Share or Maybe Download a Smile?

I live alone. Not much housework. And yet, I employ a help. The main reason: she smiles a lot. When I open the door to her at 7:30 am, it is like the Sun has entered my house. I smile back.

There is something about smiling that eases life, brings joy to yourself and others. I often search for these smiles like the photos I took of Indians Who Laughed or she is She: Girl-Child in India.

One smiles when one has had enough to eat—nah, make it good nutrition. For when the brain is nourished and the organs are functioning well, you smile.

One smiles when one feels safe and confident.  One smiles when you can play and be naughty and it is okay. One smiles when you can understand and be understood. One smiles when you feel this is a moment worth living.

Which is why I was attracted to Smile Foundation some time back. I liked the concept of spreading smiles. I liked how they thought they could do so. Working on children’s health and education, on livelihood and women empowerment programs, it is currently active in 25 states across the country, working through 185 projects, directly benefiting more than 300,000 underprivileged children, youth and women.

To reflect that : “Sustainability, social equality and the environment are now business problems” and to translate business and corporate terms like Return on Investment as SROI (Social Return on investment), and to become a grantmaker for social ventures struck me as an innovative disruption to the way we understand NGOs should be run. Do read their About Us page—you may find it as interesting as I did.

There are many good NGOs in India. Many flounder because of their stand alone nature and because they run on passion alone. They need access to funding, mentorship and professional support. I liked the fact that SMILE endeavours to hand hold such groups.

Most of all, although SMILE is supported by a ton of celebrities and is reported in Media and other channels, I liked how many common (read: not famous) people support the organization. I am a great believer that it is when everyday citizens decide to participate in social activities, that we can expect social change wheel to turn, at least a bit. Read more about these supporters here.

Ms. Tove  Selnes, Executive V.P. Human Resources, Opera Software ASA and Ms. Kavita Tiwari, of Smile Foundation seen with the children of Society for Human & Environmental Development, Kalina, Santacruz (E)

Opera Software/Opera ASA is supporting SMILE foundation by donating Rs 5/- of each download of their app Opera Mini to eradicating illiteracy. You can read more about the “Smile with Opera Mini” campaign here. Support, if you deem fit.

But most of all, take the time to visit the site—both online and where their activities are happening. If you can, please donate here. If you can’t, volunteer here or may be blog or write a small facebook update on them.

We are all in this together. For each other. For everyone. Spread a few smiles.

*All photos courtesy Smile Foundation