Yesterday I attended a moving StreetSmart South Africa function at the Salesian Institute,  at which R540000 of the annual monies raised in Cape Town restaurants was presented to six organizations working with street children. In total StreetSmart raised R1,1 million nationally in the past year. 

Since 2005 StreetSmart has been collecting R5 per bill from diners at participating restaurants around the country. The monies raised are allocated to organizations in the area in which they are collected. At the event yesterday six organizations dealing with street children received R90000 each: Cape Town Multi Service Centre; Home from Home in Masiphumulele, Ocean View, and Westlake; Learn to Live, Ons Plek, TLC Outreach Projects, and School of Hope – Thembalitsha Foundation. In total 31 StreetSmart street children projects run nationally. Projects are designed to prevent young people from becoming steeet children, and to rehabilitate those that have become street children.

StreetSmart was established by Margi Biggs (left) twelve years ago. 

There are currently 37 restaurants in Cape Town which participate in the StreetSmart street children project. The organization would like to see more restaurants participating in its fundraising, as a means of giving back to society, its Chairman Melanie Burke (right) told us. It was announced that a test run has been done on including accommodation establishments as well as wine tasting centers, to expand the base of donations for Street Smart. Wellington Wines is the first non-restaurant to join as a partner. Melanie said that many small contributions go a long way.

StreetSmart Restaurant partners in Cape Town include Aubergine, Azure at the Twelve Apostles, Buitenverwachting, Catharina’s, La Mouette, Moyo, Myoga, Savoy Cabbage, Nona Lina, The Roundhouse, and Waterkloof Restaurant.

Caroline Bagley (left), owner of Savoy Cabbage, spoke passionately about the role of Street Smart, having been a loyal supporter of the restaurant charity since its inception. She said it is the right thing for restaurants to do, and that it is an easy thing to do administratively. Last week a most generous patron had requested that instead of R5 being added to his bill, the restaurant charge him R40000. A self-focused industry can give back by participating in Street Smart. 

A moving testimony was presented by a matric learner, sharing that at the age of 13 years she had begun to suffer a substance addiction, destroying her looks, pride, and dreams. It was an uncontrollable addiction, and she hit rock bottom. The School of Hope, one of the Street Smart beneficiaries, helped her back on her feet, and she now has passion and dreams again. 

Impressive was the dedication of Angelo Casu of Grand Dedale and Johan Fourie of Doolhof Wines in Wellington, who cycled the Cape Epic to raise funds for Street Smart. They cycled 691 km over eight days. Yesterday Angelo handed over a framed jersey they wore, as well as a cheque for R35000. He announced that he and Johan will again ride for Street Smart next year.  Morgenster Wines will be supporting them.

This weekend a Cape Camino walk over two days will benefit Street Smart, covering 8 km a day. It costs R1000 to participate. 

StreetSmart South Africa, Observatory, Cape Town. Tel (021) 447-3227 www.streetsmartsa.org.za Twitter: @streetsmartsa Instagram:@Streetsmartsa

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter: @Ulmenstein Facebook: click here Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein