StreetSmart SA is?dedicated to help street children rebuild their lives through donations from restaurants in Cape Town and Franschhoek and has given R400 000 to selected beneficiaries this year. This is 30% more than last year and brings the total funds raised over the past three years to over R1,1 million.
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Four charities actively involved with social development and rehabilitation of street children were each presented with a cheque of R100 000 by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, StreetSmart SA?s patron since its inception three years ago. At the handover ceremony held at Learn to Live in Green Point, Archbishop Tutu was presented with a Certificate of Patronage by Ephraim, one of the boys from The Homestead, for his supportive role and endorsement of the work of StreetSmart and its beneficiaries.?
?There are so many ugly things happening in our country (referring to crime) but also many beautiful things and StreetSmart is one of them. I would like to thank them and all their participating restaurants and sponsors for their generosity,? said Archbishop Tutu.? He then asked people not just to think of their loved ones over the festive season but for everyone to give a gift to a child you don?t know this Christmas.?
The Cape Town based organisations actively working with street children, Learn to Live, Ons Plek and The Homestead as well as Youth Empowerment Action (YEA) in Franschhoek are the four StreetSmart SA beneficiaries this year.?
The StreetSmart funds raised this year will provide a much needed financial boost to ensure the success of the respective organisations and the safety of the children in their care. Learn to Live, a bridging school for street children, will use the money to fund skills trainers, training materials for workshops and outreach programmes to recruit youths into the workshops.???????
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Ons Plek, a shelter for street girls, will use the funds for social worker salaries, family reunification initiatives and skills development. The Homestead, a shelter for street boys, will use of the money for its family reintegration and bridging education programmes. The newest edition to the StreetSmart SA initiative, Youth Empowerment Action, plans to fund a new social worker position and life skills development programmes with their funds.?Feedback on how the funds were administered, will be given by the beneficiaries to the StreetSmart Board?on the 31st August 2009.?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Currently 40 restaurants have embraced StreetSmart?s 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.?
?We are deeply grateful for each and every restaurant that has joined this initiative. It is because of these restaurants that we as an organisation can help to create a haven for kids can go to.? said Margi Biggs, Chairperson, StreetSmart SA.
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.
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StreetSmart SA, was set up by a group of concerned Capetonians and comprises resourceful board members representing business and the hospitality and tourism industries. Similar StreetSmart organisations also run independently in the UK, San Francisco and Melbourne.?
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