StreetSmart digs deep to change the lives of children in Gauteng

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 fundraising initiatives in 2021.

In the greater Johannesburg area, StreetSmart raised R100,000 for their two beneficiaries: Kids Haven and the MES JHB Youth Programme. The funds raised help these local organisations respectively in retaining a Bridging School facilitator and a co-ordinator of after-school programmes for their essential educational work.

“MES JHB is so grateful for StreetSmart’s generous and loyal support. Together we will make today’s children smile because they can reach their educational goals,” says Leona Pienaar, CEO at MES (Mould Empower Serve) in Johannesburg.

Sam Mokgopha, CEO at Kids Haven, also voices his gratitude: “Thank you for enabling Kids Haven to deliver this critical programme of bridging education. It makes a world of difference to the children. To StreetSmart SA and every partner and supporter, thank you!”

There are currently 10 establishments in Gauteng 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.

“The Jessica’s group supports StreetSmart because it gives us an opportunity to use our current platform to make a positive difference in the lives of our most vulnerable children in society. Every cent of the R5 contribution is used wisely and really does make a difference in the life of a street child. Signing up was really easy and we have never looked back. Jessica’s is so proud to be a StreetSmart partner!” says owner Jessica Botha.

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 in Johannesburg

Balata @ The Fairway Hotel & Resort (Randburg)

Jessica’s @ Clearwater Mall (Roodepoort)

Jessica’s @ Eagle Canyon (Roodepoort)

Jessica’s Coppa Bar @ Eagle Canyon (Roodepoort)

Jessica’s @ Featherbrooke (Krugersdorp)

Jessica’s Coppa Bar @ Featherbrooke (Krugersdorp)

La Cucina di Ciro (Parktown North)

MDS Collivery (Selby)

SecretEATS

The Kitchen l’antico giardino (Lanseria)

_________________________________________________________________________

Issued by: GC Communications  
Tel: +27 (0) 21 462-0520 
Email: info@gc-com.co.za        

On behalf of: StreetSmart South Africa  
Contact: Reinette Retief – Administrator
Tel: 021 447 3227
E-mail: info@streetsmartsa.org.za

Print Friendly, PDF & Email