The Revenue Model
A percentage of the profits from the sales of the StreetWise product is
directed towards driving the school forward. And the rest is distributed
to the children to hand over to their guardians. As children actually ‘earn’
their stay in the program, they are no longer receivers of charity. This
makes a big difference regarding their responsibility, loyalty and pride
towards the program.
Our students’ enthusiasm, will and capacity to learn is far beyond what I
have experienced in the past, having been in various teaching positions
throughout the years. From being illiterate and/or never attending school
for an extended period of time and...in a matter of one year...they are
bona fide students.
Over time, the children are showing more and more interest in caring for
their school. We used to have a hired a cook and a janitor. In the last year,
the children have decided to take over the kitchen. We now have a ‘Healthy
Kitchen and Cooking’ class every day where a different group of students are
assigned to prepare the meals. The class is actually a practical health and
hygiene course, but one that has actually furthered feelings of belonging and
responsibility among the students. As the students learn more about hygiene,
they appreciate their newfound responsibility to keep their classrooms and
premises clean and tidy.
Despite all this progress, these children are and will still be prone to the
danger of the streets until StreetWise can offer them boarding facilities.
That is the ultimate goal of StreetWise, to provide them with the best
facilities we can offer.
