In 2005, Kirsty Paxton (founder of Artee Parteez) spent a year teaching at a rural school in Ingwavuma, Kwazulu-Natal. Ingwavuma is a community deeply affected by poverty and the spread of HIV, and during her time there, Kirsty was moved by the plight of many of the children she met and taught. Inspired by the popularity of the school art club she started that year, she has returned five times since to run a "Creative Kids" holiday art programme for 50-80 children.

During each holiday programme, Kirsty works with volunteers from NPO's and churches to run workshops for the children in puppetry, drama, singing and a range of arts and crafts activities. Many of the children attending the workshops live in very difficult circumstances, having been orphaned by HIV/AIDS or affected by the poverty-stricken circumstances of their families and community. On each visit, Kirsty has witnessed the positive effect that the art workshops have on the lives of these children, giving them a positive and creative outlet to express themselves.

In the future, Kirsty hopes to expand this work to other areas in South Africa as well as to build on her commitment of time and resources, to make "Creative Kids" the focal point of Artee Parteez' Corporate Responsibility arm.

To make a donation to "Creative Kids" or to find out more about this programme, please contact Kirsty.