Our Story - K.I.D.S. International Development Society

Our Story

OurStory-1

In 2000, Adrianne Dartnall and her partner Rick Lennert lost their only child, twenty-one year old Danielle, when she was killed by a drunk driver. Devastated by the tragedy they sought to find meaning in their lives and to honour the memory of their daughter, who had wanted to be a teacher and loved children. Since that time Adrianne and Rick have been traveling each year to impoverished villages and communities in developing countries. They volunteer their time and talents working to improve the lives of children and their families living in poverty. In 2004, in response to the interest of more and more people who wanted to donate and be a part of the work they were doing, Adrianne and Rick formed Kids International Development Society (K.I.D.S.).

Adrianne and Rick travel to developing countries where, using their own funds as well as funds that have been donated, they assist with the basic needs for the communities they work with including: housing, clean water, medical supplies and support, schools, libraries, educational supplies, bathrooms, bicycles and small business grants. They work in communities in Southeast Asia, where people face poverty, unemployment, high infant mortality and diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

The activities undertaken by Adrianne and Rick in their work for K.I.D.S. benefit families and communities in very real and direct ways. They have volunteered in Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand/Myanmar border refugee camps, India, Vietnam and Nepal. K.I.D.S. projects have included:

building schools and small clinics for isolated areas
building clean drinking water systems for rural schools and communities
providing medical, educational and household supplies for children and families living in poverty
building, operating and providing teachers for a small village schools
supporting women with income generation programs and childcare so they can access training and employment
providing solar lighting systems for schools and household solar lights for families in rural areas
building houses and bathrooms for families and educational programs
operating a Girl’s Home in Siem Reap, Cambodia that ensures that thirteen girls, who were previously orphaned, abused or abandoned are provided with a good education, health care, and a loving environment

Rick and Adrienne with some of their KIDS Meeting people who display courage and strength while struggling against devastating poverty, often with enormous pain and loss, has deeply touched Adrianne and Rick, and helped them in their grief. "On these projects we get to know and work with those who have lost children," Adrianne explains, "and we've been inspired by their capacity to transform their grieving into meaningful work. We've come to understand that suffering is a part of life and can't be avoided. It's what we do with our pain and grief that matters."

Making the World a Better Place

KIDS International Development Society from Alec Watson on Vimeo.

Rick and Adrianne with some of the girls.