Smile Foundation: Underprivileged Youth at CWG

The ongoing Commonwealth Games, one of the biggest sporting events hosted by India have been criticised and condemned in news for all the wrong reasons. Finally, as the games proceed smoothly with an impeccable opening ceremony, India has left the entire world awestruck and appreciative of its cultural marvels. Then again, many ‘clean-up’ drives in Delhi in the days that led up to the CWG have led to the poor being displaced. Recognizing that the underprivileged too have a share in this ‘common wealth’ of our nation, Smile Foundation has given the economically backward youth an equal opportunity to share the CWG mania.

On the fifth day of the games, the under-privileged youth from the capital city were united to witness the mega event. Smile Foundation beneficiaries were given the perfect platform to be a part of this most awaited sports event. Overcoming the stark disparities of our social structures, the move has helped young Smile beneficiaries to share the excitement of the nation in its true spirit. Santanu Mishra, Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation comments, “It’s a great opportunity for the under privileged community to be a part of this mega event. This gesture has given them a platform to be a part of the greatest celebration of sports in India ever. It will be an unforgettable experience for the underprivileged community which they will cherish for life.”

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What has made this possible? Support from the Organizing Committee played the key role. Mishra further added, “It’s a great gesture by the Organizing Committee to give the under privileged community a chance to experience this mega event.”

About Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation reaching out to more than 100,000 underprivileged children and youth across 22 states of India through more than 130 welfare projects on subjects like education, healthcare, livelihood, women empowerment, and advocacy. Smile Foundation promotes and catalyses universal education among underprivileged children, thereby creating a process to embrace these children into mainstream in a sustained manner, thus facilitating them to emerge as productive assets, and set the foundation for nation building.

Smile Foundation formed in 2002 by a group of corporate professionals who, decided to finance, handhold and support genuine grassroots’ initiatives targeted at providing education and health to underprivileged children. As a Social Venture, Smile Foundation promotes and catalyses universal education among underprivileged children, create the process to embrace these children into mainstream in a sustained manner, facilitate them to emerge as productive assets, and set the foundation for nation building.

Recent Activities for social change

Among many campaigns, Smile Foundation’s ‘Beti Bhi Apni Hai’ campaign has been very active especially in light of the Girl Child Day on September 24. It was initiated by Smile Foundation under its programme ‘Swabhiman’ in the year 2009 on the occasion of World Population Day. Recently, the campaign celebrated its second year with an opinion poll on early marriage organized at Shipra Mall, Ghaziabad. The call was ‘let the Girl Child be counted’. More than 200 people were sensitized against early marriage for girls. It was surprising that some of the most educated people wanted their daughters to get married by the age of 18 either due societal pressures or fear of mishap like rape, abuse, etc. Awareness drives and campaigns such as these can go a long way in truly educating the nation and making a difference in the way people perceive social problems.

Contact:

For more details, visit http://www.smilefoundationindia.org

Or email info[at]smilefoundationindia[dot]org

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