{"id":6311,"date":"2017-11-30T16:46:21","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T14:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegremlin.co.za\/oudtshoorn-news\/wordpress\/?p=6311"},"modified":"2017-11-30T16:46:21","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T14:46:21","slug":"streetsmart-restaurants-in-oudtshoorn-help-street-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thegremlin.co.za\/oudtshoorn-news\/wordpress\/2017\/11\/30\/streetsmart-restaurants-in-oudtshoorn-help-street-children\/","title":{"rendered":"StreetSmart Restaurants in Oudtshoorn help street children"},"content":{"rendered":"

StreetSmart SA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the social integration and upliftment of street children, has launched in Oudtshoorn and is rallying restaurants and hospitality establishments to become involved in helping to rebuild the lives of the town\u2019s children at risk.<\/h4>\n
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l.t.r. Desmond George and Chantelle vd Merwe (St Francis Drop-In, FAMSA) with Melanie Burke (Chairman, StreetSmart SA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to launch StreetSmart Oudtshoorn, expanding StreetSmart\u2019s reach to assist greater numbers of street children and children at risk. Every cent raised in this town goes to support local programmes for our most vulnerable children. Well done and I wish you great success in growing the impact of StreetSmart in Oudtshoorn.\u201d says Melanie Burke, Chairman of StreetSmart SA.<\/p>\n

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l.t.r. Niel Els (Owner, Turnberry Hotel), Saretha Conradie (Owner, Karusa Wine Estate) and Melanie Burke (Chairman, StreetSmart SA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The St Francis Drop-In Centre, providing daily services to street children, has received<\/p>\n

R25,000 raised through local StreetSmart partners to boost local community upliftment. The StreetSmart funds were handed over at an event held at Karusa Wine Estate.<\/p>\n

The donation is part of an allocation of over R1 million awarded nationally for the fourth consecutive year by StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping vulnerable children rebuild their lives, through donations from partner establishments in the Western Cape, Garden Route, Gauteng and KZN.<\/p>\n

Establishments in Oudtshoorn are now part of a network of restaurants, accommodation venues and wine cellars running this worthy initiative in the southern cape along with George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Nationally Cape Town, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Somerset West, Wellington, Worcester, Swellendam, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban are all doing their part.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur children are our future. Your R5 makes a difference.  StreetSmart is one of only a few charity organisations where every cent donated via the StreetSmart programme, goes to a nominated local beneficiary. We are proud to be part of this initiative and we are grateful for the generosity of diners and restaurants in town for supporting this cause.\u201d says Niel Els, local businessman and StreetSmart Brand Ambassador.<\/p>\n

Since 2013, the St Francis Drop-In, affiliated with FAMSA Karoo, runs youth development programmes in Oudtshoorn that form part of a holistic approach to assist children between the ages of 7 to 18 years. Their mission is to protect children against all forms of abuse and neglect through accessible services focusing on all levels of protection. The StreetSmart donation will go towards the Drop-In children\u2019s activity programmes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are highly appreciative of the StreetSmart donation towards St Francis Drop-In. Their financial assistance enables us to provide this essential programme, especially during the coming school holidays, when there is a higher prevalence of children being at risk over this period.\u201d says Chantelle van der Merwe, Social Worker, FAMSA.<\/p>\n

There are currently three restaurants in Oudtshoorn, the Restaurant @ Karusa Wine Estate, Restaurant @ Boulders Lodge & Spa and the Turnberry Restaurant, that have embraced StreetSmart\u2019s vision to make a real difference to the lives of street children or children at risk of living on the streets. 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.   <\/p>\n

\u201cStreetSmart is such a great and easy way to do good where you eat, drink and sleep. I’d like to that we sign up more and more hospitality places to join in this initiative.\u201d adds Burke.<\/p>\n

StreetSmart partner establishments and their guests are generously contributing to making a difference in 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For more information or to make a donation, contact StreetSmart SA at Tel: 021 447 3227 email info@streetsmartsa.org.za<\/a> or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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