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Taking a Small Step to Set a Big Example in NOIDA


Taking a Small Step  to Set a Big Example in NOIDA

Smile Foundation and Sankalp Saksharta Samiti have a long time joint initiative to promote welfare and development of poor children in NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh.

About the Partner

Sankalp Saksharta Samiti is a registered Society started in 1997 by providing education to just three children of maid servants. Appreciating the passion and true spirit of empowering society through educating the deprived children, Smile Foundation came forward with technical and financial help. Today the initiative is providing free education and health care to more than approximately 200 children (Age group - 3 to 14 years) through Class I till Class V.

Expanding the scope of endeavour, the organization also provides free vocational training to women from underprivileged communities in NOIDA.

A 13-year old inspiration from Smile Family

Gautam, 13, is a student of Sankalp, one of Smile Foundation’s Mission Education projects located in NOIDA. This boy lost his father when he was barely five year old and is raised by his mother Mrs. Ranju Devi single-handedly who manages hardly a thousand rupees from petty chores. Gautam was inducted into the education centre by Mrs. Meena Nijhawan, General Secretary of Sankalp and one of the oldest partners of SMILE five years back as SMILE and its partners are always in the lookout for such deserving children who are just waiting for a transformation through education.

The dedication and commitment put in by the people and teachers behind the project partner have transformed Gautam’s vision of life from such an early age.

Gautam has secured 97.8 % in standard 5th in the centre, which operates NFE classes from I to V. Gautam was taken to Army Public School, an institute of repute in NOIDA, the satellite township of Delhi.

He was able to secure admission in Army Public School on merit, emerging victorious in process of entrance examination, competing with the best of talents, mostly coming from privileged backgrounds. In no time, Gautam has been selected into the Senior Cricket Team too.

“Cricket is my passion and I would one day play for Team India,” reveals Gautam with conviction.

Mrs. Indira Padmanabhan, Gautam’s Class V teacher sums up, “Gautam has been the best product in this session, though many of our children have secured good marks. Full credit goes to our children. We simply put our commitment as a guide and gift them with education being a teacher.”

“Education is the power which can transform lives. Children born to underprivileged parents do not mean they can’t excel. We being elder just need to hold their hands a bit,” signs off Mrs. Padmanabhan, a long time senior teacher in Sankalp project.

Thank you Gautam for setting an example!


“We love our children and they love us. It is this bond between us that will ensure a bright future for these underprivileged children and a sense of purpose for SANKALP.  Without Smile Foundation, it would have been impossible to grow and reach where we are today.”  

Mrs. Meena Nijhawan
General Secretary, SANKALP

 

The Project

The Non-formal Education Programme covers more underprivileged children from various slums clusters in the vicinity. Classes IV and V have already been added in this project with proper teachers and extracurricular activities.
 
Along with educational support, health care is integrated in the project. Regular health check-up and growth monitoring is ensured for the children. Keeping in mind the children's nutritional need and support, all the children get balanced mid-day meal at the centre.
 
The special components of the project are as follows -
 
50% of the children get NFE [Non-formal Education], who are either non–school going or school dropouts. They are to be mainstreamed to some formal schools in appropriate classes during the year and their retention in school is ensured through proper follow–ups.
 
Health checkup of all children enrolled and their growth is monitored.

Charitable organization in Uttar PradeshThe special components of the project are as follows -

50% of the children get NFE [Non-formal Education], who are either non–school going or school dropouts. They are to be mainstreamed to some formal schools in appropriate classes during the year and their retention in school is ensured through proper follow–ups.
Health checkup of all children enrolled and their growth is monitored.

Special Focus 

 
Teachers maintain a homely environment with the students so that they will love coming to the school
 
Monitoring of the children once they are mainstreamed to formal schools
 
Regular health check-up, growth monitoring as well as nutritional support are ensured.
 

Smile Foundation and Sankalp Saksharta Samiti have vowed to make the integrated programme a showcase project for empowering the society by providing education to children from the underprivileged section