About Us
Our History
Due to an observed need – the lack of early stimulation for children living in high-risk areas and the resulting low skills levels, the high school dropout rates and children not being able to engage in school related age-appropriate play activities – “Creative Works” was initiated in Stanford in 2012, offering extra-mural creative workshops to children aged between 5 and 13 years old.
These creative workshops inspired the development of a school-based programme focussing on early learning and equipping young children in the pre-school environment with the necessary skills to enter the school environment well prepared and ready to engage when starting Grade 1.
Today we offer a range of programmes, all of which are focussed on contributing to offering quality educational programs to all children and youth in the Overstrand.
Creative Works has grown substantially since its inception, developing and implementing programmes with high-levels of community buy-in and clear evidence of impact, to become Creative Skills Factory which was formally registered as a Non-Profit Company in 2017 – to be an advocate for using our experience and knowledge to influence positively.
Our MISSION and our VISION are the core of Creative Skills Factory’s aims and we strive daily to sustain the NPO’s growth to reach more communities in the Overberg.
The Creative Skills Factory Team
Creative Skills Factory is made up by a team of women who live in the communities we work in and who have been trained both internally and externally by reputable and registered providers.
Regina - Founder & Director
Regina is the founder of Creative Skills Factory and is a registered Occupational Therapist, a BP through Art Facilitator – Play Therapy Levels 1 and 2.
Regina is passionate about bringing creativity into all aspects of life and into the educational environment. The combination of her commitment and expertise has resulted in Creative Skills Factory’s fine reputation and productive collaborations with other NPOs throughout the Overberg.
Rachel - Creative Works Community Facilitator
Rachel Van Rooyen lives with her two sons and her family in the Stanford community and runs daily after-school creative workshops for children aged 5 to 13 years old at our HUB, The Learning Tree. Rachel also manages our centre and works in a team with Tuliswa Mandoyi and
Nichol-Ann Barends.
She has her NQF Level 4 Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Development and is studying complete her NQF Level 5. Rachel has completed the Early Beginnings training at The Butterfly Art Project in Cape Town and has a certificate in Paediatric First Aid and CPR. She is passionate about working with children and she would love to have her own centre one day.
Nombulelo - Creative Works Community Facilitator
Nombulelo Mpayipheli lives with her three children and husband in Masakhane in Gansbaai and is fully qualified with a NQF Level 5 Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Development. She has completed the Early Beginnings training by The Butterfly Art Project in Cape Town, and Paediatric First Aid and CPR training.
Nombulelo facilitates after-school creative workshops in Masakhane together with Bulelwa Desemela, and with the Occupational Therapist at the Masakhane Primary School implementing Creative Skills Factory’s Early Learning Programme for Grade R children.
Nichol - Creative Works Community Facilitator
Nichol-Ann Barends is mum to one son and lives in Stanford. She has completed the Early Beginnings training run by The Butterfly Art Project in Cape Town and has her certificate in Paediatric First Aid and CPR. Nichol has been fully trained in ECD principles by Creative Skills Factory’s Occupational Therapist and on occasion, assists her with implementation of the Early Learning Programme in the Region’s schools.
Nichol works with Rachel and Tuliswa, the team providing daily after-school creative workshops for the community children aged 5 to 13 years old at The Learning Tree.
Our Aims
- Provide holistic support for young children to develop skills for life and learning through Early Childhood Development (ECD) educational programmes and parent, caregiver and teacher training.
- Support under-resourced schools, crèches and homes by offering educational training and Occupational Therapy services.
- To use Creativity, Education and Therapy services as tools for transformation in our local communities.
- Enhance teaching and learning through educational programmes using tools such as play, arts and crafts, music, drama and self-expression through movement.
- To provide quality pre-school programmes, educational resources and support to schools and crèches to build a strong foundation for the child's physical, mental, emotional, and social development
- To support youth through skills development and leadership programs and the Arts.
Our Funders
We receive 100% of Creative Skills Factory’s operating budget through the generosity of our funders and donors to whom we are enormously grateful.
- David Krut Projects
- The Zoe Carss Education Trust
- Bildungshilfe Fuer Suedafrika e.v.
- Mr Mike Gibbs
- Stanford Rotary
- Klein River Cheese Farm
- Alexandra Kennaugh
- Rachel Adams
- Judith & Martin Adams
- Roz Wooldridge
- The Amani Harmonic Foundation – Marilyn Pigott
- The Sherbourne Gibbs ladies
- Julia Aalbers and team at deNovo Medica
- The Lighthouse2Lighthouse Ladies
- MIAGI – Music is a great investment
- The Grootbos Foundation
- Food-4-Thought
- The Regina Foundation
- Family Meldau
- Family Suesse
- Ute Kaempf
- Natasha Los
- Stanford Tourism
- Overstrand Municipality Department of Tourism
- Western Cape Government Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
- The Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation
- Wesgro – Cape Town and Western Cape Tourism Trade & Investment
There are many more individual donors, volunteers and supporters we are grateful to, who have given in various ways to make Creative Skills Factory’s work possible.
Our Partners
Our collaborators and partners, we are privileged to have your support and the opportunity to work with you.
Funimfundo Pre-Primary School
Masakhane Primary School
Kieran Whitley
Western Cape Government Department of Education
The Butterfly Art Project
Sibusiso (Jack) Lerole Jnr.
Mr Mike Gibbs
Stanford Rotary
The Star Literacy Program
- Whalesong Lodge
Stanford Tourism
There are many more individual donors, volunteers and supporters we are grateful to, who have given in various ways to make Creative Skills Factory’s work possible.
Getting Involved
If you are interested in a workshop or would like to be involved or just stay updated with our progress, we’d love to hear from you! Please email or call us, or fill in the form below and we will be in touch.
Make a Donation
Creative Skills Factory is entirely funded by the generosity of our donors. Just R150 can make a big difference in the life of some of our most vulnerable children.
Creative Skills Factory is a registered NPO and PBO and s17A certificates can be issued for all donations.
Annual Reports
For more information about Creative Skills Factory and our programs, please see our Annual Reports.
