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.