buis

Elzene Ryan

Get to Know our Management Committee:

Vice Chair Person:

Nelia Le Roux

Chair Person:

Monique Hofmeyr

Tresaury:

Sam Smuts

Community member:

Mark Rodriguez

Community member:

Marietjie Nothnagel

Services at Goukam Health APD:

Respite service: 21 Days of stay at Goukam Health APD - includes 24-hour care, meals, social services and therapy.

Longterm stay: care facility for persons with disability .

Social services for persons with disabilities and their families.

Support-, therapeutic-and functional services for persons with disabilities.

Reintegration of persons with disabilities in the community.

Lifeskill groups, awareness raising and community work.

Social Services:

Care Facility:

Social services to all persons with disabilities in the Hessequa-region:

Riversdale

Albertinia

Melkhoutfontein

Heidelberg

Slangrivier

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The facilities at Goukam Health APD

A tribute to our Founder: Alison Madden

Dear Alison

To laugh often and much, to win the respect

Of intelligent people and the affection of children

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and

Endure the betrayal of false friends

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a

Healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition

To know even one life has been easier because

You have lived – this is to have succeeded

- Ralph Waldo Emmerson

We pay great tribute to our founder, Dr Alison Madden, for her dream and determination to start a organization to deliver a service to persons with disabilities in the rural area of South Africa.

We will continue to build and develop your dream!

Dr Alison Madden, PhD.

Registered Psychologist

Clinical, Neuro- & Educational Psychology

Meet our longterm residents:

Upcoming events

Fundraising Project for 2024:

Aromatic Soap-bags for R5 each!

Goukam Health APD charity shop

GouKoop

ONS IS OOP!

Maandae - Vrydae

10:00 - 14:00

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Kontak 028 713 4130 vir meer inligting.

Skenkings vir die winkel BAIE WELKOM!

Langstraat 40

Riversdal

Upcoming events

- Overcoming limitations and striving to reach full potential -

Goukam Health APD

Annual Meeting | Jaar Vergadering

6 September 2024

“Our mission is to equip, support and advocate for the rights of differently able persons, and social relief for their families in our community. We also provide a safe environment for patients through fostering dignity and promoting independence.”