StreetSmart SA has launched their CHILDREN's BOOKS COLLECTION campaign for #WorldBookDay which takes place on 23 April 2021. We are asking for your support by donating your old children’s books.

All books collected during this time will be sorted and distributed nationally to our StreetSmart beneficiaries.

Every book read is a step towards building a road to knowledge and success. And with that sentiment, StreetSmart appeals to you to donate as many children’s books as possible so that the lives of youth can be enriched with the knowledge and joy found within the pages of these books.

You can deliver your children’s books on 23 April, between 09:00 - 16:00 at the StreetSmart office at Salesians Institute, 2 Somerset Road, Green Point, Cape Town. For more details, contact Chad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ooOoo

We started working with the “M” family during July 2019. The biological mother was dependent on alcohol and struggling to keep her job and taking care of her family. The deteriorating situation at home resulted in the three children seeking refuge outside of their home – not attending school regularly, spending time on the streets and socializing with peers involved in petty crimes and possible gang ties. The older two children showed behavioural problems at school as a way of acting out.

The children at first only reached out to the social worker at Linomtha House as another place where they could spend time rather than be at home. Later as a trust relationship was established, the true situation came to light and the family was introduced onto the programme.

Read more: NorSA reunites the "M" family

Covid-19 brought life – and most businesses – to an unprecedented standstill.

Shops shuttered, airlines stalled, and the immediate halt of travel and tourism brought the broader hospitality industry to its knees.

Like veritable beachfront cottages in a tsunami, restaurants have been among the first, most cherished, and hardest hit businesses in the pandemic, and notably we have experienced the loss of many jobs; the ripple effect has affected other businesses connected to the hospitality industry and also organisations who relied heavily on the patronage of restaurant-goers.

Read more: Riding 2000km for StreetSmart SA

What should have been a year of celebrating StreetSmart’s 15^th anniversary of making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, turned into a year of relentless challenges brought about by COVID-19’s devastating impact on StreetSmart’s major source of fundraising. Despite the various phases of lockdown affecting the hospitality industry, StreetSmart managed to raise a total of R615 000 to support 35 organisations working with the country’s most vulnerable children for 2021.

In the broader Cape Town area, StreetSmart fundraising partners and their patrons raised R270,000 for their 9 beneficiaries. The funds raised help these local organisations towards retaining aftercare teachers, outreach workers, training instructors, as well as social and auxiliary social workers working with vulnerable children.

Read more: 2020 Disbursements: StreetSmart Cape Town

StreetSmart has handed over R25,000 to the Swellendam Bursary Fund, collectively raised by the StreetSmart fundraising partners and their patrons. The funds raised are supporting promising local young people wishing to study at university or college, but who do not have the means to pay for their studies.

The local committee which furthers the work of StreetSmart Swellendam, comprises Cathy van Eeden, Francois du Rand, Mari-Louise van der Merwe and Marjolein van Mourik.

“The StreetSmart donation is a welcome injection in support of the Bursary Fund. We are extremely grateful for the donation because it enables us to provide bursaries to young people of Swellendam who merit financial support,” said Basil May, honorary president of Swellendam Bursary Fund.

Funds are raised by adding a R5 donation to a patron’s bill. This donation is voluntary and donors are able to contribute more if they wish to. There are currently 5 establishments in Swellendam that have embraced StreetSmart’s vision to make a real difference to the lives of young people by giving their guests the opportunity to be real change makers in their own community. They are 18ZeroOne @ De Kloof Estate, Bergview Guesthouse, Elianthe Guesthouse, Field & Fork, La Sosta Restaurant and Powell House.

Read more: 2020 Disbursements: StreetSmart Swellendam

What should have been a year of celebrating StreetSmart’s 15^th anniversary of making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, turned into a year of relentless challenges brought about by COVID-19’s devastating impact on StreetSmart’s major source of fundraising. Despite the various phases of lockdown affecting the hospitality industry, StreetSmart managed to raise a total of

R615 000 to support 35 organisations working with the country’s most vulnerable children for 2021.

Along the Garden Route, StreetSmart is operational in George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Collectively StreetSmart fundraising partners and their patrons raised R135 000 for their respective local beneficiaries, YFC Kidstop Drop-in Centre, Sinethemba Centre, Bitou Family Care and Masizame CYCC. The funds raised support these local organisations towards retaining a child and youth care worker, as well as social and auxiliary social workers working with vulnerable children.

Read more: 2020 Disbursements: StreetSmart Garden Route