Creative Crafts and Catering envisions a better society through arts

Creative Crafts and Catering is a charity organisation situated at 24 Hibiscus Avenue, General Albertspark that has provided art classes to children with special needs for over three years.

Creative Crafts and Catering caters to children with autism and Down syndrome and was founded by Adrie Oosthuizen.

This charity organisation gives the children an opportunity to create hand work and make products that they can sell at markets.

“We provide training to special needs children of school-leaving age to teach them skills to generate an income of their own. Through this programme, attendees are taught life skills, entrepreneurship, painting, and marketing skills,” said Oosthuizen.

“Creative Crafts creates a safe space for the children and makes each one of them understand that despite their disabilities or differences, they are capable of being independent.”

Each child names their own business and is the CEO of their respective businesses. Adrie provides crafts that the children paint and market. The organisation opens its doors from 09:00 to 17:00 allowing the children to have breakfast and lunch times.

Oosthuizen said that society tends to have certain perceived beliefs about children with Down syndrome and autism, which are not true.

“They may have a disability, but they are still normal human beings and they must not be treated in a way that would make them feel isolated.”

The organisation started with two children and is now home to eight children with the youngest being 15 and the oldest 22.

According to Oosthuizen, children attending the centre have developed in all areas of life. Before joining, many sat idle at home, which had a detrimental effect on them.

“Their self-confidence and self-worth have grown tremendously, along with their communication and interpersonal skills. Some have since found full-time employment,” she said.

The charity is busy with preparations to open a reading room where the children will have a space to read.

“I have been working with Adrie for such a long time now. I enjoy being here with these children and I treat them like my own. I feel sad when people treat them badly because of their disabilities. I wish people can understand that these are normal people and they should be treated normally,” said Lizzy Dhlamini, an assistant at the centre.

In 2023, Creative Crafts and Catering paid a visit to Stepping Stone Hospice to provide community service and honour individuals who work there.

Oosthuizen said, “It was an opportunity for our staff to give back to others and encourage them to offer rather than just receive. Simultaneously, we want to demonstrate to everyone that, despite our team’s unique obstacles, they care about and enjoy helping others.”

Interested individuals who wish to support the centre can visit their Facebook page or contact Adrie at 073 135 3570.