Several eateries in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are teaming up with StreetSmart South Africa to change the lives of vulnerable children countrywide.
StreetSmart SA was set up in 2005 by a group of concerned Capetonians under the patronage of the late 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.
The fundraising facility’s goal is to be part of the process of social normalisation and to encourage the public not to put money in the hands of a child, for this keeps them on the streets. In essence, donating to StreetSmart, where one eats, sleeps, tastes and enjoys is the responsible way to help a street child.
In 2021, the organisation’s fundraising efforts saw 29 individual programmes benefiting, with just over R53 000 raised in the Cape Winelands for four beneficiaries: Home from Home, Ma’s vir Wellington, NorSA and the Thembalitsha Foundation. The funds raised help local organisations to retain social workers dealing with vulnerable children and provide equipment and stationery for educational programmes.
Among the 12 establishments in the winelands 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, are Monneaux @ Franschhoek Country House and The Franschhoek Beer Co. in Franschhoek, and Jordan Restaurant, Kunjani Wines, Majeka Kitchen, Rust en Vrede Restaurant, and wine.co.za in Stellenbosch. The other StreetSmart fundraising partners in the Cape Winelands are Dinner for 20 Bistro in Somerset West; Restaurant @ Glen Carlou in Paarl; and Bain’s Caffé, Grand Dédale, and Wellington Wines in Wellington.
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 2 000 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 the pandemic, StreetSmart had to find supplementary sources of income to continue changing young lives.
“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,” said StreetSmart SA chairperson Zaid Adams. “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.”
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.
For more info or to donate, contact StreetSmart SA on 021 447 3227 or info@streetsmartsa.org.za, or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za.
