StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children rebuild their lives through donations from restaurants, accommodation establishments and wine tasting venues in the Western Cape, Garden Route, Gauteng and KwaZulu Nata, has handed over R120 000 to their Stellenbosch beneficiaries for 2019.
This effort is part of the total StreetSmart allocation of R1.7 million distributed nationally for 2019 to organisations working with children at risk.
“This amount is made possible by the generosity of the patrons and our partners, who in spite of tough economic circumstances still give to make a difference to the lives of children, R5 at a time,” says Margi Biggs, founder of StreetSmart.
The Stellenbosch beneficiaries are Home from Home, Stellumthombo, and the Pebbles Project.
The StreetSmart funds were handed over at an event held recently at The Bistro@Webersburg wine estate.
“We want to once again thank StreetSmart for their incredible support of the work we do with vulnerable children in the Stellenbosch area. The in-depth work that our social workers are able to do thanks to the generosity of StreetSmart supporters truly touches the lives of these children. They literally change the lives of children one meal and R5 at a time,” said Pippa Shaper, development director of Home from Home.
There are currently seven establishments in Stellenbosch that have embraced StreetSmart’s vision to make a real difference to the lives of street children or children at risk of living on the streets. Funds are raised by adding a R5 donation to each patron’s bill. This donation is voluntary and donors are able to contribute more if they wish to. With this gesture, StreetSmart establishments and their guests are making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable and street children in their local communities.
“Through the generosity of our fundraising partners and other supporters we are able to continue to expand our national footprint. For the fifth consecutive year, StreetSmart will be disbursing over R1 million to beneficiaries nationally, enabling us to support 35 programmes. We are so excited to be able to continue this work through responsible giving via StreetSmart and we extend an invitation to restaurants, accommodation establishments and wine tasting venues to become StreetSmart in their local areas,” says Melanie Burke, chairman of StreetSmart SA.
StreetSmart SA was set up in 2005 by a group of concerned Capetonians under the patronage of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and comprises board members representing business, and the hospitality and tourism industries. Similar StreetSmart organisations also run independently in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and The Netherlands.
StreetSmart SA is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation as well as a Non-profit Organisation and ensures that every cent donated by guests goes towards social and educational upliftment projects for street children. StreetSmart’s goal is to be part of the process of social normalisation and to encourage the public not to give money into the hands of a child as this keeps them on the streets. Donating to StreetSmart where you eat, drink and sleep is the responsible way to help a street child.
For more information or to make a donation, contact StreetSmart SA at 021 447 3227 or info@streetsmartsa.org.za or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za.
