StreetSmart raises R185k for Gauteng beneficiaries

Moira Simpson (Kids Haven) and Nils Heckscher (StreetSmart SA).

Kids Haven reaches out to vulnerable children in the Ekurheleni district. The funds raised by StreetSmart Johannesburg will be used towards the salary of a child care worker, PACE workbooks and transport costs for educational outings.

"We are very excited to be part of the StreetSmart initiative, and all the good work they do for street children in the country. We are truly grateful for this support in making a difference in the lives of marginalised and neglected children," said Moira Simpson, Founder of Kids Haven.

The PEN Streetwise Project in Leratong, Pretoria provides support and supervised foster care for boys on the street. The money raised by StreetSmart Pretoria will fund the partial salary of a social worker, apprenticeship training courses and school fees.

Dagmara du Plessis and Clement Kgafane (PEN), and Nils Heckscher (StreetSmart SA).

"StreetSmart has made it possible to provide our children in Leratong with a home where they can be re-educated by learning life skills and values, where they are treated with dignity, can develop self-respect and have hope for the future. Thank you to StreetSmart - you invested into the lives of each of the children in our home," said Dagmara du Plessis, Executive Program Manager at PEN.

Nationally this partnership has raised over R1,040,000 during 2014 alone

StreetSmart restaurateurs and their diners are taking hands to make a difference in their communities. Nationally this partnership has raised over R1,040,000 during 2014 alone, for organisations that are actively involved with social development and rehabilitation of street children with the ultimate goal of family reunification.

StreetSmart South Africa has also given substantial financial support for 2015 to beneficiary organisations in other areas, namely Cape Town: Cape Town Multi Service Centre, Home from Home, Learn to Live, Ons Plek and TLC Outreach Projects; Franschhoek: The Kusasa Project; Stellenbosch: Home from Home; and Plettenberg Bay: Masizame. All these charities are actively involved with the social development and rehabilitation of street children.

StreetSmart's Pretoria co-ordinator Hettie de Wet adds: "Without the participating StreetSmart restaurants and their staff, this celebration and disbursement to beneficiaries would not be possible. To our beneficiaries, we appreciate the work you are doing, and are humbled in offering you these cheques today."

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. Nationally there are currently 92 restaurants that have embraced StreetSmart's vision to make a real difference to the lives of street children.

"2014 has been another exceptional year for StreetSmart SA. For the first time, StreetSmart will be disbursing over R1 million to beneficiaries nationally. Through steady organic growth StreetSmart will continue its upward trend, with one aim: to help as many street children and children at risk, through successful partnerships and promoting responsible giving via StreetSmart restaurants," says Nils Heckscher, Chairman of StreetSmart SA.

Every cent raised in StreetSmart restaurants goes to organisations that run street children programmes. To cover operational and expansion costs, StreetSmart relies on partnerships with business, fundraising initiatives and private donations. These funds help to maintain the momentum of this life-changing project.

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, Canada, India, USA - San Francisco and The Netherlands.

StreetSmart has grown organically and is now active in nine centres. StreetSmart SA consists of a national Board of volunteers, and each centre has a committee of three to five volunteer members that run StreetSmart locally.

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.

www.streetsmartsa.org.za