Johannesburg StreetSmart restaurants boost Kids Haven
StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children and children at risk of living on the streets rebuild their lives through donations from partner establishments in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Garden Route and KZN, has handed R30 000 to their Johannesburg beneficiary, Kids Haven. This is part of an allocation of over R1 million raised nationally for the fourth consecutive year by StreetSmart SA with the balance to be distributed in the other regions this month.
The StreetSmart funds were handed over at an event held at The Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Randpark.
Kids Haven helps and cares for street children in need in Johannesburg. Their vision is to rehabilitate street children and reunify them into the community through care, counselling and psychosocial support. This is achieved through social work, education, monitored homework and remedial lessons, sport and leisure activities. The StreetSmart funds will be used towards the salary of the Bridging School Programme facilitator in 2018.
There are currently 10 establishments in Johannesburg that 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 patron’s bill. This donation is voluntary and donors are able to contribute more if they wish to.
In Johannesburg Balata at The Fairway Hotel, Cnr Café Bistro, La Cucina di Ciro, Licorish Bistro, Moyo @ Melrose Arch, Moyo @ Zoo Lake, Nanuki, Pomodoro, The Kitchen in Lanseria and Turbine Hall offer their diners the opportunity to give responsibly in their restaurants, rather than directly in the hands of a child, which inevitably keeps them on the streets.
“Through the generosity of our fundraising partners and other supporters we are able to continue to expand our national footprint, in spite of tough economic times. For the fourth time in a row, StreetSmart will be disbursing over R1 million to beneficiaries nationally and enabling us to support 31 programmes. We are so excited to be able to continue this work not only through responsible giving via StreetSmart restaurants, but also through accommodation establishments and wine tasting venues and cellar doors.” says Melanie Burke, Chairman of StreetSmart SA.
StreetSmart partner establishments and their guests are generously contributing to making a difference to the lives of vulnerable and street children in their local communities. Nationally this partnership has raised R1,120 000.00 during 2017, literally R5 at a time.
“We are once again grateful for this important donation from StreetSmart for the bridging school program. It is a core program where every new child starts. Support for the salary of the bridging school teacher means that Kids Haven can deliver a program that directly results in children being able to get back into real school. You have a future if you are educated”, said Moira Simpson, Founder of Kids Haven.
Brian Bridle, General Manager of Zoo Lake, one of the StreetSmart partners in Johannesburg, says “Moyo Zoo Lake has always had a strong focus on giving back to the community via various platforms. Supporting StreetSmart gives us the opportunity to make donations to an organisation that ensures that the funds are correctly utilised and distributed towards helping street children and their communities.”
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, USA – San Francisco 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, drink and sleep 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.
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Issued by: GC Communications
Contact: Chanté Johannes
Tel: (+27)21 462 0520
Email: info@gc-com.co.za
On behalf of: StreetSmart SA
Contact: Reinette Retief
Tel: 021 447 3227
Email: admin@streetsmartsa.org.za
