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About Us
Our Founders
Johan & Denise Van Der Merwe
About VALUABLE PEOPLE
Valuable People is a faith based mental health and suicide prevention movement rooted in one simple truth: Every Life Has Value
Born out of personal loss and a deep desire to make a difference, Valuable People exists to create a space where people feel seen, supported and not alone in what they are going through.
We recognize that many struggles are often carried silently - especially within spaces where people feel expected to be strong. Our heart is to break that silence by creating awareness, encouraging honest conversations, and helping people better understand mental heath.
It's more than awareness.
It's about education, equipping and change.
We want to see individuals, communities and especially the church become safe places where people can speak openly, find support, and experience hope.
Valuable People is built on compassion, truth, and belief that no one should have to suffer in silence.
The Valuable People platform was created in loving memory of our beloved daughter, sister, cousin and friend, Cathleen Nortje.
Cathleen was kind and deeply loved. Someone whose warmth and laughter could light up any room. She carried a light that touched the lives of those around her, and her memory continues to do so.