Creating Brave and Safe Spaces in Communities:

Founded in 2021 in response to the urgent needs arising from the Covid pandemic, MoreThanMeerAs began with a simple yet powerful purpose: to restore dignity, wholeness, and vitality to communities in crisis. Visionaries Andri Eloff, Louine Griessel, and Louise Fouche committed their lives to creating spaces where individuals can discover that they are MoreThan their circumstances, and where authentic connection catalyses healing and transformation.

Our Approach

At MoreThanMeerAs, we believe every individual and community carries a unique, dual-layered story – one that mirrors the inner strength and outer expression of a tree. By honouring both, our approach nurtures holistic growth and development. We blend principles of personal transformation, mental wellbeing, and community-driven innovation to create safe spaces for healing, dreaming, and creative interaction.

Community Impact

One shining example of our work is our initiative in Touws River, undertaken in partnership with the Breede Valley Association for Persons with Disabilities and the DG Murray Trust. Over a 15-month process of healing, dreaming, and innovation, we empowered 34 community participants to contribute meaningfully to their community’s resurgence. Our evidence-based model demonstrates that when individuals embrace their innate potential, the ripple effect builds stronger, more cohesive communities.

Our Vision

We envision a future where every community thrives through authentic connection and shared purpose. Our vision is to create environments where people feel empowered, valued, and connected – where healing through connection fosters resilience, self-discovery, and collective wellbeing. By nurturing each unique effort, we aim to build a culture of solidarity, inclusivity, and transformative social impact

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote mental wellbeing and foster personal and community development by creating transformative and safe spaces. Through interactive group processes that centre on healing, dreaming, and innovation, we empower individuals and groups to uncover their strengths, overcome challenges, and form meaningful bonds. This journey toward self-discovery ultimately reinforces a collective sense of worth and nurtures a resilient, supportive community.

Our Objectives & Core Pillars

At MoreThanMeerAs, our objectives are rooted in creating environments that support holistic healing and sustainable community progress. We focus on five core pillars:

Healing Through Connection

We recognise that communities are woven together by shared experiences, dreams, and challenges.

Our interactive group processes emphasise healing through connection – fostering a journey towards self-discovery, resilience, and renewed community strength.

Empowering
Individuals

Our programmes help individuals uncover their unique strengths and overcome personal challenges.

By nurturing self-worth and encouraging authentic interactions, we empower people to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Capacity Building and Resilience

Strong communities are built on empowered individuals. We equip community members with essential skills and resources through workshops and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring they can navigate challenges and thrive together.

Transformative Group Work

Through facilitated sessions of healing, dreaming, and innovation, we create dynamic spaces where participants affirm that “I am enough, worthy, connected” and collectively reinforce, “We are enough, worthy, connected.” This transformative group work helps communities rise above adversity.

Advocacy and Social Integration

Beyond direct interventions, we advocate for comprehensive social integration. By collaborating with community partners and addressing systemic challenges, we promote practices that ensure everyone can flourish within a cohesive, supportive network.

Our Dynamic Team

Andri Eloff

Director & Group Facilitator

Andri brings extensive experience from leadership roles in faith communities, group facilitation, team building, and pastoral care. As an IMAGO Relationship Therapist, he guides couples through transformative processes, encouraging vulnerability, honesty, and creative expression. Andri’s deep commitment to authentic connection and personal growth has been a cornerstone of MoreThanMeerAs since its inception.

Louise Fouche

Director, Group Facilitator & Occupational Therapist

With a distinguished career beginning in 1992, Louise has worked across numerous psychiatric settings and has been instrumental in shaping group therapy practices nationally and internationally. A dedicated educator and guest lecturer, she has trained hundreds of therapists in group skills, psychodrama, and creative approaches. Louise’s passion for fostering mental wellbeing and social cohesion is integrated into all MoreThanMeerAs programmes, empowering communities to realise their fullest potential.

Louine Griessel

Director, Social Worker & Community Advocate

Louine earned her BA in Social Work from the University of Stellenbosch in 2001. Early in her career, she worked in London hospitals and family care organisations across South Africa before joining the Breede Valley Association of and for Persons with Disabilities in 2005. There, she developed programmes that expanded employment opportunities and fostered accessible community initiatives. It was during this time – enriched by invaluable mentorship – that she met her future MoreThanMeerAs co-founders, Louise and Andri. In January 2019, Louine’s participation in the BrightStar Life Leadership Development Course, facilitated by Andri, transformed her leadership style and life purpose, igniting new connections that led to the birth of MoreThanMeerAs. Today, Louine is dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces where individuals can share their stories and resources. Her passion for bridging social gaps and empowering communities drives her commitment to helping everyone recognise they are MoreThan their circumstances.

Let’s Collaborate

Ready to explore how MoreThanMeerAs can support your individual journey, team dynamics or community impact?

 

Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities, customise a programme, or learn more about our research-backed approach.