When old and new friends meet—Monica, Daniel and Patricia’s visit

Since its inception, Mumbai Smiles has been fortunate to have some people associated with us right from the start up to the present. They have watched our progress over the years with constant encouragement and valuable feedback. Over the years, we have also met like-minded people in the development sector who have appreciated our work and shared their experience with us. Both types of visitors have inspired us in their own ways.

On 16 November 2018, we organised a visit for Monica, Patricia and Daniel. Monica, a professional clown from Spain, is our old friend who had worked with Mumbai Smiles in the past. She came for the visit with her friend Daniel. Patricia runs an NGO to help human trafficking victims in Thailand.  We first took them to our preschool and community centre in Powai, where they met the Preschool Education team. The guests also visited the home of Vedika, one of our beneficiaries. We then took them to our Govandi preschool, where Monica formed an instant connection with the kids with the help of her clowning schools. The day ended with a visit to Savitribai Phule Girls’ High School, where the guests met and had a discussion with the Higher Education team.

While Monica was impressed with the new ideas that we have implemented in the years since her last visit, Patricia expressed her appreciation for our work as well. Daniel specially expressed his admiration at the optimism and poverty of our community as well as the work we are doing to turn today’s children into tomorrow’s leaders through proper education. It was wonderful to spend the day with such appreciative visitors—we hope they visit us again soon!