.: The annual Street Smart Awards ceremony

Thursday, November 30, 2017

The annual Street Smart Awards ceremony

Lynne spent several years of her (long and varied!) career working for two charities in London, so she has a special place in her heart for NGOs that make as much difference as StreetSmart. You may notice, when you dine out at good restaurants, that you have the opportunity to add R5 to your bill which goes to StreetSmart to support homeless children. They have been very successful indeed this year and your generosity has contributed R1 120 000 to this worthy cause. We were invited to the annual presentation of this money to the various NGO's they supportThe event was held at the Silesian Institute in Somerset Road, Cape Town and was well attended

The event was held at the Silesian Institute in Somerset Road, Cape Town and was well attended

MD of StreetSmart Melanie Burke told us an important fact; every penny you donate via the restaurants goes direct to the recipients. The organisation and its sponsors raise all the money needed for administration, salaries and infrastructure separately. This year the total donated by the R5 addition in restaurants raised was R1 120 000. They fund 31 programmes which individual aim to prevent, to cure, to educate and to get the children back into society

These are the certificates which go to the top restaurants for their contributions

The childrens’ choir sang us two songs, both à capella (unaccompanied by music or instruments). They do have the member who beats time on a djembe drum. They sang ‘Judgement Day’ and a moving song called ‘I know who I am’. And they do have potential. However, we feel they so need some musical support and hope one of our readers will be tempted to volunteer to assist. A pianist, a guitarist or a band would give them a much better range of notes and rhythm. You can see how some of them love to sing, aided by their choir master. They so need some joy and fun in their lives as they rediscover their place in society

Margi Biggs, who started StreetSmart 12½ years ago, did the draw of lucky numbers; a number of prizes had been donated. She told us how the organisation was growing. First they get a representative in a town, others join and then they form a group. Some accommodation partners are coming on board, like the Cape Town Backpackers and François Hayden with his "Farm for Real"

Then it was time to hand over the cheques to the Agencies working with the street children. If you are interested in what they do, we have put in the links to their organisations. R90 000 to Cape Town Multi Service Centre.

Sue Birch, a Trustee, presents a cheque for R90 000 to Home from Home

Caroline Bagley, owner of Savoy Cabbage restaurant and a Partner, presented R90 000 to Learn to Live

Margie Biggs handed a cheque for R90 000 to Ons Plek (Our Home) which is a place for girls

R90 000 went to T.L.C. Children's Home

and another Cheque of R90 000 went to School of Hope Centre for Education Innovations

Caroline Bagley, who is a partner, told us a moving story of a donation from one of her regular customers who wishes to remain anonymous. He was celebrating with a large group of friends at Savoy Cabbage as they were all off to Antarctica and has made very big donations before. This time his donation was for a staggering R40 000! "It is the right thing to do", he said and everyone cheered. She said it is so great to collect these donations and then see how they are used

We then heard from this brave young lady who has come from the School of Hope. She shared her story of what it has done for her. At 13 she was on the street and addicted to Tic (crystal meth) and uncontrolled. StreetSmart has provided her with schooling, counselling, given her many chances and she is doing her matric again, even though returning to school was very difficult for her. "Education" she says, "is my stepping stone"

Chef Richard Chamberlain of Out of this Planet Caterers donates his and his staff’s time and the food to StreetSmart events

The event's sponsors

Certificates were presented to some of his staff for their individual contributions

Angelo Casu who runs Grand Dedale Hotel in Wellington with his wife Tina, took part in this year's Cape Epic cycle race and raised R35 353 for StreetSmart. He has also donated his racing sweater to them. He will be doing the same next year in the 2018 Cape Epic. And what an epic that cycle race is! He has called on you to help sponsor him and his cycling partner Johan so that he can raise even more money for them this year. You can find him on Facebook or Linked In