StreetSmart digs deep to continue changing the lives of children.

StreetSmart South Africa is determined to continue changing the lives of our country’s most vulnerable children and their efforts have seen 29 individual programmes benefiting nationally from their fundraising efforts in 2021.

In Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, StreetSmart raised R35,000 for their two beneficiaries Lukhanyiso Safe House and Masizame. The funds raised help these two local organisations towards retaining an auxiliary social worker and a tutor dealing with vulnerable children.

“We thank StreetSmart Knysna for supporting Lukhanyiso Safe House this year. The donations provide for essential educational support for the children living in our Safe House. Education is the key to change, and in order for each child to have a better future, they need a good education,” says Ella Mapurisa and Penny Mainwaring of Lukhanyiso Safe House, Knysna.

Brenda Wall, director at Masizame, also voices her gratitude: “Many thanks to StreetSmart Plett for the funding which is of great significance to the children and their families for whom our services are provided in the community. This support helps us to work towards making positive impacts through parental skills training, life skills workshops and home visits to assist families on a one-on-one basis. To StreetSmart and every partner and supporter, thank you!”

There are currently eight establishments in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay that have embraced StreetSmart’s vision to make a real difference to the lives of children at risk of living on the streets, through giving their guests the opportunity to be real change makers in their own communities.

“Chatters is 100% behind StreetSmart and our thanks must go to all our customers who have supported this initiative, especially those regulars who visit us more than once a week and insist on making a contribution each time. Every cent donated to StreetSmart goes to educational and upliftment programmes for vulnerable children right here in our community. Even when times are tough, it’s amazing what a difference R5 can make!,” says Clare Dixon, owner of Chatters Bistro, Knysna.

Jacqui Carter-Johnson, co-owner of Nguni Restaurant in Plettenberg Bay, adds: “It is important to know that the StreetSmart donations are actually being managed very well and stay in Plett. Moreover, giving beggars money is not doing them any favours, it just keeps them on the streets. So many people want to give extra - it is amazing when people ask for an extra R100 to be added to the bill.”

With their main source of funding under severe pressure because of the prolonged lockdowns, StreetSmart still managed to raise R780,000 nationally to help more than two thousand vulnerable children and their families.

The organisation is dedicated to changing street children’s lives by supporting intervention programmes through donations from hospitality venues in the Western Cape, Garden Route and Gauteng. With the hospitality industry decimated by Covid, StreetSmart had to find supplementary sources of income to continue changing lives, one child at a time.

“Despite the economic fallout from the ongoing pandemic, our fundraising partners have continued to fly the StreetSmart flag, enabling their patrons to continue giving to this most worthy of causes. Despite the intense hardships experienced by all, and our hospitality partners in particular, our partners have continued to show resilience, resourcefulness and concern for the communities in which they operate. The Board of StreetSmart SA and its administrative staff would like to thank our fundraising partners, their patrons, as well as all our beneficiary programmes for their part in making a difference in the lives of the children. We look forward to many more years in these relationships of giving and supporting those who need it most,” says Zaid Adams, Chairman of StreetSmart SA.

Funds are raised by StreetSmart partners who add a donation to their patrons’ bills. This donation is voluntary and donors are able to contribute as much as they wish. StreetSmart invites more businesses to become fundraising partners, to make a real, long-term difference in the lives of street children.

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 and The Netherlands.

StreetSmart SA is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation as well as a Non-profit Organisation and ensures that every cent donated by guests 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, donating to StreetSmart where you eat, sleep, taste and enjoy is the responsible way to help a street child.

For more information or to make a donation, contact StreetSmart SA at Tel: 021 447 3227 email info@streetsmartsa.org.za or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za.

StreetSmart fundraising partners

KNYSNA

Caroline’s @ Belvidere Manor

Chatters Bistro

Headlands House Guest Lodge

Social Eatery @ Knysna Hollow Hotel

The Bell Tavern @ Belvidere Manor

PLETTENBERG BAY

Barrington's Small Hotel and Restaurant & Brewery

Nguni Restaurant

The Fat Fish