A Visit to Smile Foundation in India

 

Hello! This is Global Student Reporter HyeMin Park from New Delhi, India. I have some interesting news from New Delhi. Did you know that Samsung Electronics India has been donating money to the needy in India? It is a part of Hope Project. Samsung has been sponsoring non-goverement organizations like Smile Foundation and AID INDIA to help reduce poverty in India.

 

 

I visited Smile Foundation, near the Green Park Station via the New Delhi metro! 

 

I asked the way to the Smile Foundation office to several people on the street and I got there safely. I could get an appointment with the staff from Smile Foundation with help from Samsung Electronics India. ‘

 

 

I met Doel Rout and Sandeep Nayak, the PR officers from Smile Foundation. Their presentation about the foundation was impressive and informative. After the presentation I asked them some questions.

 

Could you please tell us about Smile Foundation?

Smile Foundation was established in 2002 and it is a NGO (non-governmental organization) for low income children and youth. We have offices throughout the country and over two hundred thousand students are sponsored by us. We aim to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children by providing them with quality education. 

 

 

What is your vision? 

Our vision is to engage in SVP (Social Venture Philanthropy) model by working hand in hand with grassroot organizations, building their capacity, giving strategic directions, sharing resources and knowledge, and upgrading technology with the aim to achieve scalability, accountability, sustainability and leadership. Smile Foundation hopes to empower underprivileged children and youth through relevant education, innovative healthcare and market-focused livelihood programs. Smile aims to deploy the best possible methodology and technology for achieving the ideal SROI (social return on investment) and to practice and promote good governance.

 

 

How do you use Samsung’s donation? 

The partnership between Smile Foundation and Samsung commenced to support Smile Twin e-Learning program of Smile Foundation. Smile Twin e-Learning Program (STeP) is an initiative of Smile Foundation that aims to create a pool of young and independent people from marginalized groups through skill enhancement in tandem with market requirements. It is an effort towards bridging the gap between supply and demand of skilled manpower in the fast emerging services and retail sectors of modern India. 

In addition, there is the E-Learning Program which is a 6 month education program in 4 major cities in India. This is sponsored by Samsung solely. 7345 youths have been already hired with through this program.

 

Why did you choose Samsung as a partner? 

First of all, Smile Foundation is located in 24 states out of 28 states in India. There are many different detailed programs for underprivileged children. To bring out the best results, we will do whatever we could do to provide better programs to foster children in India. 

 

 

Do children know that they are sponsored by Samsung? 

Of course. It is important for children to know that they are receiving a lot of care and attention from society. If they know the importance of donation, when they grow up, they will donate the money later as well. This will be a great cycle for society. 

 

Is there anything that you hope from Samsung? 

India has so much potential. That potential is the children and they are the future of India. Education is the best way to change the lives of children. By helping more and more children get mainstreamed, we will create a wider and healthier pool of educated children who will shape the next wave of India’s growth. I hope that we will continue our partnership. 

 

 

This was a great opportunity to talk about roles of society and donations from corporation. On my way back home, I went to the market and three children came to me and asked me to take their photo. They reminded me of the great work that Smile Foundation was doing with help from Samsung.

 

I learned that day that Samsung was not only a trusted company in India but one that seeks to give back to the community that has welcomed it. 

 

 

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*The content on the blog is based on individual opinion and does not represent the position, strategy, nor opinions of Samsung Electronics.