Students of Smile Foundation's Twin e-Learning Programme across the country have been employed by leading companies. Here are a few case studies:

Kamal Kishore

Kamal Kishore hails from Ahindar village in Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh. After completing his Class XII, he started taking tuitions, but the money earned from it fell short. Kamal started looking for a job, but because of his lack of knowledge in computers and spoken English, he failed. He was unable to afford the course fee demanded in institutes teaching computers and Spoken English.
In April 2007, he came across a newspaper advertisement in which applications were invited for Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) at Lucknow. After an entrance exam, he enrolled in the course. Kamal is now employed as an office assistant in the office of the Block Development Office, Sandeela, Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh.
           

Suneeta

Suneeta (22) of Aali Goan, Badarpur, New Delhi is one among the second batch of graduates from Smile Twin e-Learning PRERANA centre. Before joining the centre, she had never thought of taking up a job as her parents were against it.

After joining the course, she interacted with many ambitious girls of her age. Gradually, she realised that instead of depending on her parents for her immediate and personal needs, she should take up a job. She started looking for a job and is now working as a computer teacher in Kalindi Public School and is earning around Rs. 2500 a month.

N. Rajeshwari

Rajeshwari (21) is from Avadi and has studied up to Class XII. As she was married off at an early age, her aspiration to study further remained a dream. It became difficult for her to manage the household expenses with her husband’s wages, who worked as a carpenter. She then came to know about Iniya Udaiyam and the Smile Twin e- Learning Programme. She enrolled in the six month certificate course and her life changed after that. Her confidence level went up and on completion of the course she got a placement as a Receptionist cum Sales Person in JSP Honda at Thirumullaivoyal.

M. Gayathri

Gayathri (18) is from Sridevi Nagar, Avadi, Chennai. After completion of Class XII, she was unable to study further as her father was not able to afford. Further, her family was not in favour of their daughter going out to work. Gayathri was identified by the staff at Iniya Udaiyam STeP centre. They visited her parents several times and explained them the need for educating their daughter. Her parents finally agreed and she joined the STeP centre. Gayathri is now working as a computer operator in Info Innovative Pvt. Ltd at Ambattur. She is earning Rs.3,000 every month and is now a great support to her family.

M. Gayathri

Saraswathi (20) is from Nandavanamettur, Avadi. She lost her father two years back and so after completing Class X from the Govt. High School, Avadi, she worked in a dental clinic to support her brother, who worked as a daily labourer. But her salary was too less. A friend of hers informed her about the STeP course. She joined the course and now is working in Reliance Fresh as a Sales Associate.

 Preeti Awasthi
Despite her grandparent’s objections, Preeti Awasthi completed her B.Sc from Jhansi. But she could not pursue her M.B.A, as her father was not able to afford. One fine day, on her way to the market, she saw an advertisement about STeP on a wall. Her computer teacher further informed her about the Microsoft Unlimited Potential six -month course. She enrolled in the course. She is today working from home and earning about Rs. 3,000 a month. Preeti is also preparing for her M.B.A entrance. Preeti is no more dependent on her parents for her studies.

Manikumar
Manikumar is aspiring to be a Mechanical Engineer in future. His father, a retired Manipur Rifle officer has started a poultry business to support Manikumar’s education. To support her husband, Manikumar’s mother prepares homemade snacks, which she sells in the market. Manikumar travels over 16 kilometres every day to reach the STeP center.

Once a shy lad, he is now a guide for others in the class. He has become an expert in basic computers and has developed communication skills too. He has been offered an internship in Eastern Motors. He is planning to do his B. Tech. through a part time course along with his job.

Thabung Thangjam

Born to a blacksmith family, Thabung Thangjam had always dreamt of learning basic computer skills and English language. The Twin e-Learning centre gave him the opportunity to fulfil his long dream of nurturing basic communication skills.
Thabung also holds a diploma from ITI. The Eastern Motors has decided to recruit Thabung as a technical assistant in the new workshop, which is likely to open in February 2008. But Thabung is also thinking on the lines of expanding his business of selling hardware tools like spades, hammers, knives, sickle etc.

HeeraTrimbak Jaybhaye
 
Heera (21) resides in the slums of Dharavi, Mumbai. She lost her father when she was very young. After graduation from Mumbai University, she was looking for a job. A friend of her introduced her to the STeP centre at JSS, Dharavi. She joined the course and within a few months her confidence level went up and her English communication skill also increased. Heera is now employed as a Customer Care Executive with Reliance and is earning Rs. 7000 per month.
 
Sarika Mane
Sarika Mane resides in the slums of Parbati, Pune. Sarika joined the STeP course after she went through an advertisement in the newspaper. On joining the course, she was introduced to personality development and retail management. Sarika is now working with More Departmental store.  

Aswathaiah K. Balaji

The son of a daily labourer, Aswathaiah K. Balaji of Chappadipalli village bear Palamaner is the eldest among two brothers. After his mother’s death a few years back, Balaji had to share all household responsibilities with his father. Every monsoon as the roof of their thatched house leaked, the family suffered. Aswathaiah was informed about the Smile Twin e-Learning programme from Srinivasulu, a CSAT animator. He enrolled in the course with the hope that it would serve as a stepping stone to realise his dream of becoming a chartered accountant one day.
Balaji is now the new office assistant at Centre for Social Action Trust, Palamaner. He is also doing his graduation in Commerce.

Sheena Manual

Sheena Manual was born and brought up in Kerala. While her father works as a farm labourer, her brother is into pottery making. She shifted to Bangalore in search of a job after her B.Sc. from Kerala University. The STeP course trained her in computers and spoken English. Sheena is now employed in Infiniti Retail Pvt Ltd. a TATA Enterprising company.

Suguna
           
Suguna joined the STeP centre, Bangalore after completing a secretarial course. Basic computer education and spoken English has helped her get a placement in Infiniti Retail Company. Suguna who is also pursuing her BBM is now a great support to her father, a small-time businessman.