“Every day, I am reminded that kindness changes lives”: Creating spaces for inclusion

My name is Ariane, and, together with my husband, I am the co-founder and managing director of the Oasis Inclusive Centre in Cape Town.

Personal experience

I am passionate about creating safe spaces for children with autism and their families, especially those from displaced and vulnerable communities. I describe myself as a determined and compassionate leader – shaped by my journey from Kigali, Rwanda, where I grew up, to South Africa, where I moved in 2010.

Coming to a new country meant learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and finding my place. It was not easy, but I embraced South Africa while holding onto my roots. That balance of resilience and identity has guided me in life and in my work.

My inspiration for my work comes from my personal journey as a mother of a child with autism. I experienced firsthand how difficult it is to find support, information, and services – especially for displaced families who often face language barriers.

I remember going to Autism Western Cape years ago and advocating for parents who do not speak English, who face language barriers, and who were not always able to visit their office or book an appointment. They mentioned, “We know these families exist, but reaching them is not always easy.” That’s when I realised I could be the bridge. I started by inviting families into a space they trusted, like Scalabrini Centre, and worked with service providers to run workshops. That was the beginning of Oasis. Once we started getting people together, Autism Western Cape came to support us and facilitated some of our workshops. 

Turning despair into something more positive

At Oasis, we provide practical support: caregiver training, autism-friendly transport, sensory toys, inclusive workshops, inclusive tours around Cape Town and soon, respite care – a safe space where parents can take a break while their children are cared for. Our aim is to make sure every child is understood, included, and cared for, while empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need.

I know the impact this work has. Parents tell us they felt alone before meeting us. Some share heartbreaking stories; hiding their children, blaming each other, even turning to harmful practices because they didn’t understand what was happening. I’ve sat with families on the edge of breaking apart – and I’ve seen how support and knowledge can turn despair into something more positive. One mother once told me there was “nothing positive” about raising her son. Today, she proudly has an ‘I love someone with autism’ profile picture on her WhatsApp profile. 

Building community 

My husband and I walked this journey together. We know the challenges – from families who face judgment in churches or shopping queues, to parents who feel their children are misunderstood. But we also know the joy. Our son, now 13, can swim, read, write, and play basketball. He has brought us strength, patience, and love. I see the peace that my son has in the house because of the love we give him, because of the support, because of the understanding that we have. And through our story, other parents see that autism is not a curse or witchcraft. It is not something to hide, it is something to understand.

What makes Oasis special is that we don’t just deliver services; we build community. We employ both South Africans and people who have been displaced, connecting people across cultures. Autism has no nationality, no colour. In our transport services, children from all backgrounds sit side by side. In our workshops, South African mothers and mothers from other countries support one another – as mothers. That is the space I want to keep creating; a space of understanding, where people work together.

Resilience, for me, is not allowing your past to define you. I know what it means to study late at night after cooking, cleaning, raising children, and working two jobs. I know what it feels like to almost give up – and to keep going anyway. And I know what it means to face challenges with hope.

A safer world for all children

The UNHCR capacity building workshops have helped us discover simple changes that make a big difference. And also reinforced the idea that we owe the people we support accountability, this could be through communication or not over promising. 

My dream for the future is to see Oasis grow into a centre where children are safe, parents are empowered, and mothers can gain skills to support themselves. But beyond Oasis, I hope for a society that is aware of autism, that does not judge or discriminate, and that meets difference with kindness.

Every day, I am reminded that kindness changes lives. Even if only a few people out of a hundred choose to be supportive and understanding, that makes a difference. My mission is to keep raising awareness, to keep promoting inclusion, and to keep creating spaces of hope, because every child deserves to be seen, understood, and loved.

Ariane’s story is one of four portraits celebrating the opportunities created by women’s resilience.