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Author: Smile Editorial Team

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Smile

How to prepare the Indian Youth for the Future?

How to prepare the Indian Youth for the Future?

Youth is a stage between childhood and maturity when young people progressively grow to be acknowledged as adults through profound physiological, psychological, social, and economic development. It is a period in life that is characterised by vitality, excitement, and inventiveness as well as a growing interest in adulthood and careers.

Youth is a period of feelings, fast mood swings, and an unfamiliarity with the world. When a young person awakens to a new world; character and individuality begin to emerge. Every quality and ability is susceptible to overestimation and overabundance, and self-feeling and ambition are intensified. Indian youth have immense potential provided they are well-equipped to enter the workforce with technical skills and knowledge-backed confidence.

It is necessary to help children cope with unique pressures that arise during the time. Today’s adolescents must deal with external pressures as they struggle with physical and emotional transformations. Millions of young people are forced to assume adult tasks and duties before they are ready due to cultural, gender, globalisation, and economic demands.

In the current digital age, technology is essential to our very survival. From the minute we wake up until the moment we go to bed, technology drives all facets of our life–  personal and professional both. Additionally, the pandemic’s severe consequences have made digital the pivotal point for businesses. To solve issues and gain a competitive edge, we are undergoing digital transformations.

Accessing Quality Education

One of the key pillars of prosperity is education. Students learn a lot more when education is easily accessible. The current employment market calls for supplementary talents in addition to technical knowledge. The future of the workforce consisting Indian youth will depend on abilities like creative reasoning, communication, and problem-solving. 

Encourage Entrepreneurship

The kids may harness their desire and ingenuity to help tackle problems when we encourage them. They have the potential to think about the nation’s problems and come up with answers. When given entrepreneurial chances, they come up with forward-thinking solutions to these issues, benefiting the country as a whole. Entrepreneurship is the power of youth in India.

The Necessity for Inclusion of Life Skills

Puberty, a shift in biochemical processes that result in a growing body marks the start of adolescence. For the huge youth population in India, it is a time of “Storm and Stress.” It is a period when children wander away from their parents. During this time, it’s typical for young people to spend more time with their peers and adapt to the opinions and judgements of them.

Because of how crucial this shift is, teenagers often struggle with issues like parent-child disputes, role dispersion, or negative identity. It leads to mismatched talents and goals, a lack of purpose, and an unpreparedness for the psychological challenges of adulthood.

The adolescent has times of insecurity, self-doubt, and disillusionment as a result of these internal tensions and societal expectations. The young person engages in risk-taking behaviours and takes chances under these circumstances. For these reasons, teaching young people life skills is essential to assisting them in overcoming obstacles they encounter on a daily basis.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), life skills are the aptitudes that enable people to successfully handle the demands and difficulties of daily life. The capacity for adaptable and constructive behaviour known as “life skills” enables people to successfully navigate their daily lives.

Life skills, in particular, are a collection of behavioural talents and soft skills that support healthy and successful coping, problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, effective communication, the development of good relationships, and life management.

It is crucial to situate in school life skills-based education within the larger framework of education system. In the end, life skills education must take place in settings that are inclusive, child-friendly, well-resourced, staffed with skilled and motivated instructors using participatory and experiential approaches. Starting in the junior grades and continuing through the upper grades, it should gradually apply life skills to more delicate and complicated topics.

Fostering an Atmosphere where Life Skills can be Practised

If the youth and adolescents feel in-charge of their lives and get respect and approval from others, including teachers and parents, they are more likely to make wise decisions. But poor future prospects, scant family support, low social standing, and few opportunities to influence community decisions all work against life skills training. 

Programs must provide opportunity for students to practise life skills outside of the classroom, challenge common assumptions, and foster support for the right to self-determination if they are to succeed.

Simply said, life skills will only be taught in the classroom only if the society is willing to let kids and teenagers actively participate in decisions impacting them.

Cultivating Community and Academic Support for life skills instruction

Through mobilisation efforts, it is necessary to increase community, school, and family support for life skills-based education.

Launching Livelihood Programmes

Young individuals who work not only earn money but also improve their knowledge, self-worth, and confidence. They also gain a positive view on what the future may bring. Youth might gain a variety of skills, including literacy and numeracy, technical, entrepreneurial, practical, social, managerial, and strategic ones, with the support of livelihood programmes. The students must participate in a variety of academic and occupational decision-making processes that have significant implications for the future. This is the stage at which vocational maturity experiences the greatest development and advancement.

Smile Foundation and Indian Youth

All of the promise is in youth. Smile Foundation with your support is supporting the skilling endeavours of the youth in need of encouragement to expand their knowledge with concerted efforts to place them in flourishing sectors. They will then have complete authority to guide India into its beautiful future.

Learn all about our livelihood initiative, STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) here.

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Health

5 Interventions Smile Foundation is Doing for Rural Healthcare

Treating Illnesses
Treating Illnesses

Healthcare is important because it directly impacts the well-being and quality of life of individuals and communities. Access to proper healthcare services ensures timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses, which in turn leads to improved health outcomes, increased life expectancy, and overall socio-economic development. Rural healthcare is a challenge that needs a different approach and we are here to discuss it.

Significance of Healthcare in Rural India

  1. Health Disparities and Access Challenges: Rural areas in India face significant health disparities compared to urban regions. Limited access to healthcare facilities, medical professionals, and diagnostic services exacerbates these disparities. Many remote villages lack even basic healthcare centers, forcing residents to travel long distances to seek medical help. This lack of accessibility can lead to delayed treatments, worsening health conditions, and even fatalities in critical cases.
  2. Maternal and Child Health: Healthcare is particularly crucial for maternal and child health in rural India. Access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, immunizations, and postnatal care significantly impacts maternal and child mortality rates. Lack of proper healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth can lead to complications, endangering both the mother and the baby. Adequate healthcare interventions are essential to ensure safe pregnancies and healthy childhoods.
  3. Preventable Diseases and Health Education: Rural communities often suffer from preventable diseases due to poor hygiene practices, lack of clean water, and inadequate sanitation facilities. Health education plays a vital role in raising awareness about proper sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition. Healthcare initiatives in rural areas can incorporate health education to empower residents with knowledge about disease prevention and the importance of adopting healthy habits.
  4. Agricultural Health and Occupational Hazards: Agriculture is a primary livelihood source in rural India. However, it exposes individuals to various occupational hazards, such as injuries from farm machinery and exposure to pesticides. Healthcare services are essential to address these specific health risks faced by farmers and agricultural laborers. Immediate medical attention can help mitigate the consequences of accidents and provide guidance on safe farming practices.

Smile Foundation recognizes the importance of healthcare and has taken several initiatives to address healthcare challenges, particularly for underserved populations in India. Some of the key steps taken by the Smile Foundation through its healthcare programme include:

Mobile Healthcare Units

Smile Foundation operates Mobile Healthcare Units (MHUs) equipped with medical professionals and necessary equipment. These units are specially designed to reach remote and underserved areas where access to healthcare is limited. MHUs provide primary healthcare services, including medical check-ups, vaccinations, basic treatments, and health education. These units are vital in bringing healthcare directly to the doorsteps of communities that lack nearby medical facilities.

Nestled in remote neighborhoods, the remote population had to endure arduous journeys to access medical help. With the support of thoughtful corporate and individual donors, the Smile on Wheels (SoW) initiative is a lifeline that offers preventive, healing, and nurturing health services right at their doorstep.

Every day, the SoW mobile units embark on a journey of quality healthcare, visiting these communities with vital health services that encompass more than just medical aid. Conducting OPD sessions, diagnoses, distributing essential medicines, and ensuring seamless referrals. Together, we’re ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to healthcare.

Telemedicine

Smile Foundation’s telemedicine initiative utilizes technology to bridge the gap between remote populations and specialized medical expertise. Telemedicine involves connecting patients with doctors through digital platforms, allowing consultations, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations to be conducted remotely. This is especially crucial for areas with limited access to doctors, enabling timely medical advice and reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for healthcare.

Smile Foundation has successfully established ten e-Arogya Clinics, a collaborative effort with the health department of Nuh and our valued corporate partner. This initiative aims to serve a significant beneficiary group of a million people.

These clinics offer virtual consultations with both general physicians and specialist doctors, alongside the free distribution of essential medicines. The clinics also play a pivotal role in screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and facilitating referrals to higher-tier healthcare services when required. Moreover, we’re committed to building the capacity of front-line workers and Community Health Officers (CHOs) through tailored training programs in collaboration with the Nuh district health administration.

The impact has been noteworthy, with over 35,000 individuals directly benefiting from these e-Arogya Clinics. An encouraging 52 percent of these beneficiaries are women, signifying that previously marginalized community members are now empowered to prioritize their health and well-being. This comprehensive approach has not only transformed healthcare access but also encouraged these communities to embrace their entitled health benefits and engage actively in affirmative health actions.

Static Clinics

In areas with slightly better infrastructure, Smile Foundation sets up static clinics. These clinics provide a more consistent healthcare presence in semi-urban or rural locations. They offer a wider range of medical services compared to MHUs, including diagnostics, minor procedures, and regular health check-ups. Static clinics become reliable healthcare hubs for communities that lack access to fully-fledged hospitals.

Truck Drivers often drive long-haul routes in confined spaces and ignore their health. In order to focus on their health and overall well-being, a static Health Clinic in Ranchi has been set up. The clinic titled Transport Aarogyam Kendra provides OPD services and physiotherapy services to the trucking community of the area.

The physiotherapy services are meant to meet the specialized health care needs of the truck drivers as they suffer from several health issues such as bone ailments, back pain, neck pain etc. The clinic aims to cater to up to 50 beneficiaries per day (physiotherapy and general check-ups).

As part of generating awareness on health-related issues, IEC activities are also conducted, including the distribution of pamphlets, display of posters, wall writing and audio-visual aids, etc.

Health Camps

Smile Foundation organizes health camps in remote areas to provide comprehensive healthcare services over a short period. These camps focus on specific health concerns such as eye care, dental care, immunizations, or maternal health. Expert medical professionals and volunteers come together during these camps to offer consultations, treatments, and health education. Health camps play a vital role in addressing the immediate healthcare needs of remote populations.

Smile Foundation, in association with the Govt. of Rajasthan, Sadbhavana Seva Trust and Jain Conference, conducted the Annual Mega Health Camp in Shahpura Block, Bhilwara District, Rajasthan at the beginning of this year, covering a population of 30,000 children, women and senior citizens.

In the two-day camp, more than 250 doctors and paramedical staff from surgery, ophthalmology, gynaecology, dentistry, orthopaedics, medicine, ENT, anaesthesia, radiology, paediatrics and pathology joined us on the ground, making the camp function like one large multi-specialty hospital.Close to 600 surgeries were conducted in 48 hours.

Government Convergence

Smile Foundation collaborates with existing government health centers to enhance their reach and capacity. This involves providing additional medical staff, equipment, training, and support. By strengthening government health centers, we ensure that they can effectively serve remote populations with quality healthcare services. This approach also helps in creating sustainable healthcare infrastructure in these areas.

Each of these initiatives showcases Smile Foundation’s commitment to improving healthcare access for remote populations. By combining mobile healthcare units, telemedicine, static clinics, health camps, and enhancing government health centers, Smile Foundation is effectively addressing the healthcare challenges faced by underserved communities, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and improved quality of life.

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Education

Importance of Child Centered Education

World Book Day 2024: Nurturing Mind & Enriching Souls 
World Book Day 2024: Nurturing Mind & Enriching Souls 

Child-centered education in today’s world is based on the thinking that students must be encouraged to learn at their own pace. Their study exercises should be tailored following their specific needs and with an inclination toward their interests.

The traditional methods of teaching more often do not produce desirable results. It is leading to students losing interest, piling up of home assignments and poor mental health for teachers, students and parents.

Children love to learn when they enjoy their lessons. Child-focused schooling makes learning relevant and fun, giving even the tired students an incentive to keep trying.

The history of children-specific education began in the twentieth century with ideas from John Dewey, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Maria Montessori.  It is a reversal from the traditional teacher-centered understanding of the learning process and instead puts students at the center of the learning process.

Child-centered Classroom

Child-centered education begins with teachers involving students in a classroom to share in decision-making processes and believing in their capacity to lead. When a child learns about the relevance of the subject in a discussion it makes learning more interesting for them.

During creative learning when a child chooses the focus of the content he/she can use their imagination to come up with interesting takes on the same subject. Brainstorming and engaging in dialog together helps children to match their interests with the skills and concepts. It requires children to be active participants and responsible participants in their own learning.

Focus on All Areas of Development

The very core of learning centered around children is to help the child achieve holistic development. It includes the development of physical capabilities along with intellectual abilities, cognitive or mental abilities, emotional abilities, and social skills. Child-centered teachers engage in an “active learning” process to help the child develop the knowledge and skills needed in all areas.

The NEP 2020 has reconfigured the curriculum of school education to make students more responsive. The curriculum is more relevant to the developmental needs and interests of learners at different stages of their development. The policy states that classroom learning will regularly contain more creative, collaborative, exploratory and fun activities.

Importance of Play 

5 Ways to Raise Fierce Yet Gentle Girls

According to many studies, play acts as a medium of learning for children from a very young age.  It stimulates early brain development. It allows children to create and imagine, which is an important aspect of child-centered education.  Play promotes healthy development and critical thinking skills and reinforces memory.

Playing also provides opportunities for children to learn social interaction. When children play together they learn to cooperate, follow rules, develop self-control, and generally get along with other people.n

New Education Policy (NEP) 2020

While there are many challenges in implementing child-centered learning, these challenges can be met and overcome. In India, it has now started with the introduction of the New Education Policy 2020.

This style of child-centered learning is important for nation-building as it gradually develops independent thinkers, endowed with the tools necessary for lifelong learning.

To know more about Smile Foundation’s campaign on education visit here!

Categories
Women Empowerment

Women of India

Women of India
Women of India

When understanding women empowerment in India, one needs to be aware of their rights like the right to vote, equal opportunities, property rights, freedom of choosing their partner, their legal rights, and many more. Empowering women is about their realization of their self-worth and making equitable conditions exist in a society where women can enjoy their rights just like their male counterparts.

When it comes to the population of women in the world, it’s around 50 % but in India, there is a disproportionate sex ratio resulting in a lower female population.

To understand the present state of things, we need to labyrinth our way into women’s empowerment in India throughout the years, from the ancient to the modern times.

What is women’s empowerment?

For centuries, unjustified treatment towards women went with them not allowed to have property, no share in their parental property properties, no voting rights, and no one to guide them towards making a career and a life where real freedom was a stuff of the dreams.

Now many women have control over their material assets, intellectual resources, and ideologies.

Ancient Indian Period

Women were treated as equal to men, and there was no gender-based discrimination. The society of the time considered women as Janani which means mother, with Hindu scripts considering women as Devi.

All the basic rights were thoroughly enjoyed by women where they were free to receive education and other skills deemed necessary for survival and thriving. Many famous women of the time were competitive with men in many fields with no restrictions binding on them. They also possessed great wealth and property and had a very strong say in matters concerning the welfare of the children.

In Taittiriya Samhita, women and men were considered as the two wheels of a cart- the existence of one dependent upon the functioning of the other. All lessons in the Vedas were great examples of equality between men and women.

The Medieval Period

Medieval India is well remembered because of child marriage. During this era, the birth of a female child brought shame to parents, who perceived daughters as a burden on the family. Consequently, parents hastily arranged marriages for their daughters. Another contributing factor to child marriages was the unfounded belief that mature girls were prone to engage in scandals. As a result, parents sought to marry off their daughters at a young age, with the girls remaining in their parental homes until reaching puberty. In this societal context, women were unfortunately regarded merely as marriage material, treated akin to commodities. This mindset not only led to a surge in birth rates but also contributed to the poor health of women, contributing to higher mortality rates for both women and infants.

No access to widow re-marriage

In the medieval period, widows were stigmatized as cursed and believed to bring ill luck upon becoming widowed. These women had to renounce all comforts promised by their husbands at marriage, facing exclusion from holy rituals and sacred places. Remarriage was forbidden, leaving them with no choice but to lead a life of seclusion, clad in faded white attire and adhering to specific dietary restrictions.

The fight for women’s empowerment in India gained momentum as society evolved. In the early stages of modern empowerment, notable figures like Begum Hazrat Mahal, Uda Devi, and Rani Laxmi Bai emerged during the East India Company era. Social reforms saw the active involvement of men such as Raja Rammohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda, and Swami Dayananda Saraswat, contributing to the restoration of women’s status.

Western Influences

The concept of empowerment originated during the civil rights movements in the USA in the 1960s. Empowerment, defined as an individual process of taking control over one’s life and responsibilities, granting human rights and social justice, played a crucial role in reshaping the status of women in India. The 19th century marked a global shift toward women’s education, influencing trends in India, where the qualitative excellence of education was maintained within a limited aristocratic circle.

British rule and missionary activities from Europe brought changes to Indian society, with the establishment of schools for girls in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. Post-independence, women’s empowerment movements faced challenges as many women returned home after the departure of colonizers. Despite constitutional promises of equality and adult franchise, issues like oppression, discrimination, dowry deaths, unemployment, and a declining sex ratio persisted.

Present Times

The term “human rights” has become ubiquitous, reflecting a broader discourse in contemporary times. The global women’s rights movement extends beyond reformation, focusing on the reconstruction and recovery of women’s status and their inherent rights.

One of the noteworthy areas of progress lies in legislative changes designed to bolster women’s rights and safety. Laws addressing sexual harassment, domestic violence, and gender discrimination have been enacted, marking a significant shift towards a more protective legal framework.

Educationally, India has witnessed a positive trend with increased emphasis on improving female literacy rates. Government initiatives and schemes are actively promoting girls’ education, contributing to a more inclusive and educated female population.

Political participation has seen encouraging developments, with more women occupying key political positions. Reservations for women in local bodies have played a pivotal role in fostering greater female involvement at the grassroots level.

Economically, there is a rising tide of women entering the workforce across diverse sectors and Smile Foundation is making efforts towards putting more women into the workforce. Entrepreneurship among women is on the ascent, reflecting a changing landscape of economic participation.

In conclusion, the evolving status of women in India reflects a dynamic interplay of progress and challenges. While strides have been made in various spheres, the journey towards women empowerment requires a concerted and sustained effort from all segments of society. By addressing challenges head-on, India can move closer to realizing the vision of a society where every woman is empowered to achieve her fullest potential.

Categories
Smile

Celebrating India’s First Woman Teacher: Savitribai Phule

Savitribai Phule

Every year on January 3rd, India observes Savitribai Phule Jayanti, not merely a birthday but a day dedicated to honoring a remarkable woman who tirelessly advocated for girls’ education, igniting a revolution in India.

Born in 1831, Savitribai faced the injustice of being denied access to education during a time when girls, especially those from lower castes like herself, were barred from learning. Despite these challenges, she envisioned a world where every girl, regardless of background, could read, write, and stand independently.

Savitribai Phule boldly challenged the entrenched gender norms of the 19th century, a period marked by British colonization in India, where women’s issues were often overlooked. Alongside her husband Jyotirao Phule, she pioneered women’s education by establishing India’s inaugural school for women in Pune in 1848. Savitribai, becoming the country’s first female teacher, went on to create 17 more schools.

In their relentless fight against caste-based discrimination, Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj, a social reform organization aimed at dismantling the oppressive caste system.

A fervent promoter of widow remarriage, Savitribai campaigned against prevailing customs that condemned widows to lives of deprivation, advocating for their right to remarry.

Devoting their lives to social reform, the Phule couple combated untouchability and labored to uplift the lower castes through education and awareness initiatives.

Beyond her impactful social work, Savitribai Phule excelled as a poet and writer, penning powerful verses that brought attention to gender and caste discrimination, leaving an indelible mark on Marathi literature.

In recognition of her monumental contributions, Savitribai Phule is revered as one of India’s foremost social reformers. Smile Foundation celebrates Savitribai Phule Jayanti as a day to honor her enduring legacy and her profound contributions to education and social equality.

Categories
Smile

Dreaming a ‘Child Labour Free’ India

Some of the kids we work with at Smile Foundation as part of our initiatives exhibit extraordinary leadership characteristics and become changemakers. These are the kids who grew up to work for change by challenging long-standing customs like child marriage, dowry, trafficking, and gender inequity and child labour in India. These kids have already made a difference in their communities or are well on their way to do so.

However, even in 21st century, the horrors of child labour still haunt India. The sooner it gets eradicated, the better. 

What causes Child Labour in India?

It’s critical to consider child labour from the viewpoint of the children, families, and communities involved while discussing the issue. The underlying factors that especially expose children to child labour are listed below– 

Inadequate access to Decent Education

The accessibility and calibre of education are among the most crucial elements. The school setting must be friendly, with reasonable class sizes, a curriculum tailored to the area, and fees easily accessible for remote areas. It is one thing to get kids into school and away from dangerous jobs, but keeping them there entails making high-quality education available to everyone.

Poverty

Poverty is unquestionably the main factor pushing kids into the workforce. Families are forced to send their children to work in order to boost the family income when they are unable to provide for their fundamental requirements, such as food, water, education, or healthcare. 

Given its connections to other major contributors to child labour, such as poor literacy and numeracy rates, a lack of adequate employment prospects, natural catastrophes and climate change, wars and mass migration, poverty is regarded as one of the most significant causes of child labour. 

Without addressing one, we cannot end the other; poverty and child labour are not mutually exclusive.

Wars and Mass Migration

“There is a significant relationship between child labour and war and catastrophe circumstances.” Children represent more than half of all those who have been affected by warfare, according to the ILO.

Owing to an increase in financial shakedowns, a collapse of peer assistance, schools, and basic amenities, and disruption of child protection services, these children are more exposed to types of exploitation, including child labour. Conflict-affected nations have a rate of child labour that is extremely high compared to world-norm. 

Climate Change

One issue that is growing in importance is the impact of climate change and natural catastrophes. Farmers in rural regions who witness their crops being damaged by climate change are forced to put their kids to work. 

Extreme weather events, changed rainfall patterns, and soil erosion are particularly dangerous for rural communities whose livelihoods depend on predictable seasons. Families struggle to make a livelihood and are more likely to send their kids to work on nearby farms when crops are lost or farming land is devastated.

Difficulty Finding Suitable Employment

Children frequently have little option but to labour in dangerous conditions if they can’t find jobs that offer them social safety, fair compensation, equality for men and women, and a place to voice their thoughts. Hazardous employment performed by children who are older than the legal minimum age to work is also regarded as child labour.

Inadequate Knowledge About Child Labour

The common notion is that employment helps kids develop their skills and personalities. Parents are more inclined to send their children to work when they are unaware of the risks associated with child labour and how these risks affect their child.

Types of Child Labour in India

The three primary kinds of child work in India are industrial, domestic, and bonded child labour. The information on the aforementioned Indian industries that use child labour, as well as demographics, are provided below.

Commercial Child Labour

Children under 18 are most frequently employed in the industrial sector which is undoubtedly dangerous to them. Over 10 million children, including over 4.5 million females, between the ages of 5 and 14 labour in unorganised or tiny enterprises. 

Some of the major employers of children are small businesses, such as the garment industry, brick kilns, agriculture, fireworks industries, diamond industries, etc. Such businesses are occasionally run out of people’s homes, which makes it challenging for the government to take necessary action.

One of the biggest and most prominent employers of children in India is the unorganised industry. Working in roadside dhabas and cafes, tea shops, or grocery stores, children might be easily seen. Children are preferred by the operators of these tiny firms since they are manageable and simple to fire.

Using Children at Home

10% of all child labour in India is committed domestically. They include both boys and girls who work as domestic help for rich families to take care of their daily chorus. At a time when they ought to be in school and playing with friends, these kids have no choice but to help other families out. 

The primary cause of youngsters working as domestic helpers is poverty. Typically, parents consent in the hopes of receiving financial support and a secure home for their kids.

The statistics paint a bleak picture–  the majority of domestic employees, or 25% of all those working, are girls under the age of 14. These kids labour for the family as live-in servants, doing chores including cooking, cleaning, taking care of the family’s pets or younger kids, and other duties.

Child Labourers in Bond

A youngster who is forced to work as a slave to pay off his parents’ or guardian’s debt is said to be engaged in bonded child labour. Although the prevalence of bonded child labour has significantly decreased in recent years as a result of strong government oversight and legislation outlawing it, it still occurs covertly in outlying areas.

Children who live in rural areas and work in agriculture are more likely to be subjected to this kind of labour. Poor farmers who are heavily indebted to lenders sometimes agree for their children/siblings to work as labourers for rich lenders. 

Until the last ten years, there were thousands of bound labourers employed in a variety of businesses, but as of today, the numbers have greatly decreased, and the government asserts that there are no longer any bonded child labourers in India.

Laws prohibiting child labour and requiring children to attend school, as well as the combined efforts of UNICEF (United Nations Children Emergency Fund), NGOs, and other pertinent organisations, make this feasible.

How to Make a Child Labour free India

In order to stop exploitation by groups or multinational corporations, strict application of labour rules is necessary. The current legislation prohibiting child labour has to be amended significantly if effective controls are to be put in place. 

It is necessary to raise the minimum child labour age in India from 14 to at least 18. More professions that are not covered by the definition of hazardous activities in the legislation need to be added to the list. 

Solutions to Child Labour in India 

  1. To stop child labour, poverty must be eliminated so that impoverished people are spared from having to put their children to work in order to make ends meet.
  2. Because uneducated people are unaware of the consequences of child labour, awareness and education are powerful tools against the practise of child labour in India.
  3. Eliminating or controlling unemployment is another strategy for preventing child labour in India. Many families struggle to cover all of their bills due to insufficient work. They will be able to teach their kids to read and write so they may grow up to be respectable members of society if work prospects are improved.
  4. We must first alter our own perspectives in order to end child labour in India. First and foremost, we must make sure that no youngster is kept at work in our own house or workplace. We must keep in mind that when we compensate young children for their labour, we are not giving them any favours; rather, we are toying with their future.
  5. In order for people to comprehend how child labour is affecting India’s future, we also need to raise awareness of the issue. They will have to comprehend that India cannot progress if child labour weakens the nation’s youngsters both psychologically and physically.
  6. Owners of businesses such as factories and stores should swear an oath not to use child labour and to forbid others from doing the same.
  7. We want the effective execution of laws that impose severe penalties on vendors, merchants, and mill owners who hire children for low salaries in order to prohibit child labour in India.
  8. Additionally, India should enact stronger and tighter rules against child labour so that no one would dare use it.

Smile Foundation 

Smile Foundation, through its Mission Education (ME) initiative, has so far directly steered more than 200,000 kids toward empowerment through education.

You may assist a child in breaking free from the chains of poverty. For a little monthly and yearly commitment, you may provide that youngster with advantages that could change their life. Your online gift will make sure the kid has access to education, dietary assistance, and healthcare throughout every stage of their young life. You can help a young child achieve their dreams.

Donate for child education to assist us in our mission to enroll every kid in school and to help a child experience the true joy of learning

Categories
Education

Mind Sharpness Games For Students

Mind Sharpness Games For Students
Mind Sharpness Games For Students

The story of Abhimanyu, a great young warrior from the epic Mahabharata, tells us that our minds are impressionable and begin to form consciousness from the fetal stage. Medical science confirms so too!

The process of shaping, sharpening, and conditioning of minds that starts in the mother’s womb accelerates upon birth. A young mind learns from every sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. An engaged mind is an inspired mind. And what better way is there to engage students than mind-sharpness games? 

Catch Them Early!

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.”

Carl Jung

From an early age, a child needs curated intervention to acutely sharpen their minds. Studies have shown that games can sharpen the minds of students. Why? Because it makes the learning process natural, organic, interesting, engaging, and fun. 

Children are the future of mankind, cliché, but points me towards another absolute truth. Nobody can! It is also true that children have the attention span of sparrows. So, it is crucial to keep the mind of students engaged as then learning outcomes will be fruitful.

To achieve this parents/ guardians/ teachers need to introduce age-appropriate mind sharpness games at different stages of a child’s growth.

Activity, Stimulation and Retention Through Mind Sharpness Games

This blog does not promote any single type of game to sharpen the minds of students. But we discuss how games are an effortless method of leaving a long-lasting impression on the minds of students. 

There is no dearth of games, whether on-screen or off-screen, indoors or outdoors. However, the usage of games needs to be well-targeted, well-intentioned, and properly administered with child safety measures in place. This serves the purpose of increased brain activity, stimulation, and retention. 

Aamir Khan, an actor from Bollywood, also known as Mr. Perfectionist, has shown to the world in his hugely successful movie, Taare Zameen Par, that games when administered in a focused manner; can be combined with traditional educational methods that lead to increased creativity, innovation, and out-of-box thinking. 

Types of Mind Sharpness Games

The simplest of games such as catch can improve the ability of the mind to perceive the speed, direction, distance, and angle of an object. It improves hand-eye coordination, on the other hand, indoor games such as ludo and snake & ladder teach us primary mathematics and in general, it conditions the mind to stay away from snakes because they are dangerous (not all of them are poisonous, and kids interested in serpentology can educate other kids about it)

It’s often seen that a child will forget alphabets or numerals when taught by a teacher in a School or tuition, however, the recall of learning is higher when the same is tutored through say a game or in a more engaging way where the mind and body are compelled to work together. 

Building legos, or bringing the pieces of a puzzle together shows a particular piece will fit at a particular place and needs matching with the surrounding design. These sharpen minds because a child does not tend to forget the rules of a game thus positively impacting memory retention. 

Every Game Has Its Winning and Learning Parts

A child will know that the carrom’s queen has to be won in the end. A knight in chess is the only piece that can jump other pieces because the knight represents a horse which is the only animal piece of the chess board that in real life is capable of glorious jumps. 

It moves two squares vertically and one square horizontally, or two squares horizontally and one square vertically, jumping over other pieces. In order to participate and win, the mind has to adapt, move and change strategy in tandem with his/her opponent thus stimulating brain functions. 

Technological innovations have paved the way for onscreen; online & indoor gaming. Recently, online/screen gaming or electronic sports (E-sports) has been recognized by the Government of India as a sporting event. Research has shown that these mind-sharpness games have the ability to sharpen the mind of students just as well as the games involving physical activity.  

Our opponents in games need not be just our next-door friends but they could be anyone across the globe. A chess prodigy in India can practice with a worthy opponent from Russia. Further, there may be physical difficulty where a child cannot go out (think of children who are differently-abled) or just does not want to go out, she can engage with others online. 

Learning Through Games: An Enhancement to Traditional Methods of Learning 

Mind sharpness games cannot replace the formal system of education, the difficult concepts of mathematics and science including social sciences need classroom teaching and nuances of behavioral methods need expert instructions. However, an institutionalized classroom education may not inspire students to think out of the box and be creative.

So, games can complement traditional learning methods. Playing cards, consciously or subconsciously, are a good lesson in probability or permutation. A theoretical physics concept can be explained practically by outdoor games such as football or cricket. A child can learn the force and angle it needs to use in order to hit the ball in a desired direction at a suitable pace. 

Social concepts of human love and bonding should be taught through games. Team games make us a collective winner or give us the strength to own collective responsibility so that no one person faces adversity alone. These are values that make us more human and these values must be inculcated from a tender age.

After a long hard day, an adult needs to relax, so this is true for a child who needs to cool down. For a child, games are one of the best ways to de-stress and a stress-free mind is a healthy mind. In such a free environment, the odds of growth are highest. 

Building More Than Sharpness of Minds Through Games

Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution puts an onus on every citizen to develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform and to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement.

We may yet not realize it but games make children inquisitive, they sharpen our minds. We can very well say that games develop the overall personality, worldview, and outlook of students. 

While games do sharpen the minds of students, it contributes much more. It imbibes team building, sportsmanship, and understanding the concept of brotherhood. 

This goes on to show the children that together we can prosper and face difficulties and losses without much pain. It teaches us to win and at the same time losing does not mean the end of the world. It makes the child ready for his adult life. 

Closing Lines: Bringing Fame Home Through Games

The next time your child plays a video game, any physical sports, or carrom board, she is not wasting her time but as a parent, if you are not able to curate studies and games together then you may very well be failing your duty.  After all, it is through playing only, we can get our Olympic medalists, world cups, and champions. 

Learn about Smile Foundation’s flagship initiative, Mission Education, and engage with us on how to thoughtfully integrate games and learning.

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Insights Smile

Important to Empower the Grassroots for Social Change

Important to Empower the Grassroots for Social Change

A grassroots organization is one that starts a socio-economic movement with the people of a certain district, area, or community. Grassroots movements and groups use coordinated action at the local, regional, national, and worldwide levels to affect change. Thus, it is important to empower the grassroots to effect real social change.

Importance of Grassroots Organizations

Grassroots organizations are important because constructive change rarely occurs or lasts when it comes from the top down. Activities of grassroots organizations are associated with bottom-up decision making rather than top-down. They are sometimes rightly thought to be more natural or spontaneous than more established power systems.

People active in grassroots movements typically have the best understanding of the local issues. This is because they are members of the community most affected by the issue at hand. They are also more likely to be familiar with local important contacts who have the capacity to bring about the desired change. They are the ones who can persuade community leaders that the change is a good thing. Like Mr. Kalappa Lakshmaiah who had to walk 16 km every day to attend his high school classes and so, he ensured that the next generation will have their own school in the village to go to.

Members of grassroots movements generally have a more realistic view of where the rubber meets the road. Grassroots movements can exemplify a distinct style of thinking or express a problem that is significant to a segment of the general public.

What can Community-based Organizations (CBOs) offer to Big Urban Development Processes?

If community-based organisations are to be effective in significantly modifying current urban development patterns, it must occur on numerous levels. First, local residents, particularly women, should be involved in neighbourhood organizations. Second, they must work together across settlement lines to document needs and define priorities. Third, settlement networks must be integrated at the city level. This can be done by collaborating on inclusive solutions with local government officials and politicians while eliminating exploitation of the grassroots process.

All these together can contribute in empowering the grassroots.

Empowered Grassroots Organizations Address Issues Differently 

Local community groups and local governments work together to provide the most effective initiatives. National governments can play a significant role in supplying resources. However, municipal governments are crucial in working on urban poverty. Local governments are connected to the people and may respond to their demands. They have an impact on local land development, service access, and regulatory frameworks for the growth of informal settlements.

Why should municipal governments work with grassroots organizations?

Clientelist political ties are widespread, especially in resource-constrained contexts. These things restrict resources from being used effectively, drive communities to compete with one another, and reinforce vertical power relations. This is disadvantageous to many of the most vulnerable residents.

Grassroots organizations networked at the city level can fight these practices and help local governments become more responsible. They can provide innovative answers to current problems by collaborating with local governments and communities. Moreover, they can establish an alternative neighbourhood-based voice that confronts prejudice and discrimination against the poor in both resource-rich and resource-poor circumstances. Women are frequently involved to be part of these neighbourhood initiatives. They are adept at establishing connections as well as making practical changes. As a result, new public roles for women are created as part of empowering the grassroots.

Challenges Faced by Grassroots Organizations

There are a limited number of problems that communities confront while attempting to collaborate with national government departments and development agencies on a regular basis. First, projects are not flexible enough to allow local community groups to choose their own priorities and how to effectively handle them. A substantial local involvement is not possible unless these programmes are restructured. Those most in need will only join in once the project is approved and activities begin. This is not to say that there are no rules or accountability. Instead, the rules must be more process-oriented. This means that rather than solutions, communities must document requirements and designate priorities, such as improved water providers.

Once it is accepted that there is a need and that resources are available, local citizens can be engaged in developing solutions to improve their position. If the solution is already predetermined, it is unlikely to work because local ownership will be too weak.

The Need to empower Grassroots Organizations

Development of the grassroots combines holistic methods and local capacity building to embolden vulnerable groups. This helps them grow in accordance with their own needs and values. As a result, grassroots organizations may assist communities in leading happy, healthy, and prosperous lives that they value and have reason to cherish.

Grassroots projects give communities the ability to shape their own development. At Smile Foundation, we firmly believe in the power of the grassroots. Through various trainings and workshops in our Empowering Grassroots initiative, we seek to empower and educate our partners who are working at the local level. These include things such as mobilizing support, local fundraising, strengthening resources, and so on.

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In The Spotlight

Knowledge is Power

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Nelson Mandela rightly said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. An educated person has the ability to differentiate between right and wrong or good and evil or to form an opinion of their own. Although India’s education sector has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few decades, many of its children still fail to receive a quality education.

While some do not have access to schools, others are hindered by socio-economic reasons like family income level, parents’ level of education, race and gender. Graduating school is the only way for children to get out of the malignant cycle of poverty pervasive in many underserved localities throughout India. A well rounded system of education doesn’t measure a student’s merit just by academic results. Instead, it identifies the talents, interests and aspirations of every student and helps them develop their strengths and serve worthy causes.

There is an inversely proportional relationship between education and poor health. If the people are educated, we can expect a decline in prenatal deaths and maternal mortality rate, while simultaneously improving children’s health. Educating women and girls abut reproductive healthcare and their rights regarding marriage empowers them to make decisions about their lives. Early marriage and pregnancy cut educations short and often lead to underweight, undernourished children, as well as domestic violence. Thousands of under-aged girls marry each year, some as young as 8 or 9. Education helps everyone understand the harm of this practice.

The spread of disease in developing countries like India is often exacerbated by a lack of public knowledge about how it is transmitted. An appalling high number of children in India are still out of school working in hazardous conditions, living on the street, braving hunger, poverty and violence. Childhood for them has become an endless struggle to survive.

But despite their circumstances, they have not stopped dreaming. Their dreams are as colorful as any other child’s and they have just as much potential to fulfil them. Their eagerness to learn and express is half the job done. As a society, it is our responsibility to manifest consciously on an equitable, inclusive and robust education system for all.

The Mission Education programme of Smile Foundation identifies such out-of-school children from remote villages, tribal areas and urban slums, and provides them quality education. In addition to this, it also looks after their health, nutrition, and holistic development through participation in co-curricular activities.

Smile Foundation believes that whether you are addressing healthcare, poverty, population control, unemployment or human rights, there’s no better place to start than in the corridors of education.

To change lives by providing education to our children, please consider making a thoughtful donation here. 

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Insights

Impact-based organisations and India’s economic growth

Impact-based organisations and India’s economic growth

In a world with myriad social and environmental challenges, impact-based organisations stand at the forefront, driven by a mission to create positive change. Development entities, also known as nonprofits, employ a strategic and comprehensive approach to address issues ranging from education, healthcare, and livelihood to poverty alleviation and environmental conservation.

At the core of every impact-based organisation lies a clearly defined mission and vision. These guiding principles serve as the North Star, directing efforts toward a specific social or environmental issue that demands attention. Before launching into action, development organisations conduct thorough needs assessments and research. This phase is crucial for gaining insights into the root causes and dynamics of the issue at hand, laying the groundwork for informed decision-making.

Program Designing

Armed with knowledge, these organisations embark on strategic planning. Goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes are meticulously outlined, forming the blueprint for effective program design. One of the cornerstones of impact-based organisations is Community engagement. Building trust, understanding local needs, and involving community members in the decision-making process are key elements ensuring the relevance and success of their initiatives. Impact-based organisations have years of experience in understanding the community and re-designing programs based on the needs of the said community.

Executing Programs

To turn plans into reality, NGOs often engage in resource mobilization. Fundraising activities, which can include seeking donations, grants, and forming partnerships, are crucial for securing the financial resources needed for implementation. With resources in hand, impact-based organizations roll out their programs. This could encompass a wide array of activities, from providing healthcare services and running education initiatives to conducting awareness campaigns and implementing community development projects.

Assessing Impact

Continuous monitoring and evaluation are embedded in the operational DNA of these organizations. Data on key performance indicators is collected and analyzed to gauge whether the intended impact is being achieved. Learning from both successes and failures, impact-based organizations view their work as an iterative process. This adaptive approach allows them to fine-tune and improve programs over time.

Beyond the immediate impact, many NGOs engage in advocacy efforts to influence policies and bring about systemic changes. Collaboration with governments, international bodies, and other stakeholders is common and imperative to extend the sphere of influence.

What about accountability?

Transparency is paramount. Development organisations maintain openness in their operations and financial management. Regular reporting to donors, stakeholders, and the public is crucial to demonstrate accountability and build trust.

Successful organisations don’t rest on their laurels. They seek ways to scale impact, whether by expanding the reach of existing programs, replicating successful models in new locations, or collaborating with other organisations to amplify efforts.

It’s about sustainability

Sustainability is a key consideration. Development organisations work towards models that can continue to have a positive impact even after the initial funding or intervention period. This might involve capacity building, community empowerment, or fostering partnerships.

Collaboration is not just an option; it’s a necessity. Impact-based organisations often join forces with other entities, be it governments, businesses, or communities, to leverage resources, expertise, and networks for greater collective impact.

In their relentless pursuit of positive change, impact-based organisations like Smile Foundation play a pivotal role in shaping a better future for communities worldwide. Through a combination of strategic planning, community engagement, and adaptability, organisations like ours embody the spirit of transformative action, leaving a mark on the landscape of social and environmental progress.

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