Spread Smile

Spread A Smile India works towards the overall improvement of one of the most vulnerable sections of our society; the destitute children that live on the streets and beg at traffic lights. Started in 2005 with ten children, Spread A Smile currently works with approximately 250 children. Born and raised on the streets, these kids are faced with daunting challenges, such as their tendency to lean towards violence and vices such as alcohol, smoking and gambling . It may be prudent to point out that 95% of the children that are now attending the schools are all choosing not to beg any longer and making better choices. By organising regular health camps, elementary education, excursion trips, vocational training, sanitation and social awareness programs, Spread a Smile India aims to equip these children with the means they require for a healthy and secure future. Spread A Smile India also works with the parents of these children and engages with the parents through counselling sessions. To empower these children it is critical to empower their mothers . These Basti women who come from underprivileged backgrounds fall prey to domestic violence and high levels of discrimination from their family and community. With our Women Empowerment centre, we aim to induce Self Respect, Confidence, financial and social Independence amongst women . Teaching and training them in skills for baking, cooking , tailoring , crochet , gift bags and stitching cloth bags and candle making has enabled us to help them earn a living and support their children and families. We are also working with and training children who are habituated to substance abuse, thievery and gambling as they do not have any dependable source of income. The idea behind the effort is to make them feel self sustainable and to increase their confidence to be able to provide for themselves.