Our youth Ambassador Programme empowers young people by building youth leaders with direct connection to the social challenges in their communities, creating a learning-by-doing environment that supports development of knowledge and skills to enable each of them to create lasting change in their lives and the lives of others. Like many young people in South Africa they face tough social problems as a result of marginalisation. In spite of this, they learn and embody our central philosophy; that all young people have the potential to be innovative leaders and catalysts in their communities. Through our Youth Ambassador programme we provide an innovative mix of arts-based education, narrative therapy and sports designed to increase children's knowledge of HIV and AIDS, create more open communication and reduce risk-taking behaviour by increasing self-esteem and self-advocacy.

Ultimately our goal is to reduce new HIV infections in children and young people.

More that a hundred children come to MADaboutART's after-school MAD clubs in South Africa each week - warming up with 'ice-breakers', holding discussion groups, planning their next art project or community action initiative, singing, acting, playing... just doing what kids do… and at the same time learning and growing stronger and making positive choices for their future.