Mumbai Similes is fortunate to be supported by a large network of donors and well-wishers, many of who are overseas. Since our sister organization, Sonrisas de Bombay, is based in Spain, we have a large number of donors and volunteers who are from Spain. It is always a pleasure to meet these philanthropists who enable [...]
Education today is incomplete without life skills. These critical skills have been incorporated in most national and state board curriculum. This is because educationists have identified these skills are critical for young people to succeed in the world. At Mumbai Smiles, our Primary and Higher Education projects have also taken note of this development. This [...]
One of the biggest challenges facing educators who work with disadvantaged communities is to ensure that the children do not drop out prematurely. Many factors can cause a child to drop out of school and not all of them can be easily fixed. However, as educators we can do many things to ensure that children [...]
Education is a fundamental factor in creating a just world. This reality was recognised by our lawmakers when they passed the Right to Education Act, making access to free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for all Indian children between 6-14 years of age. The implementation of this law is a challenge that is being [...]
The community in the slums of Mumbai is at the heart of everything we do at Mumbai Smiles. Even though we work to improve their living conditions and access to opportunities, we in fact end up receiving much more from them in return—lessons on contentment, positivity and how to make the most of everything you [...]
On International Day of the Girl Child, Mumbai Smiles Founder and General Director Jaume Sanllorente, spoke to DNA in length about PM Modi’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, the general attitude towards women, and why gender equality will not happen in this lifetime What is Mumbai Smiles doing on the International Day of the Girl [...]
This is Muskan’s story. Muskan, whose name means ‘smile’, was a beneficiary of the Life Skills Education programme in the year 2017-18. At the time, she was studying in Class 8, which is the last grade where Mumbai Smiles provides free education. After this grade, students have to take admission in other government schools or [...]
School education for girls in India faces two major challenges—convincing parents to enroll their daughters in school and ensuring that female students do not drop out prematurely. One of the key reasons why a large number of young girls drop out of school in India each year is that they do not have the resources [...]
Imbibing life skills is a lifelong process for all of us. These skills help us to navigate the world successfully; they are crucial to our overall wellbeing and happiness. Life Skills Education is a key module in our Primary Education and Higher Education projects; where they are imparted to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds who constitute [...]
Every law is only as good as its implementation. The Right to Education is a historic law—for the first time, it is mandated by law that all Indian children between the ages of 6-14 years have the right to compulsory and free education. It is an incredibly progressive law that is highly needed to bring [...]
Starting the admissions process for a new batch of students each year is a very exciting time for us, as we get to help bright young minds start their education. It is also a joyous moment for their families; these children come from deprived backgrounds and live in the slums of Mumbai. For them and [...]
Volunteers are one of the lifelines of an organisation like Mumbai Smiles. Giving us their time, effort and help, they enable us to make a much larger impact in our work. So it is always a great pleasure for us when we can help our volunteers to meet the people who they are helping and [...]
