JULY 2025
Empowering Girls in Rajasthan Through Vocational Education
Under the Manzil Project, a series of district-level workshops were conducted in Tonk, Ajmer, Dausa, Alwar, and Bharatpur to enhance vocational education in schools, focusing on equipping young girls with the skills needed for meaningful career opportunities and personal growth. These workshops brought together over 330 participants, including principals, vocational in-charges, officials from the State Mission for Skill Development (SMSA), employers, and students. The sessions emphasized the importance of practical, industry-aligned skills and fostered collaboration to bridge the gap between education and employment.
IIT Bombay mentors Smile Foundation children in STEM
Hundreds of students from Smile Foundation participated in an immersive two-day STEM workshop at IIT Bombay. This initiative aimed at nurturing curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning to prepare young minds for the future. In the Robotics Workshop, they built Wi-Fi-controlled robots, understanding how physics, mechanics, and electronics come together. The Aero-modelling session introduced them to the principles of flight as they designed rubber-powered gliders. A discussion on Life Cycle Analysis and Carbon Capture Technology helped them see how science can solve real-world challenges.
Training in local fundraising for community-based organisations
Smile Foundation’s Empowering Grassroots programme, in partnership with Change the Game Academy, conducted training on local fundraising for community-based organizations from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. The trainers emphasized that successful fundraising goes beyond seeking support and involves building connections and aligning with donor expectations. Through Empowering Grassroots, we support local initiatives to become self-reliant and create lasting change in their communities, by equipping them with skills in fundraising, governance, and program management.
New physiotherapy centre for transport community in Indore
As part of their ongoing partnership to support the healthcare needs of truckers and the broader transport community, Smile Foundation and HDB Financial Services launched a Transport Aarogyam Kendra - a physiotherapy, counseling, and therapeutic center in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. With over 14,000 consultations planned annually, the centre will offer physiotherapy services to improve mobility and relieve pain, general health check-ups, eye care, and referrals for advanced treatment. The program will also include eye check-up sessions and physiotherapy camps at the trucking hubs in the neighbourhood.
Scholarship support for girls pursuing engineering in Pune
Smile Foundation has joined hands with General Industrial Controls Pvt. Limited, to launch the Hemlata Sohan Chordiya Engineering Scholarship to support young girls in Pune pursuing careers in engineering. This initiative provides financial assistance, laptops, training in personality development and English, internships, and job placement support, equipping scholars with the skills and resources needed to excel in the industry. More than just financial aid, this scholarship serves as a stepping stone for young women, enabling them to break barriers and build successful careers in STEM fields.
Capacity Building of Frontline Workers in Chhata, Uttar Pradesh
Asha workers, Anganwadi staff, and other frontline health workers (FLWs) attended a training session in Chhata to address critical health issues like anaemia in adolescent girls and malnutrition in children. The session focused on understanding Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition, and anaemia, as well as equipping FLWs with practical skills to identify and manage these conditions effectively. The training was part of the Pink Smile initiative, supported by PepsiCo which aims to improve maternal, child, and adolescent health through awareness, prevention, and timely healthcare interventions.
Skilling centres in 4 cities to train 4000+ underserved youth
Smile Foundation joined hands with Bajaj Finserv to launch 27 skilling centers in Kolkata, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore. The initiative is designed to equip 4,100 youth with essential job-ready skills, including computer proficiency, data entry, spoken English, interpersonal skills and retail management. Additionally, career counseling sessions provide valuable guidance on professional development and job placements, opening doors to stable employment and financial independence. The programme aims to increase employability, providing better job opportunities and financial stability for participants and their families.
From Learning to Livelihood: HIEX unlocks opportunities for youth
A placement drive at Smile Foundation’s skilling and livelihood initiative in Delhi, in collaboration with Holiday Inn Express, has unlocked new possibilities for young aspirants stepping into the professional world. Through its skilling initiative, Smile Foundation equips underserved youth with essential skills, preparing them for careers in retail, hospitality, and BPO sectors. The session was filled with inspiring stories, engaging discussions, and personal interviews—each candidate bringing determination and hope for a brighter future. Seven deserving individuals secured placement opportunities at Holiday Inn Express. For them, it’s a step toward independence, self-reliance, and the ability to support their families.
Health camps in Delhi NCR treat over 1200 people
Smile Foundation, in association with Megmeet Electrical India Limited, conducted primary health camps across Gurgaon, Noida, and Delhi. More than 1,200 people, including daily wagers and their families, received free medical consultations and check-ups from a team of specialized doctors, including Orthopedicians, Pediatricians, General Physicians and Gynaecologists. With a focus on women and children, the health camps provided free of cost healthcare services in the community, including doctor consultations, medicine disbursement, nutrition-specific counselling sessions, and point of care tests.
Solar-powered digital classrooms for Gurugram students
Zimmer Biomet India and Smile Foundation have joined hands to enhance the learning experience for children in two government schools in Gurugram by introducing solar-powered digital education. With solar panels ensuring uninterrupted power supply, classrooms will have consistent access to digital tools and interactive learning resources. The initiative also includes STEM DIY kits and Teaching-Learning Materials (TLMs), giving students the chance to explore science through hands-on experiments and creative problem-solving. By promoting clean energy and interactive learning, the initiative aims to build sustainable, future-ready schools.
Refurbishment of Anganwadi centres in Pune, Maharashtra
Smile Foundation partnered with Mars Wrigley Foundation to refurbish 10 Anganwadi Centres across Khed and Moshi villages in Pune, creating safe and child-friendly spaces for over 1,200 children and 200+ pregnant and lactating women, as part of its Community Connection grant program. These centres have been upgraded with toilets, kitchen gardens, learning materials, and furniture. Anganwadi workers also received toolkits and training to better support young children and mothers. It was a heartwarming celebration, with the entire village coming together to mark this important step, along with Government officials including the CDPO, BDO, and Village Sarpanch.
STEM lab, DIY kits & activities to benefit 200+ children
Smile Foundation joined hands with GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited (GSK) to launch a STEM Lab at its Mission Education Centre in Delhi NCR, aiming to spark curiosity and interest in science and technology among children. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education plays a crucial role in developing problem-solving skills, creativity, and critical thinking in young learners. By connecting scientific concepts to daily life through reusable DIY kits and interactive activities, this initiative encourages children to explore, experiment, and innovate, bringing hands-on learning to 200 children.
