Tinbird Creative: With love from Oudtshoorn

It's almost time for the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, and we are in preparation for the second year of presenting a week long cultural workshop to the street children of Oudtshoorn.

Being regular festival-goers, we were moved by the scenes of little homeless people from the area singing on the sidewalks year after year, so in 2011 we initiated a weeklong project to involve and inspire these children as part of the festival.

We aimed at encouraging concepts of respect, personal motivation and using talent to increase self-esteem and academic success and since then, we've had amazing feedback from the social workers of the area. Some went back to school, some found work and others joined a local dance group.

What really touched us was the gratitude they showed in being exposed to artistic expression and basic recognition.

Looking forward to seeing them again this year.