Reflections

The beginning of this new academic year has brought with itself a new positive development. Our Balwadis, which were 23 in number earlier have now reached 25 with the launch of 2 new Balwadis. These Balwadis have been launched with the support from Cipla Foundation. To know more about these new Balwadis, click on the following link (https://www.mumbaismiles.org/english/BlogDetails.aspx?id=1150).

It is imperative for us to ensure that the community benefits from each of our projects since the projects are focused at the upliftment of the society. Teachers, SHG members and parents of the children who had just enrolled in the Balwadi were present at the inaugural function.

All our stakeholders were elated at the launch of the 2 new Balwadis. Some of them gave us feedback too. A parent said “The use of technological media like TV is very uncommon in Balwadis. Children get inclined towards learning when such a medium are used. We are extremely thankful to you for giving our children an opportunity like this.”

The mother of a child who was present at the launched Balwadi shared “My kids were learning but there were no charts and aids to make learning more interesting. At this age, kids learn while playing. That’s why the opening of this Balwadi is really beneficial for us.”

Ali Munisha, who is from Sahara SHG, one of the self-help groups that provides the meals to the Balwadis was excited when she was asked to share her views, “I have been associated with Mumbai Smiles Balwadi project for the last four years and it’s an immense pleasure to make food for these kids because at the end of the year we see that they become much healthier than before. Balwadi Project along with education indeed inculcates healthy habits among children.”

These feedbacks are a great source of motivation for us and it is because of these feedbacks from our stakeholders that we continue to strive to uplift the society.