As the year comes to a close and we begin wrapping up our programmes, we find ourselves reflecting on where it all began…
Fifteen years ago, everything started with one child.
A little boy was referred to me for occupational therapy. He had never attended preschool, had no exposure to early learning and no parent to guide or protect him.
His story moved us into action.
From his need, our first programme – Creative Works – came to life.
We packed my car with arts and craft materials and connected with local mothers and grandmothers offering after-school creative sessions on the community rugby field with the support of the Stanford Rotary Club and David Krut Projects.
The children arrived – many of them.
On one afternoon alone more than 100 children came along to participate.
This was the moment we realised the depth of the need and it became the catalyst for everything that’s followed since then.
Over the years we have learned and adapted, and we grew.
We built strong relationships and collaborated with passionate partners. Our conviction in the power of early education to transform lives was solidified.
Today, Creative Skills Factory offers school-based early learning support, occupational therapy and a variety of after-school arts and culture activities from our very own center, The Learning Tree, and in other spaces across the Overstrand communities.
The year 2025 has been a year of synergic new connections, team growth and meaningful progress in our programmes, but, at the same time, we have faced very real challenges especially in securing consistent funding. We are resilient though – our commitment continues and is unwavering and our creativity continues…
We remain inspired by the children who show up eager to learn, by the families who trust us and by the team members who pour their hearts into this work every day.
We will not give up.
We continue because it matters and because education remains one of the most powerful tools to shape young minds, to open opportunities and create a brighter, more hopeful future for all.
Thank you to all our supporters who walk this road with us.
Please join our Circle of Friends and support our programmes with R150 per month in 2026.
Creative Skills Factory is a registered Public Benefit Organisation and we can issue Section 18A tax receipts for donations received.
Your contribution truly makes a difference.
