New beneficiary for StreetSmart SA

Margi Biggs, StreetSmart SA Chairman, with Jane Payne, Home from Home Director at the donation handover.

It has raised over R100 000 which will fund family reunification services, education and provide support to the foster mothers in Kayamandi and Cloetesville. StreetSmart's other four beneficiaries are Learn to Live, The Homestead and Ons Plek in Cape Town and Youth Empowerment Action (YEA) in Franschhoek. All these charities are actively involved with the social development and rehabilitation of street children.

"We are grateful to find Stellenbosch so keen to run StreetSmart and to contribute something special to vulnerable children's lives. It is so much in the spirit of Christmas and Ubuntu," says Margi Biggs, chairperson of StreetSmart SA.

Currently 65 restaurants have embraced its vision to make a real difference to the lives of street children. Funds are raised by adding a R5 donation to each table's bill at the participating restaurants. This donation is voluntary and diners are able to contribute more if they wish to.

StreetSmart SA, was set up by a group of concerned Capetonians and comprises resourceful board members representing business and the hospitality and tourism industries. It 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. Similar StreetSmart organisations also run independently in the UK, San Francisco and Australia.

For a list of participating restaurants and more information, go to www.streetsmartsa.org.za.