The past two decades, beginning from the turn of the millennium, have had a profound impact on how development is perceived globally. What has emerged is more evolved understanding of the change process and a collaborative approach to the solving of social problems.
Incidentally, successful partnerships and collaborations have been crucial to the growth and journey of Smile Foundation as well. Long-term, outcome-oriented and enriching partnerships with multiple stakeholders have gone into the making of the organization as we see it today.
If I look back at the last year I see evidences of such collaborations throughout, that have helped us enhance our programmes, expand our reach and multiply our impact. In Education, we worked in 27 states through a diverse range of initiatives – FLN, STEM, Green Energy, Holistic Learning. We collaborated with government projects like the Nipun Bharat Task Force, and worked with governments in 10 schools to cater to the different needs of children, opening up doors for broader community development. We also partnered with academic institutions like IIT Bombay and Symbiosis Institute of Technology Pune to foster a culture of innovation and excellence among our students.
In Vocational Education and Scholarships, we collaborated with around 300 government schools in six Rajasthan districts equipping young girl students with practical skills and preparing them for meaningful employment opportunities. The last year we connected with government functionaries in 15 states, from the Principal Secretary to District Education Officers, aligning all our education work with the interests and aspirations of the national development goals.
In the pursuit of our mission to empower lives, the focus on skilling and livelihood has become central to all our efforts. Our partnership with NIIT, aligned with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has ensured that our beneficiaries not only receive quality training but also gain industry-recognized qualifications, enhancing their employability. Collaborating with NASSCOM as an IT/ITES training partner underscores our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, offering our beneficiaries opportunities in the dynamic field of information technology.
In the upskilling domain, our network now extends to 24 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) of State Governments. Formal collaborations with 15 municipal corporations demonstrate our commitment to navigating regulatory landscapes for seamless programme implementation. Regular interactions with District Collectors/District Magistrates ensure that our programmes align with local needs and further broaden the scope and impact of our initiatives.
These strategic alliances are not just partnerships, they are pathways to self-reliance and a better tomorrow for those we serve.
A major highlight of the year was our successful collaboration with the Jharkhand Government, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to operate five Smile on Wheels mobile medical units. Furthermore, the pivotal endorsement from the Tamil Nadu Government, granting state level permission for SOW operations in any district, underscores the broadening impact of our healthcare initiatives. Then there are collaborations with government Primary Health Centers (PHCs) which is a strategic move to amplify our impact, extending the reach of healthcare services to the grassroots level.
In Sangrur, our women empowerment initiatives have been closely aligned with the District Administration, earning recognition up to the level of the Punjab Chief Minister. Furthermore, our Telemedicine project has seamlessly aligned government interventions, culminating in the successful handover of 10 Telemedicine units to the Government in the aspirational district of Mewat.
Active engagement with government at all levels is a testament to the collaborative spirit that underlines our initiatives.
Within Smile, a 600+ dedicated team of professionals worked together to drive the change, and were joined by more than 3000 on-ground facilitators including teachers, trainers, community mobilizers, doctors, paramedics, drivers, change agents, community health educators, and countless volunteers.
In the end, we were able to reach out to more children and families, make our services better and more accessible, increase awareness and effect behavioural change in communities, and provide better solutions to the problems that impede progress at the grassroots. it has been an exciting journey powered by fruitful collaborations.
Our accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of our donors, volunteers, and partners. Your belief in our mission fuels our passion and drive to create positive change. We express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for being an integral part of the Smile Foundation family.
As we make further strides this year, we are excited about the potential for growth, collaboration, and, most importantly, making an even greater impact in the lives of those we serve.
Together, we will continue to build a brighter, more sustainable future.
Keep Spreading Smiles!
