Smile Foundation India
SUPPORT A CAUSE
Logo
Smile Foundation India
DONATE NOW

Author: Smile Editorial Team

Categories
In The Spotlight Partners In Change

Results for Waste No More by PepsiCo and Smile Foundation

Results for Waste No More by PepsiCo and Smile Foundation

This pandemic, the world witnessed a massive shift in consumption habits of people. What we saw was an upsurge in home deliveries and usage of PPE kits and masks. Plastic has clearly become an integral part of our daily lives, even more so than before. What we can do, however, is to use it judiciously and recycle/upcycle it as much as we can. Towards this aim, PepsiCo and Smile Foundation tied up for the Waste No More initiative.

 

The Waste No More Initiative

This October, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and Rashtirya Swachhata Diwas, Smile Foundation collaborated with Pepsico India. The aim was to promote and spread awareness about plastic waste management. And where would the best place to start be, but with our little friends. The idea of Waste No More formed the basis of the the initiative. This was taken to students across the country to help build an India where plastic is no more a waste. We connected digitally with 250+ schools in over 50 cities and got them to participate in various thematic competitions. They could write essays, make paintings, make best out of waste, or share videos and audio stories around plastic waste management.

The entries remained open from 23 September-2 October 2021. There was outreach to private and government schools pan India. The competitions were also open to students attached with the Mission Education program of Smile Foundation. Children could submit their entries digitally through a dedicated platform. They wrote essays on how to reuse plastic, made paintings on how to protect the ocean and keep the environment clean, made items with upcycled plastic and other waste materials lying in the house. We even had some children share video and audio stories on how used plastic is no more a waste.

 

Got the creative juices flowing

 

Over the course of the initiative, we received a myriad of creative ideas to reduce, reuse, and upcycle. From making a collage with plastic lying around the house, to a poster that depicts how to save our oceans, and essays on Swachhata aur swathya  ek mazbut kadi, each entry was more innovate and inspirational than the previous one. Students shared audio stories on how they have seen cows eating plastic and what they have done to prevent the same. Some students made paintings depicting the damage to the environment and how plastic can be used to protect if used judiciously. One thing is quite apparent–it’s time we let our youth pick up the mantle to protect and preserve Mother Earth. The message is quite clear: we truly should Waste No More.

 

There is wealth in waste. Despite a massive shift in our consumption habits, there is hope if we take Bapu’s message forward. “When there is both inner and outer cleanliness, it approaches Godliness.” This Rashtriya Swachhata Diwas, our children have shown us the path to leave behind a better and cleaner environment for future generations. This is a world where plastic remains a part of our lives but there is no more a waste. Here’s a big hurrah to all who sent in their submissions and many congratulations to the winners.

 

The jury

 

We need to thank our jury members who came on board to choose the best amongst the best. We had with us Ms. Seema Kohli, a reputed contemporary artist; Ms. Shreya Krishnan, VP & Head Marcom, Aon India Insurance Brokers; Ms. Teenaa Pasricha, a National Award-winning film maker; and Prof. Sapna A. Narula, Dean, Management Studies at Nalanda University. They loved every entry they went through. Thus, it was a daunting task to arrive at the top 3 across all categories.

 

We congratulate all students who participated with enthusiasm and the organizers from Smile Foundation and Pepsico India in taking forward the beautiful message of Waste No More.

 

Results of Waste No More (CFC schools)
Results of Waste No More (CFC schools)
Result of Waste No More (ME schools)
Result of Waste No More (ME schools)
Categories
Insights

5 Healthcare Priorities to Watch Out for in 2021 and Beyond

5 Healthcare Priorities to Watch Out for in 2021 and Beyond

What goals should hospitals and health care system boards prioritize in these exceptional circumstances in order to prepare for the future? As firms deal with the pandemic, we anticipate that continual disruption will be the norm, and that paths to success will increasingly rely on teamwork, innovation, digitization, and scaling ahead of the competition. We need to watch out for certain healthcare priorities.

 

Ecosystem of collaboration to channelize healthcare priorities

 

COVID-19 has shown key vulnerabilities in health care organizations around the world, including safety, equipment, data availability, and infrastructure. Early on, it became clear that relying solely on an organization’s own supply lines and competencies was not an option. This resulted in impromptu alliances, with providers, suppliers, and non-health-care organizations stepping in to contribute resources and capacity to meet the situation.

 

Successful firms will expand on this approach, looking for ways to bridge gaps and innovate with partners who bring unique capabilities to the table in order to address healthcare priorities.

 

Patient Analysis

 

Today, we can receive items the same day we order them and trace them from order placement to delivery minute by minute. It’s not surprising that patients expect their health-care providers to be just as efficient and transparent. Instead, some patients may have to wait weeks or months for an appointment and have no idea when their exam results would be ready. To increase the convenience, timeliness, and transparency of care, organizations must examine their present barriers to consumer satisfaction and employ analytics and patient-centric solutions. For example, by implementing precision scheduling methods to reduce wasted time between imaging scans, a West Coast health institution was able to free up 5,000 extra exam slots each year, allowing patients to be scheduled sooner.

 

Automation and Artificial Intelligence

 

AI is having a huge influence in radiology, with solutions to eliminate repetitive activities, decrease bias-based reading errors, discover data patterns in pictures to forecast danger, and improve workflow procedures. For example, a collaboration between GE Healthcare and Intel promises to improve patient care while lowering costs for hospitals and health systems through the use of digital imaging solutions deployed via edge and cloud. Together, the firms believe that their solutions will boost hospital efficiency by improving asset performance, lowering patient risk and dosage exposure – thanks to faster picture processing – and shortening the time to diagnosis and treatment.

 

Automation is simplifying business operations in health systems that rely largely on repeated tasks, such as supply chain, revenue cycle, and customer support. Expect to see new sensors in health care (HL7, cameras, speakers, weather forecasts, and more) that will significantly increase productivity.

 

Importance of Virtual Care

 

Virtual care solutions will continue to emerge across the care continuum, from telehealth visits to virtual hospital care and home-based care. In February 2020, telehealth accounted for fewer than 1% of Medicare primary care visits; by April, the figure had increased to 43%, owing to the pandemic. This expansion appears to be sustainable, as patients and clinicians alike adopt a new virtualized paradigm. Organizations will need to connect their virtual approach with the changing needs of their markets, growth plan, and developing payment mechanisms. This is not a panacea, but rather a natural development toward better supporting physicians and patients: virtual needs to become the way organizations work rather than a separate component of the plan.

 

Cooperative Competition as a Strategic Option

 

Cooperative competition, often known as coopetition, is a major trend in health care. While some providers perceive big-box retailers, national pharmacy chains, and other newcomers as dangers, others see opportunity. Their aim is to use these power players’ strengths to lower the cost of care, improve downstream market capture, and focus on core specialist services while remaining highly connected to the patient.

 

CVS and Walmart now provide basic primary care, simple diagnostic services, and chronic illness management — things that health systems have struggled to provide profitably. Finding possibilities to collaborate with retail businesses to address this gap can assist to streamline organizational services, enhance access, and provide better patient care at a cheaper cost.

 

Diversification of Revenue

 

Data is becoming the money of future, according to my interactions with chief information officers, and infrastructure must enable needs at scale. Large businesses will make significant efforts to better utilize and monetize data in order to improve productivity, improve patient care, and drive more money for essential programs. We also see organizations monetizing data/intellectual property through associations with nontraditional pharma and big tech partners, as well as forming venture capital funds to monitor downside risk associated with unforeseen patient volumes and the volatility of traditional non operating investments.

 

Healthcare priorities for the coming years

 

The year 2020 has laid the groundwork for digital transformation and innovation in the healthcare system, and we must now work to scale it up and increase digital inclusion in the most remote parts of the country.

Categories
Insights

स्मार्ट डिजिटल शिक्षा माध्यम से परम्परागत शिक्षा की ओर पुनरागमन

स्मार्ट डिजिटल शिक्षा माध्यम से परम्परागत शिक्षा की ओर पुनरागमन

प्राचीन शिक्षा विशेषकर मानसिक और आध्यात्मिक विकास पर बल देती थी जिसके अनुसार केवल ज्ञानार्जन एवं अनुशासन आदि को ही शिक्षा का एकमात्र उद्देश्य माना जाता था। आधुनिक शिक्षा व्यक्ति के न केवल मानसिक और आध्यात्मिक विकास पर बल देती है बल्कि शारीरिक एवं सामाजिक विकास तथा आवश्यकता या बाज़ार के अनुसार भी शिक्षा पर भी बल देती है। कुल मिलाकर कहा जा सकता है कि आधुनिक शिक्षा/डिजिटल शिक्षा का उद्देश्य व्यक्ति का सर्वांगीण विकास तथा उसमें सामाजिक कुशलता के गुणों का विकास करना है।

 

प्राचीन भारत में शिक्षा की व्यवस्था के लिए गुरुकुल प्रणाली का विकास किया गया था | उस समय कागज का अविष्कार नहीं हुआ था , इसलिए पुस्तको द्वारा शिक्षा देने का प्रश्न ही नहीं उठता | उस समय सब प्रकार की शिक्षा मौखिक या व्यवहारिक रूप में दी जाती थी | इसलिए उस समय के विद्यार्थी जो कुछ पढ़ते थे उसे जन्म भर के लिए स्मरण शक्ति द्वारा सुरक्षित बना लेते थे |

 

विद्यार्थियों को स्वावलंबन का पाठ पढ़ाया जाता था जिससे वह अपने आगामी जीवन में कंही भी और कैसी भी परिस्थिति में अपने पैरो पर खड़ा हो सकता था |

 

शिक्षा की परंपरागत प्रणाली ही भारत की पहचान है। आधुनिक शिक्षा तभी सुद्रण होगी जब वह शिक्षा की भारतीय परम्परा को आत्मसात करेगी। आत्मनिर्भर भारत के लिए शिक्षा में रूपांतरण अति आवश्यक है।

 

शिक्षा प्रागितिहास में शुरू हुई, क्योंकि वयस्कों ने युवाओं को उनके समाज में आवश्यक ज्ञान और कौशल में प्रशिक्षित किया। पूर्व-साक्षर समाजों में, यह मौखिक रूप से और नकल के माध्यम से प्राप्त किया गया था। कहानी सुनाने से ज्ञान, मूल्य और कौशल एक पीढ़ी से दूसरी पीढ़ी तक पहुंचा। जैसे-जैसे संस्कृतियों ने अपने ज्ञान को कौशल से आगे बढ़ाना शुरू किया, जिसे नकल के माध्यम से आसानी से सीखा जा सकता था, औपचारिक शिक्षा विकसित हुई।

 

इधर तेरहवीं शताब्दी में कागज तथा पंद्रहवी शताब्दी में छापने के यंत्रों का अविष्कार हो गया जिसके परिणामस्वरूप जन-साधारण को भी इन स्कूलों में शिक्षा प्राप्त करने के अवसर मिलने लगे।

 

पेस्टालॉजी ने इन स्कूलों के सम्बन्ध में ठीक ही लिखा है – “हमारे अमनोवैज्ञानिक स्कूल बालकों को अनके प्राकृतिक जीवन से दूर कर देते हैं, उन्हें अनाकर्षक बातों को याद करने के लिए भेड़ों के समान हांकते हैं तथा घण्टों, दिनों, सप्ताहों, महीनों एवं वर्षों तक दर्दनाक जंजीरों से बांध देते हैं।“

 

शिक्षा को अपने सांस्कृतिक जीवन मूल्यों का ठोस आधार और भारतीयता का व्यापक संदर्भ देना यह प्रमुख मुद्दा है। शिक्षा को सिर्फ परीक्षाओं में आने वाले सवालों के जवाब देने तक सीमित रखने के बजाय जीवन उन्मुखी बनाने का प्रयास होना अत्यंत आवश्यक है। विद्यार्थी को मनुष्य बनाना यही शिक्षा का मुख्य उद्देश्य है। व्यक्ति को मनुष्य बनाना इसका मतलब यह होता है कि राष्ट्र और समाज के प्रति संवेदनशील बनाना। यही संवेदनशीलता मनुष्य को सामाजिक एवं राष्ट्रीय मुद्दों से जोड़ती है। गत 70 सालों से चली आ रही शिक्षा प्रक्रिया को हम देखते हैं तो वह हमारी मानवीय स्वतंत्रता और संवेदनशीलता का दमन करने वाली महसूस होती है। समाज में अस्वस्थ प्रतिस्पर्धा को उकसाने वाली, मनुष्य को निर्जीव अंक एवं आंकड़ों से जबरन जोड़कर रखने वाली मालूम पड़ती है।

 

इस प्रकार की शिक्षा प्रणाली विद्यार्थियों में भारतीय मूल्य और जीवन से जुड़े मूल्यों के प्रति वास्तविकता और व्यवहार में निष्ठा का विकास करने वाली कैसे संभव हो सकती है?

 

इस प्रकार परम्परागत शिक्षा कागज विहीन होने से लेकर पुस्तकों के रूप तक का सफ़र तय किया और पुँनः अपने वर्तमान समय में परम्परागत रूप को तकनीकी स्वरुप लेकर आधुनिक शिक्षा जगत में प्रवेश किया | जिसे डिजिटल शिक्षा अथवा स्मार्ट बोर्ड कम्प्यूटर आधारति शिक्षा प्रणाली के रूप में जाना जाता है |

 

 उत्तर प्रदेश के परिषदीय स्कूलों में स्माइल फाउंडेशन का द्वारा इस डिजिटल शिक्षा अथवा स्मार्ट बोर्ड कम्प्यूटर आधारति शिक्षा प्रणाली का शुभारम्भ जनपद गोंडा मी किया गया और शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में नई तकनीकी का समावेश किया गया |

 

डिजिटल शिक्षा अथवा स्मार्ट बोर्ड कम्प्यूटर आधारति शिक्षा

 

ये शिक्षा प्रणाली  कागज मुक्त शिक्षा है | जो की पूर्णता सहज और सरल तथा मात्रभाषा ने निर्मित पाठ्यक्रम को संगृहित कर बच्चो के अधिगम को सुगम बनता है |

 

शिक्षण पाठ्य को हम तीन स्तरों में बांट सकते हैं :-

1. स्मृति स्तर (Memory Level)

2. बोध स्तर (Understanding Level)

3. चिंतन स्तर (Reflective Level)

 

स्मृति स्तर

 

 स्मृति स्तर में ऐसी परिस्थितियां उत्पन्न की जाती है, जिससे छात्र पढ़ाई की विषय वस्तु को (Content) आत्मसात कर सकें । इस स्तर पर प्रत्यास्मरण क्रिया पर जोर दिया जाता है । स्मृति शिक्षण में संकेत अधिगम (Signal Learning), शृंखला अधिगम (Chain Learning) पर महत्व दिया जाता है ।

 

बोध स्तर पर शिक्षण

 

बोध स्तर के शिक्षण में शिक्षक छात्रों के समक्ष पाठ्यवस्तु को इस प्रकार प्रस्तुत करता है कि छात्रों को बोध के लिए अधिक से अधिक अवसर मिले और छात्रों में आवश्यक सूझबूझ उत्पन्न हो। इस प्रकार के शिक्षण में छात्रों की सहभागिता बनी रहती है । यह शिक्षण उद्देश्य केन्द्रीय तथा सूझबूझ से युक्त होता है।

 

चिन्तन स्तर पर शिक्षण

 

चिंतन स्तर में शिक्षक अपने छात्रों में चिंतन तर्क तथा कल्पना शक्ति को बढ़ाता है ताकि छात्र दोनों के माध्यम से अपनी समस्याओं का समाधान कर सके । चिंतन स्तर पर शिक्षण समस्या केंद्रित होता है । इस स्तर में अध्यापक बच्चों के सामने समस्या उत्पन्न करता है और बच्चों को उस पर अपने स्वतंत्र चिंतन करने का समय देता है । इस स्तर में बच्चों में आलोचनात्मक तथा मौलिक चिंतन उत्पन्न होता है।

 

डिजिटल शिक्षा अथवा स्मार्ट बोर्ड कम्प्यूटर आधारति शिक्षा प्रणाली  के प्रति नयी राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति 2020 का समर्थन

 

नयी राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति 2020 मे शिक्षा क्रांति का दावा सम्मिलित है। इसमें पाठ्य-पुस्तकों का बोझ कम करके पढ़ाई को अधिक से अधिक प्रयोगात्मक बनाने की बात कही गयी है। यह सर्वविदित तथ्य है कि जिस शिक्षा पद्धति को यह नीति विकसित करना चाहती है उसमें सर्वाधिक सहायक ऑनलाइन शिक्षण प्रणाली ही हो सकती है। सतत विकास के चौथे लक्ष्य “गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा”, जिसमें समावेशी व न्यायसंगत गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा को सुनिश्चित करने का लक्ष्य है, की वास्तविक प्राप्ति सभी वर्गों को शिक्षण प्रक्रिया में शामिल किये बिना संभव नहीं हो सकती। चूंकि ऑनलाइन शिक्षण व्यवस्था में बिना किसी बाधा के हर आयु और वर्ग को सम्मिलित किये जा सकने की संभावना है, इसलिए यही एसडीजी-4 का सर्वोत्तम साधन परिलक्षित होती है।

 

सर्वसुलभ होने के साथ-साथ कुछ और बिन्दु ऑनलाइन शिक्षण प्रणाली के महत्व को उजागर करते हैं, जैसे इसकी लागत कम होना, परंपरागत कक्षाओं से अधिक शिक्षार्थियों को एक साथ सम्मिलित कर सकना, अधिक दृश्य-श्रव्य सामग्री के उपयोग की सुविधा, कईं शिक्षकों द्वारा एक ही मंच पर एक साथ बहुपक्षीय संवाद की सुविधा, वस्तुनिष्ठ ऑनलाइन परीक्षाओं की सुविधा,  ई-लर्निंग के स्रोत जैसे स्वयं, स्वयंप्रभा, ज्ञानदर्शन आदि के विकास के साथ अनेक ऑनलाइन कोर्स, शोधपत्र, ईबुक्स की उपलब्धता आदि।

 

परंपरागत शिक्षा पद्धति कोई आलोचना का विषय नहीं है। यह पद्धति धीरे-धीरे तकनीकों का सहारा लेकर अपने अस्तित्व को पुनः कायम कर लिया है |

 

परिवर्तन यदि समाज के लाभ के लिए हो रहा है तो उसे न स्वीकारना, समाज के विकास में बाधक बनना है। यही स्थिति ऑनलाइन शिक्षण प्रणाली के आलोचकों की भी है, जो किन्हीं व्यक्तिगत कारणों या पूर्वधारणाओं के कारण इसके महत्व को अनदेखा करना चाहते हैं। शिक्षा के व्यापक उद्देश्यों- ज्ञान सृजन, ज्ञान का प्रसार तथा ज्ञान का सरक्षण- तीनों को ही प्राप्त करने मे ऑनलाइन शिक्षण प्रणाली का विशेष महत्व है और इसका लचीलापन इसे और अधिक उपयोगी बना देता है।

 

इस प्रकार से परम्परागत शिक्षा अपने प्राचीन स्वरूप को आधुनिक तकनीकी शिक्षा के डिजिटल माध्यमो के द्वारा वापसी किया है | और शिक्षा मौखिक या व्यवहारिक रूप में विद्यार्थी के अधिगम स्तर में वृधि और स्मरण शक्ति को सुद्रढ़ करने , स्वावलंबन तथा किसी भी परिस्थिति में अपने पैरो पर खड़ा होने की क्षमताओ के विकास पर बल दे रही है |

Categories
Partners In Change

Effective Fundraising Training by Change the Game Academy

Effective Fundraising Training by Change the Game Academy

Change the Game Academy is training social entrepreneurs to turn them into changemakers and better leaders for tomorrow. The Virtual Classroom on Local Fundraising focuses on effective fundraising training for non-profits. It will also teach the social entrepreneurs the importance of support and funding base to ensure long-term sustainability.

 

About the training

 

The association with Light for the World (LfW) began with a Leaders’ Workshop on 18 October 2021. The participants consist of five Indian partners of LfW. This training will help these leaders to acquire knowledge and skills to diversify their resource and support base. It will also help them understand how they can achieve credibility and sustainability by developing local fundraising event plans.

 

The  Virtual Classroom Course on Local Fundraising began with a Leaders’ Workshop on 18 October 2021. The focus was to help them understand the importance of local fundraising. In today’s scenario, it is important to learn how to develop fundraising ideas.  In the days to come, it is going to become crucial for the non-profit sector to increase their support and funding base. This can help them move towards sustainability and bringing change at the grassroot level.

 

A five-day training session from 25-29 October 2021 will be held.

 

Objective of the LFR Training

 

This Virtual Classroom Course on Local Fundraising is being organised for social entrepreneurs. These are endeavoring partners working to bring change at the grassroots level. They are using community welfare initiatives in different parts of the country. This training on LFR is meant for those who lead grassroots initiatives. It will help these entrepreneurs understand the importance and usefulness of local fundraising initiatives.

 

There many sustainable ways of raising funds. Effective communication, strong leadership, good governance, transparency and accountability are some of these ways, which will taught over the course of the training.

 

At the end of the course, participants will be able to assess their learning level on the subject and lay down their expectations for future action. The course will help them to enhance their learning on the subject and to inculcate the skill set to apply their learning. CtGA will also help them draw up a tentative local fundraising plan, which will be relevant to their area, nature, and context of work.

 

The partners receiving fundraising training

 

The five partners in the programme all belong to the North-East region of India. Each of these partners work in various arenas of social development at the grassroots level.

 

Shishu Sarothi

 

Shishu Sarothi had modest beginnings in 1987. There were just two children, a trained professional, and a small group of parents and volunteers. Over the last three decades, it has become a leading regional institution. They now serve thousands of children with disabilities from North-East India and beyond. Along the way, it has managed to strike a successful balance between service delivery and a rights-based approach to disability. The core services of the organisation include the domains of health and education and advocacy of rights of persons with disabilities.

 

Bethany Society

 

Bethany Society (BS) is a non-profit, secular, charitable society founded in 1981 in the state of Meghalaya. The organisation’s vision is to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable sections of society. There is special focus on those residing in remote rural communities. They form partnerships with people and communities in order to create opportunities which empower and lead to security of health, food, livelihoods and shelter.

 

They work on collaborative projects with like-minded NGOs and government agencies for greater impact. Formation of village-level self-help and advocacy groups, working to create livelihoods, and innovations in climate-resilient technologies are part of their grassroots work. Their programmes are organised across 600 villages in Meghalaya with hubs in Shillong and Tura.

 

Bosco Reach Out

 

Bosco Reach Out (BRO) is the official social development organization of the Salesians of

Don Bosco, Guwahati. Since its foundation in 1983, it has undertaken various programmes, particularly in community development.  Their interventions in rural development activities concentrate on forming and empowering self-help groups (SHGs).

 

BRO visualizes a self-sustaining, self-reliant, and dignified community where people live responsibly, striving for a just, equal, and harmonious society. They seek to achieve integrated development through empowerment of people by enabling them to build people’s organizations and enhancing their capacities to utilize their resources.

 

Franciscan Clarist Congregation

 

They work in the Bongaigaon district of Assam running a residential cum day-care center for children. They run the only school in the district for children with disabilities. Their programmes work towards social inclusion and mainstreaming of disabled children in the community and enable them to fight for their rights and entitlements. They also provide various interventions for home-based rehabilitation support and therapeutic interventions and training opportunities for income generation to support themselves and their families. All these programmes are carried out with the objective of helping them make their own futures.

 

Caritas India CBR

 

The CBR Forum is based in Bangalore. It has emerged from a small organisation in 1996 with a few

projects to a big centre for CBR. It has now been fully integrated with Caritas India. This organization works for the rehabilitation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in rural India. CI-CBR sensitizes the local communities towards persons with disabilities and their families. It plays an active role in facilitating their inclusion in the daily life of the community.

Categories
In The Spotlight

Vocational Training to Empower Adolescent Girls

Vocational Training to Empower Adolescent Girls

Vocational training by Smile Foundation: Project Manzil

 

Vocational training is an important way in which one can improve their future. This is especially true for girls. Many parents and girls from smaller towns are skeptical about professional training and going to work in big professions and companies. However, they do have dreams for their future, of being independent and free. Smile Foundation’s Manzil project in partnership with IPE Global is helping thousands of such girls from Rajasthan gain vocational and on-the-job training (OJT). The project also seeks to retain girls in school and reduce drop-out rates.

 

We have already benefitted a number of girls under the project. Here are some of their stories.

 

Rajni

Rajni is receiving vocational training from Smile Foundation
Rajni is receiving vocational training from Smile Foundation

Rajni belongs to a very poor family of Rajasthan. She is one of four siblings, all still studying. Her father died a few years back and now her mother is the only earning member of the family. She works very hard as a domestic helper in other people’s homes. However, taking care of four children and ensuring they get a proper education is no mean feat.

Rajni is a bright girl who has completed her schooling in 2021. Despite her meagre means and circumstances, she scored 93.16% in her boards. She is now pursuing her bachelors degree, but given her situation, she is eager to learn skills and become more employable.

The Manzil program has helped Rajni embark on her path to success. As she wanted to gain vocational training in a lucrative sector while she continues her studies, she enrolled in the online classes for healthcare training.

She learnt a plethora of skills through the Just Learn App under Manzil Parijona. Eager to learn more, the young women expressed her desire for OJT at a hospital. Smile Foundation facilitated 15 days of OJT for Rajni at a hospital, which she has completed with flying colours.

The training has done wonders for Rajni’s self-confidence. She is now confident that she can work as a General Duty Assistant (GDA) at any hospital.

In future, she aspires to join the Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS).

 

Farah

 

Farah resides in Bhinay village of Ajmer district with her family in a rental accomodation. Her family belongs to a very humble background. Farah’s father has only studied up to 5th standard and her mother is illiterate. Her younger brother has dropped out of school after class 8 and now works as a plumber to contribute to the family income. As far back as they can remember, Farah’s family has relied on daily wages and manual labour to earn a living. However, she wants to break this chain and create a stable future for herself.

Farah is also getting vocational training under the Manzil Project
Farah is also getting vocational training under the Manzil Project

 

Farah’s journey to Smile Foundation’s Manzil program

 

After completing her 12th standard, Farah enrolled for a bachelors degree. However, her family was unable to pay the fees. Hence, she had to opt out of the course and she has lost at least one year of her education. She started helping her mother make lace at home. It takes Farah and her mother almost the entire day to prepare 1 lace, and they get the measly sum of Rs 20 for per lace.

 

Farah has an interest in the healthcare sector, and she is enthusiastic about working in the sector. A counselling session organised by Manzil at Bhinay Vidyalaya made her aware about the online training sessions. As a result, she was soon enrolled in the program.

 

Trained for the future

 

After joining the Manzil program, Farah received OJT at Getwell Hospital in Vaishali Nagar. She proved to be an enthusiastic learner; her behavior and passion were appreciated by the hospital staff. Farah now plans to continue her studies and has enrolled in the bachelors course again. Eventually, her dream is to pursue her career in the health sector and support her family financially.

 

“By joining life skill classes, I found my confidence and the earlier hesitation has gone away. I have never gone out of the house alone, but now I go to the hospital alone every day. My fear of doing things alone has gone. I also have the confidence to speak openly now,” she shares.

Categories
Insights

Digital Education during the Pandemic

Digital Education during the Pandemic

COVID-19 has impacted all areas of life globally and created various issues and problems. People have been forced to accept the uncertainty. The ‘new normal’ was everywhere. Many people lost their near and dear ones. Beyond the staggering impact on human life, the pandemic has disrupted the access to education as well. The research says that more than 168 million school-going children across the world have been forced to stay at home as their schools have been closed for over a year. This is where digital education during the pandemic has shown its importance. The pandemic forced education departments and school managements to find innovative and practical approaches to continue teaching and learning.

 

Digital education: The new alternative

 

The unprecedented situation has provided an opportunity to discover new and alternate ways of teaching. Children from privileged classes had access to digital devices. They remained in touch with their teachers, classmates, and the school, and were able to continue their education. The same is not true for underprivileged and vulnerable children. Their access to to digital education is limited or non-existent due to financial crisis.

 

When the mode of learning and teaching went virtual, some children kept learning by watching education channels on television etc. Academic facilitators of Smile Foundation also went to homes of students and took classes there, with strict adherence to COVID guidelines. When the relaxation was announced by the government, some children from rural areas were able to start attending cluster classes along with digital classes.

 

In Tamil Nadu, for instance, students of government schools tend to follow rote learning instead of concept-based learning. But during COVID-19, the teachers have created WhatsApp groups to circulate the syllabus and content. Learning videos are also shared on these groups. This is also true for schools (private and government) in many other states.

 

This method has had a positive impact on many students. They were able to focus more due to concept-based video learning. In a way, digital education has helped children come out from the rut of rote learning to concept-based learning.

 

Spreading awareness through Shiksha Na Ruke

 

Even amid the pandemic, we have been educating children as well as parents through our Shiksha Na Ruke campaign. Counselling parents as well as children is an important aspect of our work on the ground. Through our WASH programme, we are creating awareness. These are effective in preventing COVID-19 infection as well as for the overall health and nutrition of the child.

 

Through our Mission Education programme we are not only focusing on children’s learning ability but also concentrating as holistic development. We are using the children as change agents and reaching their parents and the society.

 

Effect of digital education on nutrition

 

Regular hand washing is the effective proven method to prevent coronavirus infection. Maintaining social distance also helps reduce the risk of contracting the virus. However, diet and nutrition also play a major role during the pandemic.

 

Due to school closures, many children lost their access to mid-day meals. These meals were a major source of healthy nutrition for children from vulnerable sections of society. They were assured of at least one good meal a day even during financial woes at home. The pandemic threatened this severely as millions of children lost out on this meal, and thus on nutrition. While the government and civil society organisations have been making efforts to ensure that children are able to avail of this facility, there are still many gaps that need to be filled on this front.

 

Nutrition is intricately linked to immunity and to the risk and severity of infections. Individuals who are poorly nourished are at a greater risk of various bacterial, viral, and other infections. Chronic or severe infections can also lead to nutritional disorders or worsen one’s nutritional status. Therefore, paying attention to diet and nutrition are imperative during the pandemic.

 

During COVID-19, most of our supported beneficiaries’ parents lost their jobs. It was a tough time for them to survive especially in urban area. The pandemic crisis affect diets primarily through declining access to vegetables, fruits, and essential provisions. As part of our remedial programme, we have distributed dry ration kits to our supported beneficiaries at various locations to keep our beneficiaries stable and healthy. 

Categories
In The Spotlight

‘Want Youngsters To Be Inspired’: Ravi Dahiya Teams Up with Shiksha Na Ruke by Smile Foundation

‘Want Youngsters To Be Inspired’: Ravi Dahiya Teams Up with Shiksha Na Ruke by Smile Foundation

Meeting an Olympian is a dream for millions of youth across the world. Thus, when Olympic medal winner Ravi Dahiya decided to visit a Mission Education centre to meet the children studying there, their joy knew no bounds.

 

To support the education of underprivileged children, Ravi Dahiya has teamed up with Shiksha Na Ruke campaign by Smile Foundation. This campaign was developed to help those children who lost their access to education during the pandemic. It uses the blended learning approach to ensure that education continues for the most vulnerable children of our country.

 

Ravi Dahiya teams up with Shiksha Na Ruke

 

Ravi Dahiya interacting with Shiksha Na Ruke students
Ravi Dahiya interacting with Shiksha Na Ruke students

The silver medalist visited one of Smile Foundation’s centres to interact with the children studying there. During his visit, he shared his personal experiences of his journey from a village in Haryana to the Olympic medal in Tokyo. He explained how he battled resource constraint and other difficulties in his quest for excellence. Dahiya shared that unflinching support from his parents was the vital ingredient for his success.

 

The underprivileged children studying at the Smile centres have all been deeply affected by the pandemic. Their education has come to a grinding halt as they do not have access to gadgets such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. ‘Smile Foundation came up with the campaign called “Shiksha Na Ruke” so that all children can continue to dream,’ Dahiya said at the event.

 

By joining hands with Shiksha Na Ruke, Ravi Dahiya has requested his fans to contribute to the campaign. ‘Please support underprivileged children by funding their education and contribute in providing them devices for uninterrupted digital education,’ he added.

Ravi Dahiya teams up with Shiksha Na Ruke
Ravi Dahiya teams up with Shiksha Na Ruke

Of course, being a professional sportsperson himself, he also understands the importance of sports and holistic development for a child. “I would like to encourage children to start playing a sport. This can help them make a name and strong future for themselves. I would urge people to come forward and help in every possible way so that each child can attend classes and study without difficulty.’

 

Why Shiksha Na Ruke

 

Ravi Dahiya has teamed up with Shiksha Na Ruke to support this cause. ‘I hope this campaign will help in increasing awareness about the problems faced by underprivileged children who lack facilities for online education. Through this, I hope to motivate these children to face up to the challenges caused by the pandemic. I want youngsters to be inspired,’ Dahiya said about his association with Shiksha Na Ruke.

 

Under Shiksha Na Ruke, Smile Foundation provides tools for online education to underprivileged children. This includes smartphones and tablets, as well as data packs. It also creates educational content for delivery through radio, television, and door-to-door visits by its volunteers.

 

Moreover, Smile also trains teachers for the dynamic digital learning environment and counsels parents to ensure children’s active participation. Additionally, Smile Foundation runs helplines to deliver one-on-one mentoring sessions to children to keep them engaged.

Categories
In The Spotlight

International Day of the Girl Child : Digital Generation, Our Generation

International Day of the Girl Child : Digital Generation, Our Generation

October 11 is celebrated as International Day of the Girl Child. The idea behind the day of awareness is to spread awareness about the importance of nurturing girls globally.

 

This day for celebrating the girl child is also important to make people about the need for equality between the sexes. This includes areas and issues such as access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination.

 

International Day of the Girl Child is also important in the world movement for women’s equal rights. Only girls who are empowered and educated today can become fruitful contributors tomorrow in the public and private spheres.

 

History of the day

 

International Day of the Girl Child was first observed in 2012. It emerged from a project of international non-governmental organization Plan International. The organization first began with their ‘Because I am Girl’ campaign for raising awareness around issues faced by girls globally.

 

It was decided that October 11 would be celebrated as International Day of Girl Child on December 19, 2011, at the United Nations General Assembly in Canada.

 

Theme for International Day of Girl Child 2021

 

For 2021, the theme is ‘Digital generation. Our generation’. The UN decides the theme for each year.

 

On the occasion this year, the UN explained about the theme. ‘Girls know their digital realities and the solutions they need to excel on their diverse pathways as technologists for freedom of expression, joy, and boundless potential. Let’s amplify the diversity of these tech trailblazers while simultaneously widening the pathways so that every girl, this generation of girls – regardless of race, gender, language, ability, economic status and geographic origin – lives their full potential.’

 

Why we need to celebrate girls

 

International Day of the Girl Child is important because it brings the challenges that girls face in today’s world to the forefront. This is simply an occasion to discuss these issues in the mainstream.

 

For millions of girls in India, access to education, health care, nutrition, and safety are still far-fetched dreams. This is true for women and girls in other developing countries as well. Awareness and information about these problems faced by girls worldwide is vital to the path towards gender equality.

 

A girl child has the same expectations, dreams, and aspirations as a boy. However, for girls, the way towards achieving these is much more challenging. Society has set different rules for girls and boys. As a result, girls can miss out on a lot of things such as education. Moreover, they also face mental, emotional, and physical impacts of this kind of discrimination.

 

Smile Foundation’s ‘She Can Fly’ campaign is an attempt to enable and empower girl children with quality education, proper nutrition, good health, and a sense of self-confidence. A girl needs all this to live life to its full potential.

 

This campaign is also a step towards sensitizing civil society at large. It aims to help create a girl child/women friendly society to help her thrive. It is the responsibility of each one of us to ensure that we are moving towards a future that is equal, safe, and prosperous for girls.

 

To empower the world, we need to empower the girl child first!

Categories
Insights

Promising Developments for Sustainable Livelihoods in the Next Decade

Promising Developments for Sustainable Livelihood Programmes in the Next Decade

Social entrepreneurs in India, such as Smile Foundation’s Santanu Mishra, are exploring innovative ways to empower people to solve their problems. They are driving the developments for sustainable livelihoods. By building sustainable livelihoods, they are making room for more people to lead in their own communities.

 

The future appears bleak as COVID-19 affects millions of livelihoods in India. As of May 2020, according to projections, 104 million additional people in India could slip below the poverty line in the worst-case scenario.

 

Migrant labourers in the country report missing one to three weeks of work, resulting in an income loss of INR 4,000-10,000 per person (approx. USD 50-130).

 

A livelihood is considered “sustainable” when it can provide a stable, dignified way of life even during times of crisis and change without jeopardizing the natural resource base.

 

One thing is certain: the human population in the next decade will be significantly larger than it is now. Despite the fact that global population growth is slowing, the world’s population could reach 9-10 billion people. And because this is going to put a strain on our existing natural resources, new sustainable modes of livelihood become more vital than ever.

 

While the challenges of our new reality are daunting, we have seen hints of success in recent years that can continue through into the post-pandemic future.

 

It has thus become important to talk about the favourable trends which are emerging for establishing sustainable lifestyles. Here are the top five that could leave an impact over the next decade.

 

Women are taking more responsibility for their finances

 

The last year, defined by the COVID-19 crisis and uncertainty, has brought financial issues to the forefront of women’s minds. As a result, a majority of them are now taking responsibility for their own finances. According to one survey, 60 % women agree that taking control of their money and financial destiny is the path to confidence. As a result, despite admitting to being risk averse, women are actively participating in financial planning decisions and investing more.

 

Social entrepreneurs providing innovative solutions to develop sustainable livelihoods

 

In light of the pandemic, various foundations have issued requests for collaboration on solutions with social entrepreneurs. Some have pledged to ease or abolish restrictions on current grants, contribute to disaster response money, and assist grantees in bringing about employee-related policy reforms. This opens up new opportunities for social entrepreneurs to innovate.

 

Social entrepreneurs are crucial change agents in producing solutions as aren’t in this for monetary gains. They work with people and have a more people-centric and holistic approach.

 

For instance, Smile Foundation, under the leadership of Santanu Mishra, has been innovating in all its programmes. Since the pandemic began, they have also adapted all their programmes to incorporate COVID-related relief work as well.

 

Use of technology to create novel solutions

 

Markets and market dynamics are greatly influenced by new technology. This has always been the case. However, in the digital era, as well as due to the COVID pandemic, it is happening quicker than before. We have seen how digital technology has impacted a variety of markets over the previous few decades. Streaming of content has affected the entertainment industry as a whole. Social networking has completely transformed the media industry.

 

Let us now look at 5G technologies. As 5G becomes a commercial reality, numerous new capabilities and opportunities arise. These include network slicing, ultra-low latency, lightening fast speeds, and high reliability, to name a few. And these capabilities are enabling a slew of new applications, ranging from remote control of vehicles in a mine to minuscule sensors with a 10-year battery life. These technological qualities will disrupt the current logic of many businesses. Also, it will open up new markets for those who see the possibilities, thus opening up new employment opportunities.

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another technology field that will create new markets and market niches across a wide range of industries.

 

Beneficiaries taking an active role in policy-making

 

The pandemic has shone a spotlight on policy-making. According to a PWC analysis, when stakeholders are not involved in the policy-making process, policies and initiatives often fail. Social entrepreneurs have demonstrated the importance of involving everyone in the solution.

 

Sajida Rahman Danny, who created the Parents Forum for the Differently Abled (PFDA) in Bangladesh, says, “When we first started our work, legislators barely interacted with organizations like us to receive comments or ask for participation in the creation of any regulations. There is an ongoing debate (with us) regarding the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace,” she says, adding that “the government is also establishing regulations to promote this.”

 

In the coming years, the role of governments will change such that more information is gathered from people and organisations in order to properly comprehend the problem.

 

Village-level entrepreneurs developing new business models

 

How can we use resources in a more sustainable manner? In the foreseeable future, a larger dispute will emerge at the micro-level, at the village level. Climate change and natural resource use will be taken seriously at these levels since they will be facing the brunt of the consequences and will be more aware of them.

 

Here, social entrepreneurs will play a crucial role in fostering a better knowledge of the problem based on its regional and cultural context. They will also be able to co-create models that are contextually appropriate. In this manner, we can move beyond the trap of developing a single model for all.

 

We will require a transparent structure that works in tandem with many communities. More inventive models that handle specific problems beginning with communities themselves will emerge in the coming years.

 

What will be the implications of these developments for sustainable livelihoods?

 

Social entrepreneurs in India are finding innovative methods to empower individuals to tackle problems in their lives. They are creating room for more individuals to lead in their own communities by building sustainable livelihoods.

 

These long-term tendencies are a sign of hope for a society where everyone can be a changemaker throughout any global crisis.

Categories
In The Spotlight

Smile Foundation and Big FM partner up for Shiksha Na Ruke

Smile Foundation and Big FM partner up for Shiksha Na Ruke

Digital technology and the Internet have taken over all aspects of our lives. Despite this, radio still remains the go-to medium for the masses. It is easily accessible in urban as well as rural areas. Thus, Smile Foundation and Big FM have partnered up to spread the word about the Shiksha Na Ruke campaign.

 

Over the next few weeks, Big FM and their RJs will be doing their part for this noble cause. Beneficiaries of the programme as well as our own COVID warriors will also be sharing their stories and experiences through the medium of Big FM. Their RJs across various different cities will share these endearing stories with listeners.

 

Big FM RJs have been engaging with the <a href=
Shiksha Na Ruke campaign on their shows.” width=”750″ height=”244″ /> Big FM RJs have been engaging with the Shiksha Na Ruke campaign on their shows.

 

Association of Smile Foundation and Big FM for Shiksha Na Ruke

 

Did you know that nearly 60 per cent children in India do not have access to smart phones? With schools being closed, no Internet, and no online classes, how are these children continuing their education?

 

Schools are slowly reopening in phases after almost a year and a half. But the question still remains. How will these children get back to school? Will they be forced to drop out and return to the dreaded reality of child labour and early marriage? Staying at home can possibly lead to a huge learning gap for children who are still not able to access education. Currently, many state governments are still hesitant to open the schools. Thus, there is a certain air of uncertainty around the education and future of millions of vulnerable children.

 

Through the Shiksha Na Ruke campaign, we are following a blended mode of learning. We are also creating customized solutions for individual children with special requirements. Teachers are using smartphone-based app-learning modules, cable-based television learning programmes, one-on-one mentoring, home visits, cluster learning sessions, projector-based learning, and many other methods to ensure seamless education for children. The campaign seeks to provide education during the pandemic to children even in the remotest villages of India.

 

Our key interventions

 

Provision of smartphones and tablets for deprived children

Alternate learning mediums – curating educational content for radio, TV, door-to-door visits

Teacher training – To train them for the dynamic digital learning environment

Regular counseling of parents to ensure children’s participation

Ensuring mental well-being – Helpline services and one-on-one monitoring sessions for children to keep them engaged

 

As part of the campaign, we are also training teachers to adapt to the new digital environment. At the same time, parents are being counseled regularly on how they can support their children’s education. Along with this, value education lessons are also being conducted for the overall development of the children.

 

You can tune in to Big FM to learn more about the campaign and the people associated with it. You can show your support here.

0%