How we Work

Project Cycle Management

In order to make our work systematic and efficient, we have adopted a ‘project cycle management’ approach: a sequence of actions to develop, implement and evaluate projects. The aim of project cycle management is to improve the management of projects by ensuring that all relevant issues and conditions are taken into account during design and implementation. In application, project cycle management consists of a set of design and management concepts, techniques and tasks that is used to support informed decision-making.

Beneficiaries Committee

At Mumbai Smiles, an important aspect of our project cycle management is the formation of a ‘Beneficiaries Committee’ for each project. In the development sector, the needs and aspirations of the beneficiaries of the projects — the people for whom the projects are actually developed — are not given utmost importance and, at times, they are ignored and even excluded. To eliminate these inadequacies, we want the beneficiaries of each project to have a voice and fair representation. This way, they can articulate their concerns, and there can be a correct assessment of their needs.

The other advantage of forming a Beneficiaries Committee is that it gives strength to the beneficiary’s role in the monitoring and evaluation of the projects, making it a more participative process. It also assists the projects team in planning and designing development interventions.

The members of each Beneficiaries Commission are identified on the basis of two factors:

* Beneficiaries’ ability to understand and articulate issues

* A fair representation of women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minority groups

Child Protection Policy

Following the quote – “Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul”, our organisation’s mission is “to facilitate an enabling environment for a child from the marginalised section of the society living in grim situation by providing quality education, health services, awareness and dignified livelihood by Rights Based Approach”. In tandem with its vision and commitment and also the fact that children are often vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, Mumbai Smiles is highly sensitive and accords top priority to the protection and safety of children and their Rights. Mumbai Smiles commits to protect its children from exploitation, neglect, sexual and physical abuse and therefore has formulated a Child Protection Policy translating its commitment into practicality. It is intended to keep children safe from possible abuse and exploitation within the organisation (Staff members, Volunteers, Resource Persons) and community, partners, sponsors and volunteers they come in contact with during different activities. The policy also is to serve as advocacy to create (and/or increase) awareness on child protection in the community as well as in the family.

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