StreetSmart diners raise R185 000 in Johannesburg and Pretoria

StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children rebuild their lives through donations at restaurants in the Western Cape and Gauteng, has handed over R185 000 to beneficiaries in Johannesburg and Pretoria for 2015! The beneficiaries are Kids Haven and PEN Streetwise Project.

The Kids Haven reaches out to vulnerable children in the Ekurheleni district. The funds raised by StreetSmart Johannesburg, will be used towards the salary of a child care worker, PACE workbooks and transport costs for educational outings. “We are very excited to be part of the StreetSmart initiative, and all the good work they do for street children in the country. We are truly grateful for this support in making a difference in the lives of marginalised and neglected children,” said Moira Simpson, Founder of Kids Haven.

PEN Streetwise Project in Leratong, Pretoria, provides support and supervised foster care for boys on the street. The money raised by StreetSmart Pretoria will fund the partial salary of a social worker, apprenticeship training courses and school fees. “StreetSmart has made it possible to provide our children with a home where they can be re-educated by learning life skills and values, where they are treated with dignity, can develop selfrespect and have hope for the future.” said Dagmara du Plessis, PEN Executive Program Manager.

Funds are raised by adding a R5 donation to each table’s bill at the participating restaurants. This donation is voluntary and diners are able to contribute more if they wish to. Nationally there are currently 92 restaurants that have embraced StreetSmart’s vision to make a real difference to the lives of street children.

For more information or to make a donation, contact StreetSmart at 021 418 0621 or [email protected], or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za.