STREETSMART PAYS OUT TO ITS FIRST BENEFICIARY IN WELLINGTON!

Posted by Sunè Samuels on 30 August 2018 5:40 AM CAT

StreetSmart SA is a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to the social integration and upliftment of street children and other individuals in need.

Although StreetSmart began in Wellington two years ago, there are rules to how the funds may eventually be accessed and used. Only once a town has 5 establishments supporting the initiative, can the funds (which accumulate in the meantime) be allocated and/or paid to a beneficiary.

Last week, Wellington Wines (one of the Wellington StreetSmart SA contributors) hosted a special Women’s Month evening, to celebrate and recognise the enormous blessing and responsibility of being a mother.  StreetSmart SA was invited as a special guest to do the official (surprize) hand-over of a cheque to the value of R10 000.00 to “Ma’s vir Wellington” a non-profit organisation that offers a variety of programmes and initiatives in assisting the plight of street children and other vulnerable children in need. The Chairman of StreetSmart SA, Ms Melanie Burke  said; “We are delighted to launch StreetSmart SA in Wellington. The partnership with the hospitality community in this area will directly benefit local programmes assisting street children and children at risk of becoming street children”.

As the first selected StreetSmart beneficiary in Wellington, Ma’s vir Wellington (since 1992) were delighted in receiving the sum of R10,000 – raised through local StreetSmart partners over the initial start-up period, which will be allocated to their much needed field-worker programme. Field-workers deliver a social service that focuses primarily on domestic circumstances of children in need, tends to children’s homes to identify their needs and identifies and addresses issues relating to various forms of abuse.

“At Wellington Wines we are committed to and believe in our responsibility toward our community. StreetSmart is the perfect partner and a wonderful initiative to combine what we do, especially knowing that this project will directly benefit the Wellington community,” said Xania van der Merwe, National Sales & Marketing Manager of Wellington Wines and co-ordinator of the Wellington Committee of StreetSmart SA “Since moving to Wellington a few years ago, the one thing that stood out to me was the values of this community.  This is a little town with a very big heart.  Thus, it’s no surprise that our tagline is #heartwellington! The more StreetSmart partners we have in Wellington, the more our vulnerable community can benefit in future.” added Xania.

This donation is part of an allocation of over R1 million awarded nationally for the fifth consecutive year by StreetSmart SA, which is generated through donations from partner establishments in the Western Cape, Garden Route, Gauteng and KZN.

The following establishments in Wellington, namely Wellington Wines, Bain’s Caffe, Dinner for 20, Grand Dedale and Linton Park Estate have now established a solid foundation for other similar establishments in Wellington to build on – and invite such businesses to get on board.

For those business owners who would like to understand the process required to help support this initiative, it’s very simple; Funds are raised by adding a R5 donation to each patron’s bill, be it a meal, tasting, accommodation booking, etc. It is a request for a voluntary donation and patrons may opt to contribute if they so wish.

“StreetSmart is really such a great and easy way to do good – and very convenient to support if it’s available wherever you eat, drink and sleep. I’d like to see that we sign up many more hospitality places to join in this phenomenal initiative.” added Burke.

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. Donating to StreetSmart where you eat, drink and sleep is the responsible way to help a street child.

With the success of this initial payment the StreetSmart committee of Wellington would like to encourage more restaurants, accommodation establishments and wine tasting venues to become involved, so that more of Wellington’s own vulnerable children and families can enjoy the benefits.
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.