Sneaker brand Converse has donated R50,000 to the Durban-based public benefit organisation (PBO) Surfers Not Street Children. The world-renowned organization empowers the street children to leave the streets behind for good and become independent and self-sustainable.
The handover of the cheque took place at the Surf Club South Beach and involved valued members from the organization. Surfers Not Street Children has been working with street children and children at risk of street connectedness in Durban since 2012. They identify street children in Durban and beyond and empower them by teaching them how to surf, providing mentorship and psychosocial care.
The Converse project introduced patches that could be applied to one’s wardrobe pieces to customize them. These patches were sold in all Converse stores for R15 and the brand donated R50 to Surfers Not Street Children for every patch sold. In addition, Converse also organized hampers for each child featuring a range of merchandise including t-shirts and sneakers.
According to Converse “The lessons learnt through the sport (surfing) communicates a well-rounded set of values that the members of the Surfers Not Street Children organization carry with them through life. The staff is made up of trained professionals and trained former street children.
