StreetSmart SA is a registered public benefit as well as a non-profit organisation and ensures that every cent donated by diners goes towards social and educational upliftment projects for street children.
“StreetSmart is one of the best examples of how a little donation can go a long way. It shows how those who enjoy a meal, can with agreement of those who cook and serve, help people who are less fortunate than themselves, so that they too can become productive citizens of our country,” said Sue Mills, Knysna hotelier and co-ordinator of the Knysna Committee of StreetSmart SA at the launch event. “Let’s give these StreetSmart recipients a means to obtain dignity and hope.”
Funds are raised by adding a voluntary R5 donation to each table's bill at participating restaurants and since its inception in Cape Town in 2005 under the patronage of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, StreetSmart has raised a total of over R11.5m.
The beneficiary selected for StreetSmart Knysna is Sinethemba. Established in 2003, the organisation works with children at risk and their families to enhance self-sufficiency and giving hope through well-structured development programmes, in order for them to become active change agents in their society.
Sinethemba received R30,000 that was raised by the three restaurants that started the ball rolling in Knysna - Caroline’s at Belvidere Manor, Knysna Hollow Restaurant and the Bell Tavern at Belvidere Manor. These funds will be used towards the salary of an auxiliary social worker.
“We are thrilled to launch StreetSmart Knysna, expanding StreetSmart’s reach to assist greater numbers of street children and children at risk. Every cent raised here in Knysna goes to support local programmes for vulnerable children. Well done to the local committee, restaurateurs and diners, and I wish them great success in growing StreetSmart Knysna,” said Melanie Burke, chairperson of StreetSmart SA.
At the time of the launch, two more Knysna restaurants had already joined the StreetSmart initiative - Chatters and Earth & Fire Restaurant. There are currently 88 StreetSmart restaurants running this worthy initiative in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Cape Town, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Somerset West, Swellendam, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
