Street Sleeper is an organisation that makes survival sleeping bags for the homeless from upcycled advertising billboards.
The Markex and Madex shows are taking place on Wednesday, 7 June and Thursday, 8 June at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Exhibitors have been called upon to donate survival sleeping bags, thereby helping to transform the negative impact of waste into immediate relief for those living on the street.
According to Nick Sarnadas, event director at Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, the exhibition company will match the number of sleeping bags donated by exhibitors. “We are also encouraging visitors to Madex and Markex 2017 to support the initiative by bringing blankets and clothes to the shows, which can be handed over at a collection point in the registration area,” he says.
"One of the many difficulties that homeless people face is a disconnect from mainstream society," adds Sarah Isaacs at Street Sleeper. "Social barriers in South Africa alienate those living on the street by blocking any opportunities they might have to make positive changes to their lives. Day-to-day survival replaces the innate human need for self-fulfillment, widening the social divide and perpetuating the cycle of homelessness."
Street Sleeper creates a connection between those that want to help the homeless and those in the homeless community that want to help themselves.
Driven by innovation, compassion, technology, collaboration, and left-field thinking, the NPO believes that their product – a survival sleeping bag created from waste – is a powerful advocacy tool that highlights issues facing society’s disadvantaged members.
Since the winter of 2014, Street Sleeper has distributed more than 6 000 sleeping bags across the Western Cape, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kimberley, and East London, diverting 10 tonnes (24 000m2) of PVC waste from landfill. In addition, the initiative has provided employment and skills development for economically marginalised members of society.
For winter 2017, the NPO’s aim is to produce and distribute 4 000 sleeping bags, while further decentralising distribution to major South African cities by identifying those who want to get actively involved.
“With the Madex and Markex shows taking place at the start of winter, we are pleased to be able to assist with an initiative like Street Sleeper, one that will make a positive difference to the lives of our homeless community during what is a harsh season for them,” says Sarnadas.
For more information, visit www.streetsleeper.org. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.