So SHE shines: shined bright

‘So SHE shines’: shined bright

“So SHE shines, and for her to shine many hands raised a help”

Mumbai Smiles, beginning its journey into a new decade celebrated the last ceremony on 11^th April through a Solidarity dinner called So SHE shines at the Orchid Hotel, Mumbai. The evening welcomed friends of Mumbai Smiles from different walks of life with a common intent to contribute to Girl Child Education and empowering their future.

The event was greeted by the presence of the well-established Bollywood fashion designer Ms. Shaina NC. She interacted with the Mumbai Smiles team and gave her heartfelt congratulations for the work done with the communities in the past 10 years. Shaina in her talk said that “In the 10 years Mumbai Smiles has reached to numbers that are in thousands and now in the coming decade we believe Mumbai Smiles will reach out to numbers in Lakhs.” She launched Mumbai Smiles’ Annual Report for the year 2013-14. Shaina NC appreciated the SEED products made by the SEED beneficiaries and interacted with the Program Officer Priyanka Tiwari and the SEED trainer Malti. The Mr. Narendra Kumar Dundu, Executive Director India took her through the Mumbai Smiles photo exhibition. She felicitated some of the volunteers who worked for the 10^th year celebration and extended her support for the work Mumbai Smiles visions for the future.

The event continued with a small interview with the Founder President of Mumbai Smiles, Jaume Sanllorente by Natasha Rolston. Jaume spoke about how he began the journey of Mumbai Smiles with on small orphanage in Vasai and seeing it grow to where it is, gives him immense pleasure. He further added that “Mumbai Smiles is not a foreign organization and believe to work WITH the community rather than FOR the community. In future we hope to launch a new initiative for community development called ‘Jump2Justice’ which will focus on providing the members with relevant legal guidance to claim their rights. Mumbai Smiles in the coming years will move further through similar advocacy projects to ensure that the communities move towards being more just.”

 

 

 

 

 

Jaume’s interview was followed by a series of entertainment events planned for the guests, with a message. The evening began with a Fashion show put up by a group of 4 volunteers who walked the ramp with the SEED products. The the SEED Program Officer Priyanka Tiwari and trainer Malti accompanied the girls in the end as the show stoppers. They walked the ramp with Laptop bags, sling bags and other similar products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Fashion show was followed by a semi classical dance by a professional dancer, Saee Tendulkar who performed on a semi classical music. Her grace and elegance of expressions amazed the guests and left a message that every girl can have the determination to excel.

The most awaited part of the event was a stage performance by Bhavana Saripalli who has been an accomplished singer from a very young age. She brought songs that not only appealed the guests but also had powerful messages. She sung numbers from Satyamev Jayate which brought alive the message of empowering girls. Her melodious voice and ease of singing enthralled the audience.

 

The event saw the west meet the east through an engaging Jive plus Hip-hop performance by Georit George and Sarvoparita. They danced and made the audience dance in their chairs. Their moves brought energy to the event and gained many applaud.

 

The final and most appreciated performers of the day were Nilus Rodricks and Maclean Lewis whose band ‘Black Heart’ stole the hearts of several at the show. Bringing the best of western acoustic music in their own original melodies and composition was the highlight of their performance. They also impressed the audience by playing some song requests on the go.

 

With that the night successfully got smiles on the faces on many people who attended the event and in turn helped us to get smiles on the faces on many girls who wait for this support. Beginning a new journey towards a new decade with innovation and support from many hands, Mumbai Smiles concluded it 10^th year celebration.