We work with pioneering local partners in Africa. We look for projects that are dynamic in their work with street children in their area, but also ones that offer examples of good practice and hope. A theme of ours is that we try and empower these organisations in moving towards being more self-sustainable and controlling their own destiny.
Examples of this would be supporting Umthombo, in South Africa, at a time where they were exploring the setting up of an income generating programme called Food 4 Thought KZN. This sees top local Kwa-Zulu Natal restaurants put an extra 1% Umthombo donation on the bill, with a lovely bill folder explaining the concept. Customers can cross out the donation if they so desire. This programme is up and running and has really helped Umthombo develop local, more sustainable funding streams and has also given a real sense of local investment in the lives of street children there.
Another example is with our partner in Burundi, New Generation where Street Action is supporting them to develop and set up the Tree Cafe, an income generating project to raise funds for the running of the street children work. The Tree Cafe was set up in October 2012 and we will be keeping supporters up to date with its development.