About The Africa Wellness Foundation (NPO)


The Africa Wellness Foundation (AWF) is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), which aims to create a Mindset of Africa with Ubuntu at the Heart of all Wellness training initiatives as we place the human element and spirituality at the core of business and community. “I AM because YOU ARE. I AM because WE ARE” lies at the core of our existence as we shift mindsets and embrace purpose-driven leadership and transformation for sustainable development.



At AWF, we equip teams and leaders with the mindset and heartset required to navigate in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world, helping people to Unlearn and Relearn and get beyond beliefs that no longer serve their purpose. We customise workshops to suit your needs.



As we elevate Wellness in Africa, we create an awareness of a “digital detox”, not as a luxury, but as a necessity for self, community and business. Post CV-19 and the lockdown, mental illness is on the rise and we pride ourselves on creating environments in schools, business and communities that spread love, kindness, empathy and compassion, where we help each other on this journey called LIFE.



Free Sunset Men photo and picture


 

“We Rise by Lifting others”

Robert Ingersoll




The AWF promotes skills in line with the SDG 2030 goals:





    1 – No Poverty:  We believe that Poverty is a Mindset that can be conquered and our programmes are designed to allow time for introspection, where you become aware of the power that resides within you.



    3 – Good Health and Wellbeing: Promoting health and wellness for all is paramount and this begins in the mind and heart. Our programmes are designed to make you more mindful, with a sense of purpose and love for self,  love for others and      

 nature. 



    4 – Quality Education: Learning is fun and we use newer methods such as Breathwork, Meditation and Journaling and use the power of music to unlock the power of the mind and heart – allowing people to heal from trauma. People heal not only as Individuals, but as a Collective too.

  

    5 – Gender Equality – Women are entitled to live in a world that is safe, secure and in a world that allows them access to equal opportunities in the workplace and communities. We believe in the importance of empowering young ladies and women  to confidently take their rightful place as Mothers of the nation through the creation of a better world filled with love,  kindness and peace.


The Africa Wellness Foundation strives to create

 “The more beautiful world our hearts know is possible”

Charles Eisenstein



OUR VISION


To create a Mindset of Africa with Ubuntu at the Heart of all Wellness training initiatives, as we place the human element and spirituality at the core of business and community, by embracing purpose-driven leadership and transformation for sustainable development.




OUR MISSION


*   To transform the minds and hearts of people in Africa, through soft skills development and enhancing their well being through purpose-driven leadership for sustainable development.


      *    To develop change agents to lead by inspiring, motivating and empowering people to be better than they were yesterday -      

            aligned to the 5P’s of the Sustainable Development Goals, namely People, the Planet, Partnerships, Peace and Prosperity.


*    To destigmatise Mental Health locally and globally.


*    To create a platform for Suicide Awareness & Prevention.


*    To create an awareness of a “digital detox”, not as a luxury, but as a necessity for self, community and business.


*   To elevate wellness in Africa and spread love, kindness, empathy and compassion globally.



OUR WORK


We take a heart-centred approach and create a platform with customized training programmes in MINDSET & HEARTSET COACHING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & TRANSFORMATION and provide a comprehensive learning experience that embraces purpose-driven leadership and transformation for sustainable development.

 

MINDSET & HEARTSET COACHING

LEADERSHIP  DEVELOPMENT


"Developing Leaders of the Future who lead with PURPOSE!"

    TRANSFORMATION

     MEET THE FOUNDER,    
DR PRALINE ROSS (dba)

Dr Praline Ross is the Founder and CEO of the Africa Wellness Foundation. Borne out of the need to help people, and after losing loved ones to suicide, the Africa Wellness Foundation was set up to develop mindful leaders who lead with purpose.  Praline specialises in Mindset & Heartset Coaching, Leadership Development and Transformation. What drives her? Leaving the world better than when she entered it!


This accomplished, versatile and results-driven professional with over 23 years’ experience in business, is passionate about training others in Wellness, Mindful Leadership, Servant Leadership, Mindset Coaching, Transformation and Strategy.  She spent years in Government, Corporate and Academia and excels in everything she puts hers mind to.


She is a Mindset and Heartset Practitioner, helping people to become aware of how their thoughts and emotions have an impact on their behaviour. Using the lockdown for some deep introspection and healing, allowed her to tune into the Divine Presence within, where she completed her Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), highlighting how having a Growth Mindset, assisted in her own transformation.


She uses avant-garde practices like heart-focused breathing techniques, journaling and mindfulness to help people to heal from trauma. With the devastating effects of Covid-19, she has seen the benefits of these techniques on mental health in the workplace and strives to bring the human element and spirituality back into business.


She co-facilitates the Global Inner Development Goals (IDG) Practitioners Network, where practitioners, researchers, consultants and leaders in all spheres of society, build transformational skills like Empathy, Compassion, Love, Humility and others, for sustainability development and share experiences related to resolving complex societal challenges.


After travelling extensively and noting that corruption in South Africa is viewed as ‘endemic’, our people in South Africa and Africa are still viewed as warm, loving and welcoming. Through the Africa Wellness Foundation, whilst we work with children and adults,  we take extra care to mould young minds through the spirit of “Ubuntu”, as we develop leaders of the future who are mindful and passionate about spreading love, kindness and empathy, as we strive to create a better world.


Our people need healing and true healing begins in the Mind and Heart. Allow the Africa Wellness Foundation to do what it does best, namely:


TRANSFORMING ONE Life and ONE Community at a Time!


DR PRALINE ROSS - SA AMBASSADOR FOR WORLD DIGITAL DETOX DAY HELD ON 10 DECEMBER EACH YEAR

Dr Ross has been selected by the World Digital Detox Day Foundation as the SA Ambassador for World Digital Detox Day – a global movement, creating an awareness of the importance of taking a “digital detox” for mental health and physical well-being. She has seen the disastrous consequences that addiction to the online world can have for both young and old and how harmful this is for family life. Having lost loved ones to suicide, she intends to use the global platform to showcase that a “digital detox” is not a luxury, but a necessity for self, community and business. The Africa Wellness Foundation is seen as the Beacon of Hope for those, caught in the struggle between the Mind and Heart. Training includes having a Work & Life balance.


As a professional singer, she is passionate about using her voice as an instrument to help people become better versions of themselves through music, inner development and wellness.  Having lost people to suicide, she intends to use her voice for the voiceless, to destigmatise mental health in Africa and encourage people to take a “digital detox” regularly, to unlock the power of the mind and heart, through the Growth Mindset, Theory U and Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and unleash the fire that burns deep within!


Our Why

MENTAL HEALTH challenges on the rise


Borne out of the need to help people, and having lost too many loved ones to suicide, Founder, Dr Praline Ross set up the Africa Wellness Foundation.


Post Covid-19, Mental Illness is on the rise. People have been retrenched, are in financial difficulties, have lost loved ones, are going through a divorce and some are suicidal or have lost loved ones to suicide - all these situations can lead to mental health challenges. These are damaging for adults in the workplace, as well as families, especially kids - the future is in their hands. The time we spend on devices daily only exacerbates our mental health, if not used in a mindful way.



Data gathered  from almost 500 000 people (64 countries from 2022) show as of January 2022, there were 4.95 billion active internet users worldwide, representing 62% of the global population (Mental state of the World Report-Sapien Labs). At the peak of pandemic almost 1/3 of this population struggled with mental health - young adults aged 18-24 are five times more likely to have mental health challenges compared to their grandparents’ generation. This is alarming – there is a dramatic decline in mental well being with younger generations-instead of an increase in well being with age. Some of these are employees and this affects productivity in the workplace, rate of staff turnover, with ripple effects on family life too. We believe that to ‘create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible’ (Eisenstein), it begins by moulding young minds to save our world!


MINDFUL LEADERSHIP is NEEDED TO ERADICATE CORRUPTION


Globally, we live in times of disruption, with institutions failing due to poor leadership and a lack of ethics and morals. In addition, in South Africa, corruption is endemic, with a lack of mindful leadership and accountability. What is required is a creative mindset that can lead our Youth - the future of this country through times of disruption. The time for mindful leadership and authentic transformation is now and our kids need to learn new ways of being through, empathy, love , compassion and kindness in the creation of a better world.


how we do it?

We incorporate THREE main models in our interactive training programmes that allow for transformation through inner development, aligned to one’s PURPOSE.

Free Mindset Personality vector and picture

FIXED & GROWTH MINDSET


We use the power of the Growth Mindset (Professor Carol Dweck) -a mindset that allows one to embrace a challenge and learn from failure),  to empower people to heal. How you see the world depends on how you look. People with a Growth Mindset are said to be more resilient when faced with challenges and are less prone to mental health problems.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_U

theory u


Theory U is a change management method  by Dr Otto Scharmer, that allows one to embark on a deep U-journey, moving from ego-system awareness to eco-system awareness, namely experiencing the shift from I to WE with a view to systemic change.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."(Einstein). To effect change in society, requires a shift in thinking. This shift involves an expansion of thinking from the head to the heart (Scharmer and Käufer, 2013).




inner development goals (idgs)



INNER DEVELOPMENT GOALS FRAMEWORK


https://innerdevelopmentgoals.org/


In 2015 the United Nations released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with an agenda for 2030. The Inner Development Goals focus on inner development with the belief that in order to effect societal change and to achieve the SDGs by 2030, personal development is necessary first. The Africa Wellness Foundation is networking with global teams to implement the Inner Development Goals in South Africa and Africa and is a co-facilitator of the Global Practitioner’s Network that meets once a month.


MEtarget audience

O

SCHOOLS

Learning is fun and by using avant-garde methods like heart-focused breathwork, mindfulness, journaling and music as coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, learners can heal from trauma and have an open mind, open heart and open will, ready to action goals.


To create an awareness of the importance of taking a "Digital Detox" for healing of the Mind and Heart.


To destigmatise Mental Health locally and globally.


To create a platform for Suicide Awareness and Prevention.


To elevate wellness in Africa and spread love, kindness, empathy and compassion globally which can alleviate bullying in schools and communities.


 

New headline

MEMEDITATION & BREATHWORK

Meditation & Breathwork helps to 

alleviate stress and anxiety.

                          SCHOOLS

Entrepreneurial Mindset

YoungPreneurs Programme


  • To develop mindful leaders of the future who lead with Purpose.
  • To develop learners with an Entrepreneurial Mindset in the YoungPreneurs Programme.
  • To create an awareness of thoughts and emotions and their impact on behaviour.



  • Learners are encouraged to embrace their uniqueness and celebrate diversity and work together for the highest benefit of all.



Young Ladies Empowerment Programme


  • We strive for gender equality and empower young ladies by developing skills that allow them to believe in themselves and the power that resides within them to create a healthier and more prosperous world.
  • We empower young ladies to create a network of strength and unity and not view each other as competition, but rather as sisters who ‘fix each other’s crowns’.

Moulding Young Minds Programme

To mould young minds to create a positive impact in society.


Through mindfulness learners are encouraged to love self and others and see each other through the eyes of compassion.


                      ORGANISATIONS

Mindfulness at work


  • To host mindfulness retreats for staff to alleviate stress and anxiety and equip staff with self-help skills for moments when they are alone and need assistance.
  • To demonstrate the power that resides in being “still” and “present” and beginning your day by “owning” your morning.
  • To destigmatise Mental Health locally and globally and provide a platform for Suicide Awareness & Prevention.
  • To introduce avant-garde methods in the workplace like heart-focused breathwork, mindfulness and journaling as coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, encouraging people to introspect daily.
  • To create an awareness of thoughts and emotions and their impact on behaviour.
  • Helping to promote gender equality in the workplace, empowering females in senior positions to believe in themselves and be courageous enough to speak up and lead. 


Teamwork is Dreamwork


  • To develop change agents throughout the organisation to lead with purpose and formulate strategies to assist with transformation and embed the new way of working in organisations.
  • When staff have a sense of purpose and feel a sense of belonging, this breeds loyalty as people strive to do good and be good.
  • To encourage kindness and empathy in the workplace, leading to a less toxic environment for mindset wellness.
  • To equip change agents with self-help tools required for sustainable growth.
  • To assist staff in recognizing the need for change and move from a possible change resistant culture to one that is aligned with the vision of the organisation and ensure clear communication to keep staff informed at all times.
  • Building trust within the organisation and developing formidable teams with exceptional commitment, dedication and drive to take the organisation to the next level in terms of performance.
  • To promote unity in diversity and create a “safe space” for staff to learn about different cultures and embrace transformation by equipping staff with soft skills which are actually the harder skills to develop.

              ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSETS

Dr Praline Ross empowering Grade 8 Learners using the Power of a Growth Mindset in Entrepreneurship

​

  • To develop young Entrepreneurial minds to recognize the valuable role that they play within the community and the economy.
  • To train  entrepreneurs to manage time and resources and develop networks within the community and on social media and also develop strong ties with customers.
  • To develop sound financial  management and basic business planning skills and equip entrepreneurs with marketing techniques to add value to their business.
  • To focus on Inner Development through association with the global Inner Development Goals initiative to support the attainment of SDGs by 2030.
  • Equipping entrepreneurs with the soft skills like a positive mental attitude and a Growth Mindset – a mindset that allows one to embrace a challenge and learn from failure to help to build resilience and self-motivation required in this field.
  • Develop mindful leaders and servant leaders who use their gifts in service to others.
  • Bringing back the spirit of "Ubuntu" - I AM because YOU ARE. I AM because WE  ARE! Life is not a competition. Building lasting friendships to help each other on this journey called life. Surround yourself with people whose skills complement yours.

churches

  • To develop servant leaders who recognize  the importance of using their gifts in service to others from a young age.
  • To focus on Inner Development through meditation and breathwork and encourage a Shift from EGO-system awareness (care for self) to ECO-system awareness (care for others)
  • To create a platform for empathic listening – listening from the heart. As people share their stories through powerful testimonies, others recognize they are not alone and an environment of having an “open mind, open heart and open will” is encouraged. Collective healing takes place where people see each other through the eyes of compassion.
  • To destigmatise Mental Health locally and globally and create a platform for Suicide Awareness & Prevention through various platforms including Praise and Worship and other events.
  • To create an awareness of thoughts and emotions and their impact on behaviour.
  • Through mindfulness, people are encouraged to love self and others and embrace humanity.
  • When people are aligned to a common vision and focus on finding their “Ikigai” (their purpose), they are able to connect more deeply with self and others and are able to heal not only as individuals, but collectively too.

Dr Praline Ross empowering Grade 8 Learners using the Power of a Growth Mindset in Entrepreneurship

​

  • To develop young Entrepreneurial minds to recognize the valuable role that they play within the community and the economy.
  • To train  entrepreneurs to manage time and resources and develop networks within the community and on social media and also develop strong ties with customers.
  • To develop sound financial  management and basic business planning skills and equip entrepreneurs with marketing techniques to add value to their business.
  • To focus on Inner Development through association with the global Inner Development Goals initiative to support the attainment of SDGs by 2030.
  • Equipping entrepreneurs with the soft skills like a positive mental attitude and a Growth Mindset – a mindset that allows one to embrace a challenge and learn from failure to help to build resilience and self-motivation required in this field.
  • Develop mindful leaders and servant leaders who use their gifts in service to others.
  • Bringing back the spirit of "Ubuntu" - I AM because YOU ARE. I AM because WE  ARE! Life is not a competition. Building lasting friendships to help each other on this journey called life. Surround yourself with people whose skills complement yours.

churches

  • To develop servant leaders who recognize  the importance of using their gifts in service to others from a young age.
  • To focus on Inner Development through meditation and breathwork and encourage a Shift from EGO-system awareness (care for self) to ECO-system awareness (care for others)
  • To create a platform for empathic listening – listening from the heart. As people share their stories through powerful testimonies, others recognize they are not alone and an environment of having an “open mind, open heart and open will” is encouraged. Collective healing takes place where people see each other through the eyes of compassion.
  • To destigmatise Mental Health locally and globally and create a platform for Suicide Awareness & Prevention through various platforms including Praise and Worship and other events.
  • To create an awareness of thoughts and emotions and their impact on behaviour.
  • Through mindfulness, people are encouraged to love self and others and embrace humanity.
  • When people are aligned to a common vision and focus on finding their “Ikigai” (their purpose), they are able to connect more deeply with self and others and are able to heal not only as individuals, but collectively too.