Dear Friends,

Disasters and extreme weather events, triggered by climate change, are fast becoming not a rarity but a norm, exposing vulnerable communities to personal loss and developmental setbacks. These are moments when the strength of the civil society is under question, but also the time when exemplary stories of humanity shine through.

The Cover Story highlights Smile Foundation’s response and recovery efforts to help the survivors of the Kerala Floods rebuild their lives after the disaster. Some of the long-term rehabilitation interventions focused on healthcare and education are ongoing.

In Focus narrates inspiring stories of grit, determination and hope of people from different parts of India who are fighting their circumstances every day and winning. Adolescent girls from Banaskantha, three 50-something men from Bengaluru and lots of young children learning empathy through music have set the wheels of change in motion.

Select achievements, beginnings, challenges, progress from our ground projects make Updates from the Ground a diversified spread. Civic Driven Change focuses on vital partnerships during the reporting period where members of the civil society – individuals, media, corporate joined hands with us, becoming our support and motivation to achieve what we could.

Smilescapes captures select handpicked moments from our journey of change that became our motivation to keep going. Hope you find these stories equally inspiring.

Happy Reading!