StreetSmart SA raises over R7 million for organisations helping street children

StreetSmart SA, the organisation dedicated towards helping street children rebuild their lives by collecting R5 donations through participating restaurants in the Western Cape and Gauteng, has raised more than R7,06 million since its inception in 2005.

“2013 has been an exceptional year for StreetSmart. Through the dedication of the local committees we launched StreetSmart in Swellendam, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn are almost at the threshold of five participating restaurants,” says Nils Heckscher, Chairman of StreetSmart SA, who is working tirelessly with his team of volunteers to build the StreetSmart brand so that it is recognised throughout our country as a trusted brand.

“We would like people to know that the donation of just R5 at a time, will assist many children by providing more programmes to normalise their lives. It remains a wonderful privilege to raise funds with the public’s help for street children and children at risk,” he added.

A total of R907 700 raised this year, will be distributed to beneficiaries working with children in need in Cape Town, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Swellendam and Johannesburg. All the NGO’s are actively involved with social development and rehabilitation of street children with the ultimate goal of family re-unification.

In Cape Town, StreetSmart funds are supporting the panel beating skills training programme at Learn to Live, social worker salaries at Ons Plek and Home from Home: Oceanview & Vrygrond, as well as salaries for aftercare and family reconstruction at the Cape Town Multi Service Centre.

Franschhoek’s StreetSmart beneficiary, The Kusasa Project received funding towards social worker salaries.

The Stellenbosch beneficiary, Home from Home: Kayamandi & Cloetesville received funding towards a social worker salary and family re-unification services.

In Swelllendam, the Cooper Street Project is being supported to acquire school uniforms and educational material.

The Johannesburg beneficiary, Twilight Children, received funding for a family reconstruction worker salary.
“StreetSmart helps us to accomplish our mission: to assist children and their families to participate in their own development in order to become self-reliant, and to make services available and accessible to poor and vulnerable families in the communities, such as the Netreg aftercare,” says Elsa van Huyssteen, Cape Town Multi-Service Centre.

The number of participating restaurants now stands at 81, with new restaurants embracing StreetSmart’s vision to make a real difference to the lives of children at risk.

“Participating in StreetSmart is not a choice, it’s a social responsibility which we are incredibly proud to be part of. It is the best EFT of the month!” says Mari Vigar of La Mouette Restaurant who has been a StreetSmart affiliated restaurant since December 2012.

Funds are raised by adding a R5 donation to each table’s bill at participating StreetSmart restaurants. This donation is voluntary and diners are able to contribute more if they wish to.

StreetSmart SA was set up in 2005 by a group of concerned Capetonians under the patronage of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and comprises resourceful board members representing business and the hospitality and tourism industries. Similar StreetSmart organisations also run independently in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Vancouver and India.

StreetSmart SA is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation as well as a Non Profit Organisation and ensures that every cent donated by diners 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. In essence, eating and donating at a StreetSmart restaurant is the responsible way to help a street child.

Top caption: Nils Heckscher (StreetSmart SA Chairman), Margi Biggs (StreetSmart SA Founder), Doug Gurr (The Kusasa Project)