Today The Film Industry Fund handed a cheque for R50 000 to Khulisa Social Solutions for their #Streetscapes project.
Homelessness is a persistent and pervasive problem and solutions are neither simple nor easy. Or could they be?
R 50 000 donation by the Film Industry Fund to a Cape Town based success story, Streetscapes project, shows it does not have to be like that.
Streetscapes is a project by non-profit Khulisa Social Solutions, that has served poor communities over 20-years countrywide. It demonstrates what can be achieved when government, business sector, residents and NGOs work together.
Streetscapes offers a simple yet revolutionary way to tackle homelessness. We harness job creation and care for our environment in order to provide a real solution. The fast-growing market for fresh organic vegetables create an opportunity for a unique social project.
Sales from Streetscapes gardens employ homeless people who have nowhere to go. Without an intervention, the hopelessness of their situation would likely result in many falling into downward spiral into drugs and crime – currently wreaking havoc in our city.
The first work pilot started in 2015 after we asked a group of court clients what could stop their downward spiral. “Work!” they said. And they were right. After six months 77% had moved off the streets, 68% had addressed drug and drinking problems significantly.
The two existing Streetscapes gardens have helped over 30 street people rebuild their lives and become positively contributing citizens again. The demand for our produce, however, exceeds the supply – It’s time to launch the third Streetscapes garden.
To make a contribution go to:
http://www.khulisa.org.za/streetscapes/