Summer Issue - 2017
smilescapes
Nutrition workshops for tribal families in Ganganagar, Tripura
Around 150 families actively participated in the nutrition workshops held at Ganganagar, a remote tribal village in north-east Tripura. Organized at Mission Education centre JUST, the sessions aimed at sensitizing the community about the importance and sources of nutritious food that eventually leads to improved health of the children. Demonstration was also given on proper method of cooking food that involves minimal use of resources and low-cost nutritious food items.
Health comes smiling for villagers in Chitradurga, Karnataka
A new Smile on Wheels mobile hospital project has been launched for the remotely located villages of Chitradurga district in Karnataka. The project, supported by Mineral Enterprises Limited, will make the health care amenities accessible at the doorsteps of families living in 15 villages of the district. Powered with a team of qualified Doctor, Nurse, Lab Technician, Pharmacist, Driver and volunteers, the project aims to directly benefit over 15,840 beneficiaries in a year.
Swabhiman scholars get tablets for brilliant show in academics
Tablets were distributed under the Swabhiman programme to girl scholars who have shown brilliant performance in academics. These much talented girls come from difficult backgrounds and have worked hard to find a place in prestigious colleges of Delhi University. They are all set to use these smart tablets for operating the DU App, downloading holiday homework and e-books other than applying for a diverse range of online courses which would further enhance their academic abilities.
Computer literacy centre for tribal children in Indore, MP
A computer literacy centre for children from tribal families living on the fringes of Indore city has been initiated under the Child for Child Programme. The centre is providing basic computer education in two shifts - one in the morning and the other in the evening. The first half of the classes is for theoretical studies and the second is utilised for practically teaching the kids about various computer applications and how to put theory to use.
Mumbai youth get industry exposure at LIC Headquarters in Mumbai
Students from Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) centre GBS were invited to visit the head corporate office of LIC – Yogakshema in Mumbai for an intensive career counselling session. The youth were given an overview of the insurance sector and further gathered knowledge about the career prospects, job profiles and remuneration they can look forward to. The STeP trainees are all set to become the first generation white-collar workers in their families.
Fumigation drives and health camps to fight dengue
LG joined hands with Smile Foundation to fight the mosquito menace that gripped the national capital region by sensitising slum communities to take preventive action to protect their families. Fumigation drives were carried out in 83 slums and resettlement colonies spread across Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram covering a population of 5.5 lakh. Health camps and pathological tests to detect and control the fatal spread of dengue, malaria and chikungunya were also conducted.
School children in Meerut attend hand-washing workshops
The simple act of hand-washing can help us curb the spread of fatal communicable diseases and avoid common infections. With the objective of sensitising young children to the importance of hand-washing, workshops were conducted in schools across Meerut by representatives of the Child for Child programme. The children thoroughly enjoyed the practical demonstrations that accompanied each session to ensure that they understand the proper way of washing hands.
Mothers in Bengaluru promote good breastfeeding practices
A series of rallies, street plays and fetes were organized by mothers from the slums of Heganahalli, Bengaluru to promote optimum breastfeeding practices and create peer support for breastfeeding mothers. Conducted under the Swabhiman programme, the initiative was flagged off by the Chief Medical Officer of the Heganahalli PHC and Vice Principal of the Nursing College. Besides the community women, nursing students, ASHA and Anganwadi workers also participated in the various activities.
Activity based learning for children of quarry workers in Kanchipuram
As 160 children of stone crushers experience school for the first time at Mission Education centre Maega Trust in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, teachers have devised unique activity and game based teaching techniques to engage the young learners. Inducted from the quarries in Thirisoolam, Kamarajapuram and Thiruneer Malai, the children had earlier been forced into child labour. The teachers' efforts have led to a marked increase in both attendance and classroom interactions.
Career counseling by prospective employers for Chennai youth
Interactive sessions were held at STeP centre CERA in Chennai to provide the youth a direct interface with prospective employers. The Manager of Sun Pharma Ltd. visited the centre and conducted the first career counseling session which aimed at imparting knowledge to the students on contemporary job skills such as brand persuasion, client servicing and digital marketing. The youth were highly responsive and enthusiastically participated in the follow-up role plays and group discussions.
Yoga and physical education for Smile children in Bagnan, West Bengal
Believing that education and good health go hand in hand for the overall development of children, Mission Education centre BHRDS in Bagnan, Howrah district, West Bengal, has initiated Physical Education classes. Special trainers have been appointed to conduct the regular classes which comprise of yoga and sports sessions. The classes have become an instant hit with the children, who never miss school a single day now, and enthusiastically participate in the physical education classes.
Special health camp for women from Mumbai slums
Over 200 women benefitted from the special health camp organised at Panjarapol in Govandi, Maharashtra. Facilitated by specialists and volunteers part of the Smile on Wheels mobile hospital project in Mumbai, the camp provided services ranging from prenatal and antenatal check-ups for pregnant women to pathological lab tests, free medicines and health counseling for aged women. Follow-ups were done after the camp and referrals made for further care and treatment.
Hands-on retail training at Westside Noida for STeP trainees
Youth from Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) centre ABAS, visited the Noida Sec-18 outlet of the multi-city lifestyle chain Westside to get hands on experience of working in the retail sector. The HR Head of Westside welcomed the 34 students and took them on a store visit, explaining each department and function and encouraging them to interact with the staff. The young trainees enthusiastically learnt all they could about their prospective workplace and job profile.
Bridging the Gap–Value education for privileged children
The Value Education workshops being conducted under the Child for Child programme are being highly appreciated by principals and parents from privileged schools across India. Stories, songs, real-life instances and interesting activities combine to create these fun-learning sessions for the school children. Children are sensitised to various causes and value systems and ushered to realize the importance of growing up as responsible citizens of the country.
Adolescent boys sensitised on gender issues
In tandem with its objective of creating male change agents within communities to speed up the process of women and girl child empowerment, the Swabhiman programme organised a series of talks and awareness sessions for adolescent boys. The sessions were aimed at encouraging them to discuss vital gender issues in public, participate in creating a homogeneous and conducive environment for girl children in their community, and motivate girls from their families to get education.
