University of Rotterdam, the Netherlands

With an objective to generate global concerns on the issues related to the life of less fortunate children living in different parts of India, Smile Foundation organized an exchange visit for a group of forty International Business Administration students from Rotterdam School of Management, the Netherlands on 13th April 2010.The students visited four welfare projects of Smile Foundation in New Delhi. Students visited the projects to get an insight into the underlying needs of social development of the underprivileged population in context with the fast economic growth of the country. Also they visited Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) centre at Malviya Nagar, Mission Education and Swabhiman centers at Dhaula Kuan and Smile on Wheels (SoW) in Gurgaon. An interaction with the target communities of different programmes under Smile Foundation helped the students in developing new perspectives in the area of socio economic development.

Sharing the experience one of the students, Tim Ramsche said ‘There is a contrast between the economic growth and need for a vast section of the society to develop in India. It is a thrilling experience to see the people who have the aspiration and determination to achieve a better life in spite of various odd circumstances.’