Children from Mission Education centres across India had a gala time on Children's Day and celebrated the day in its true spirit with a mélange of colourful and fun activities.

In Mumbai, the kids were invited to be part of a television show 'Celeb with a Cause', on premiere entertainment channel Zoom. On the show they met renowned Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and interacted with him about their dreams and aspirations. Ajay motivated the children to continue with their education while also cherishing their dreams.

Children from the Goregaon Mission Education centre were treated to an enriching storytelling session, conducted by Neelesh Misra, popular for his show 'Yaadon Ka Idiotbox', on 92.7 Big FM.

Children from another centre in Mumbai visited OYE FM's radio station to meet their favourite animated character, Chhota Bheem. They also recorded some interesting bits of conversation with Chhota Bheem, which were broadcasted on the radio channel.

Mr. Ajay Khanna, Country Head, Herbalife, Ms. Smita Kalappa, National Director (CFC), Smile Foundation & Additional DGP, Ms. Sri Lakshmi Prasad launch the 2nd phase of Casa Herbalife

Smile Foundation children in Kolkata and Mumbai joined forces with NDTV in support of the latter's national level campaign, 'Our Girls Our Pride' to sensitize the civil society towards the cause of girl children.

A painting event was organized on October 26, as part of the campaign. The idea was to create murals/wall paintings with various artists participating in the event. Simultaneously, there was a drawing competition for the children on the theme 'Our Girls Our Pride'.

More than 150 children from Mission Education centres in Kolkata and Mumbai participated in the competition, depicting the theme through drawings ranging from school going girls to illustrations of Durga.

Bollywood actress Isha Koppikar celebrated her birthday with a difference, choosing to spend the day with Smile Foundation children in Mumbai. The children were equally excited to be with “Isha didi”. They had got a cake, card and flowers to wish her. Isha was moved by this simple gesture and indulged them with games, little gifts and chocolates.

Expressing her joyous feeling, after cake cutting ceremony, Isha said, “The feeling of making these children happy even for a day brings fulfilment in my heart. Because it is each child's right to live their life basking in happiness and joys, without worrying about anything but just being happy and being kids. But unfortunately these children have seen the bitter side of life too early and I feel honoured to be able to make a positive difference in their life and bring them some hope and joy.”

For children from Mission Education centre near Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, Christmas was ushered in a couple of days earlier, by Air France KLM. Employees from Air France-KLM donned the Santa cap and celebrated Christmas with the kids, in the true festive spirit, spreading smiles and cheer.

The children at the centre had written their wishes on cards which were put up on a Christmas tree at Air France-KLM's office. Each employee picked up a wish and made them come true for the kids with not a single wish remaining unpicked.

On December 23, the employees visited the centre and personally gave the gifts to the children. They interacted with the kids, danced, sang and had a lot of fun. The children's joy knew no bounds as all their wishes got fulfilled.

Dignitaries from different walks of life joined hands at a mega fundraising cum sensitization event, 'Dine to Make Childhood Shine' at Terra Mayaa, a premiere restaurant in Guwahati, Assam, to support the education of underprivileged children at Mission Education UTSAH centre in Hafiznagar slum area.

The event, held on October 4, was celebrated as part of the Joy of Giving Week. The highlight of the event was a dance recital by children from the Mission Education centre, who had relentlessly prepared for two weeks under volunteers to deliver a flawless performance. This was followed by a gala dinner for the guests.

Dy. Commissioner, Kamrup Metro, Ashutosh Agnihotri; members of the Assamese film fraternity, Zerifa Wahed, Nishita Goswami, Kopil Bora, Diganta Hazarika and eminent personalities like Dipannita Jaiswal, Anurag Singh, Garima Saikai Garg and Florence Handique Rabha, attended the event besides Juhi Saboo Singh, co-founder, Terra Mayaa and representatives from UTSAH.

Smile Foundation conducted a two-day free residential capacity building programme 'Empowering Grassroots' for community based grassroots organizations in Mumbai, from December 11-12.

25 select organizations participated in the programme which was focused on building the capacities of grassroots NGOs, keeping in mind the CSR mandate under the Companies Acts 2013 and the giving opportunity having emerged with the growing middle class of India.

Local fundraising for project management, communication and sustainability, good governance for organizational development and strengthening, building organisational competencies through 5-C model were among major sessions conducted by various subject experts, trainers and guest faculty.

In the last two years, Smile Foundation has built capacities of 500 grassroots organisations across India, under the Empowering Grassroots programme.

Mr Vikram Singh Verma, COO Smile Foundation receiving the IPE Corporate Excellence Award at a ceremony at Taj Land Ends, in Mumbai

Smile Foundation was conferred with the Education Excellence Award 2013, by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries (ASSOCHAM) and The Education Post. The awards also felicitated Smile Foundation with the certificate of 'Leader in Social Venture Philanthropy in Child Education.'

Smile Foundation was also presented the Corporate Excellence Award for NGO Excellence. The Awards have been instituted by the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE); a Hyderabad based non-profit educational society, endorsed by World CSR Day and Asian Confederation of Business.

Smile Foundation participated for the fourth time in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on December 15, as a “Change Runner” to raise resources for the education of underprivileged children. Blackrock India, Amtek Auto Ltd. and Yum! Restaurants India joined Smile Foundation in championing the cause of Child Education. Their association will also ensure quality education for 130 underprivileged children, through Smile Foundation's Mission Education programme.

The over fifty member strong Smile team including employees from Blackrock, Amtek and Yum! ran for 6kms. as part of the Great Delhi Run, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

Hyatt is celebrating the completion of 30 years in India along with Smile Foundation, with a series of art shows in an endeavour to help raise funds for the education of underprivileged children. Titled ‘Smile with Hyatt,’ the series will showcase affordable artworks by 30 of India’s leading contemporary artists.
The first show was organised in Mumbai in December, which has helped induct 167 children into Mission Education programme. It included works by leading Indian artists such as Anjolie Ela Menon, Jatin Das, Seema Kohli, and JMS Mani among others.

In tandem with the art shows, Hyatt employees from seven hotels – Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Hyatt Regency Pune, Park Hyatt Goa, Hyatt Amritsar, Hyatt Regency Chennai and Hyatt Pune, participated in an internal giving campaign for Smile Foundation called “30 days of Giving”, over the Christmas holidays.

Hyatt is also directly supporting the education of 300 underprivileged children at Mission Education centres across India.

Kannada superstar Upendra celebrated his 45th birthday with Smile Foundation kids in Bangalore.

The children extended their best wishes to Upendra and danced with him after the cake cutting ceremony along with the actor's family and friends.

Upendra and his wife Priyanka announced their philanthropic venture for the benefit of the girl child, during the occasion. The event was attended by eminent personalities from the world of cinema, corporate and media.

Yum! Brands, Inc. has brought its global World Hunger Relief (WHR) campaign to India along with Smile Foundation, in the form of 'Hunger to Hope Kitchen'.

The campaign was kick started at a KFC outlet in Delhi on September 18, in the presence of Mr. Niren Chaudhary, President, Yum! Restaurants India; Mr. Vikram Singh Verma, COO, Smile Foundation and Bollywood actor Sharman Joshi.

Yum!'s contribution over the next one year will cater to the nutritional needs of more than 2,000 underprivileged children, under Smile Foundation's Mission Education programme.

Sharman also visited the Mission Education programme's Health and Care centre at Shri Ram J.J. Camp in Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, to interact with the child beneficiaries. He encouraged the kids to get education before doing anything else in life and also matched steps with the children on a song they had prepared specially for him.

International celebrity dancer, Bollywood actor and first runner up of dance show Jhalak Dikhla Ja, Lauren Gottlieb, joined Smile Foundation's children in Mumbai by becoming their “Special Santa”.

Delighted to be amongst the kids, Lauren expressed, “It is my first Christmas away from my family. I am missing my home and people very much so this is best way to celebrate Christmas, amongst these children. With their innocence, warmth and smile I am feel like I am a part of their family. It feels great to be associated with Smile Foundation and be a reason for these kids to Smile.”

Smiling in her red Santa cap, Lauren did a cake cutting with the kids and also distributed Christmas gifts to them. She also tapped feet with the kids on a track from her movie.

Mantri S.E.V.A along with Smile Foundation did a sensitization drive for their employees to promote a responsible attitude towards environment. The celebrations were held at their corporate office by conducting an employee engagement activity as part of which a table top plant was gifted to all Mantri employees.

A graffiti wall was placed at various Mantri properties where people wrote their resolutions and pledged to Go Green. Flower themed paintings were exhibited and put for sale online, as well as at the Mantri Mall; the proceeds for which went towards supporting the education of underprivileged children, under Smile Foundation's Mission Education programme.

The “green” concept was promoted further by following a green dress code and food menu. Employees were also engaged in the task of creating something useful out of waste materials, to encourage recycling of resources.