A very warm happy new year wishes to all of you. May you have a wonderful and meaningful year.
Below is the first blog entry by our student volunteers from NSS wing of Kasturba Gandhi College for Women, Marredpally.
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Hello, we are R. Shilpa and K. Priya Darshini studying in B.Com. IIIrd year and B.Sc. Ist year at Kasturba Gandhi College in West Marredpally, Secunderabad. We are NSS volunteers in our college. We go to a Government Primary School every Wednesday for 1 hour. We interact with the school children and teach them and encourage them in learning English. The students enjoy being with us and enjoy while learning. We taught them basics in English, such as alphabets, speaking simple sentences, and names of fruits and animals. Even we came to know many things while teaching them which we did not know before. We came to know how to teach the studetns and how we can grab their attention and interest them in learning. The students are very enthusiastic to learn the matter that we teach.
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It is pleasure to see a response like this - two way learning process. I heard from a senior academician that " teaching is twice learning". I think this is very evident in this case. Infact i too had my share of learning while interacting with students in the recent past.
Lets join hands in this wonderful journey of helping a child educate for a wonderful future
Goodluck
Shyam S Mantha
+91. 995 994 1212(M)
Hyderabad
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
What a great way to begin the new year!
What a great way to start a new year! Today, January 1, 2009, Smile has organized an event at its partner organization, DESIRE Society - Home for HIV/AIDS affected children who are either abandoned by their parents or orphans. Desire is located in IDA Boolaram, approx 15 Kms from JNTU, Kukatpally. Mr. Ravi Kumar is the founder of DESIRE who started this organization about 4 yrs back. Smile has formally agreed to support DESIRE and children in all possible ways especially w.r.t Education, providing faculty/teachers and other necessary resources which helps children in developing their personality.
It is very heartening to see all children who are so active and enthu about life. MOst of the children have participated in various activities conducted - Songs, Dance, Story telling etc. Prizes were distributed and also shared lot of learning kits like mind games, building blocks, and other knowledge based games which helps in developing their brain power. The idea is to help them develop themselves and acquire as much education as possible irrespective of the deasease or the life span.
It is also very sad to note that without their mistake, these children are suffering from a deadly desease. Majority is because of parents carelessness and lack of knowledge. It is every sensible and educated individual's moral responsibility is to educate less privileged and illeterates through awareness camps, interactive sessions etc
I was told by one of the government officials of APSAC that AP (all the 23 districts) is rated as A Grade state w.r.t HIV/AIDS affected population. Its a high alert and red flagged state.
Lets join hands for a meaningful cause and do our bit to the society
Regards
Shyam S Mantha
Founder Trustee - Smile for Life Foundation
+91. 995 994 1212 (M)
Hyderabad
It is very heartening to see all children who are so active and enthu about life. MOst of the children have participated in various activities conducted - Songs, Dance, Story telling etc. Prizes were distributed and also shared lot of learning kits like mind games, building blocks, and other knowledge based games which helps in developing their brain power. The idea is to help them develop themselves and acquire as much education as possible irrespective of the deasease or the life span.
It is also very sad to note that without their mistake, these children are suffering from a deadly desease. Majority is because of parents carelessness and lack of knowledge. It is every sensible and educated individual's moral responsibility is to educate less privileged and illeterates through awareness camps, interactive sessions etc
I was told by one of the government officials of APSAC that AP (all the 23 districts) is rated as A Grade state w.r.t HIV/AIDS affected population. Its a high alert and red flagged state.
Lets join hands for a meaningful cause and do our bit to the society
Regards
Shyam S Mantha
Founder Trustee - Smile for Life Foundation
+91. 995 994 1212 (M)
Hyderabad
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Adding more schools to Smile's kitty
It is very heartening to see that Smile is translating its vision and mission into action. As part of its first major project of adopting government schools and there by imparting education to the underprivileged, Smile has join hands with Kasturba Gandhi College for Women (KGC), Marredpally.
Dr. Vidya, Advisor to Smile is developing the course curriculum and helping Smile Volunteers to plan their day's / week's interaction with school students. She is also mentoring lecturers to guide their respective volunteers.
Smile is working with two groups in the college - 1) regular students of KGC and 2) NSS Students of KGC. Smile has adopted three schools and allotted the schools to the student volunteers. All the students have formed into groups of 4-5 students each, who will be visiting schools every day but as per their schedule. For example: One group will go on Monday and the other on Tuesday. Groups may change but one or the other groups will interact with students every day
I am fortunate to have Dr. Aruna Reddy and Dr. Anita Reddy as part of Smile Team. Dr. Aruna Reddy, Reader of KGC is guiding regular students of KGC along with 5 other lecturers and Dr. Anita Reddy, NSS Coordinator is guing all the NSS Students.
Smile is leaving no stone unturned in identifying and adopting under privileged / under funded / government schools. Smile is adding more schools to its kitty.
My request to the readers: Either you or your organization or your college or your friends are most welcome to join hands with Smile and help the needy children
Jai Hind
Shyam S Mantha
+91. 995 994 1212(M)
Dr. Vidya, Advisor to Smile is developing the course curriculum and helping Smile Volunteers to plan their day's / week's interaction with school students. She is also mentoring lecturers to guide their respective volunteers.
Smile is working with two groups in the college - 1) regular students of KGC and 2) NSS Students of KGC. Smile has adopted three schools and allotted the schools to the student volunteers. All the students have formed into groups of 4-5 students each, who will be visiting schools every day but as per their schedule. For example: One group will go on Monday and the other on Tuesday. Groups may change but one or the other groups will interact with students every day
I am fortunate to have Dr. Aruna Reddy and Dr. Anita Reddy as part of Smile Team. Dr. Aruna Reddy, Reader of KGC is guiding regular students of KGC along with 5 other lecturers and Dr. Anita Reddy, NSS Coordinator is guing all the NSS Students.
Smile is leaving no stone unturned in identifying and adopting under privileged / under funded / government schools. Smile is adding more schools to its kitty.
My request to the readers: Either you or your organization or your college or your friends are most welcome to join hands with Smile and help the needy children
Jai Hind
Shyam S Mantha
+91. 995 994 1212(M)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Article in "The Hindu" - Used Book Drive by SMILE Trust
Many ways to make children smile
Build a library: By Children - for Children
If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children,” said Gandhiji. What better way to take this notion forward, than on Gandhi Jayanti?
Child by child
Smile, an organisation working for the cause of children, did just that! They organised a used-book drive at Shantibagh Apartments, Begumpet and Vaishali Gardens, Tarnaka, to build a library for the students of Government Girls School, Picket.
Smile was initiated in December 2004, by Mr. Shyam, who wanted to do something for the children. The group started off on a child-by-child basis, wherein the members started helping individual children in their education and other needs.
This is the first school-wise programme that Smile has taken up. The group proposes to build an English-language library, because English is a medium that is not easily accessible to the children of Government schools such as these. “We spoke to the District Collector with some proposals for schools. However, he informed us that he would be taking up similar activities and therefore, we chose to help schools in any area where the school feels it needs help,” says Mr. Shastry. What is strikingly different about this group, is the fact that this group does not take money in the form of donations.
“We do not want to take donations, until we know we can utilise it correctly,” says Mr. Shastry.
By the end of two hours, a sizeable number of books had been accumulated at each of the venues, all of which will be put up at the English library in the school.
The organisation is located at West Marredpally and you can contribute your bit, by donating old and used school books, story books and general books can do so.
Interested in reaching out to the lesser privileged children?
Source: October 21, 2008: http://www.hindu.com/yw/2008/10/21/stories/2008102150211400.htm
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Great response - Used Books Drive on October 2nd, 2008 - A moment to thank everyone
Today, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, SMILE planned its first public event ("Used Books" drive)in aid of Government Girls High School, Picket, Secunderabad. It is very heartening to note that the response has been great at both the locations - Begumpet and Tarnaka. We have collected quite a number of books on variety of children topics ranging from English, Maths, Science, GK, Stories, comics etc.
It was a great experience to interact with parents and kids who donated their used books.
I need to thank few people who made this event a great success in its own terms.
1. Anita Narayansamy, who pushed this drive right from the beginning till date. She has taken all the pains of running pillar to post in making key things fall in place like Designing posters, leaflets, banners, visiting cards and getting them printed.
She has taken the responsibility of getting them printed and borne entire cost of the work. She never took anybody's help in the entire process and pushed the printer to deliver stuff on time. Its really commendable.
2. Mallika and invisible supporters: I say this because, Anita has sent few mails to her friends across India and USA. That mail traveled from Hyderabad to other metros and finally to USA where Ansh (Anita's friend) posted it on Ryze Business Networking ite. From there Mallika picked up and sent it to her friend Suresh who works for NTV. Quickly he took action by inserting in scrolling advt.
It was a sheer surprise to all of us to learn that SMILE advt was coming in NTV. Even before we realized that fact, Anita started receiving calls from public from various parts of Andhra Pradesh. We were surprised and Anita decided to reach its end and crack the mystery. To cust the story short, Anita figured out that it was Mallika who shared this event with Suresh
It was happy ending and a great beginning too.
3. Farida and The Hindu: When Anita shared this news with Farida who works with The Hindu, she quickly informed her team to cover this event. They approached Sastry at Begumpet location, who is a SMILE member, Independent IT Consultant and Strategist.
4. On the day of the event: Anita and I looked after Vaishali Garden Apartments and Sastry and Chandra looked after Shanti Bagh Apartments. We didn't have major problem as people turned up quickly at our place. However, it took a while at begumpet to get the response. If it was not for Sastry, event may have taken U turn. Chandra was handling the counter and Sastry went floor by floor, door to door to remind about the event and made it a success.
First I thank my team - Anita, Sastry and Chandra for their continuous support. Then Anshie, Mallika, Farida and Suresh. Then the printer Srinivas.
Last but not least, Mr. Gomez, secretary of Vaishali Apartments, Tarnaka, who immediately accepted my request and allowed me to tie banners, display posters, distribute leaflets and help me setup the counter. Another person who helped us alot is Shanker, resident of Shanti Bagh Apartments. Without his help, we couldn't have done this event at his apartment complex. He was kind enough to support us and honour Sastry's request to setup a counter.
Thank you again for all your support. Look forward to your continuous support in the coming event
Warm Regards
Shyam S Mantha
Founder Trustee
+91. 995 994 1212 (M)
It was a great experience to interact with parents and kids who donated their used books.
I need to thank few people who made this event a great success in its own terms.
1. Anita Narayansamy, who pushed this drive right from the beginning till date. She has taken all the pains of running pillar to post in making key things fall in place like Designing posters, leaflets, banners, visiting cards and getting them printed.
She has taken the responsibility of getting them printed and borne entire cost of the work. She never took anybody's help in the entire process and pushed the printer to deliver stuff on time. Its really commendable.
2. Mallika and invisible supporters: I say this because, Anita has sent few mails to her friends across India and USA. That mail traveled from Hyderabad to other metros and finally to USA where Ansh (Anita's friend) posted it on Ryze Business Networking ite. From there Mallika picked up and sent it to her friend Suresh who works for NTV. Quickly he took action by inserting in scrolling advt.
It was a sheer surprise to all of us to learn that SMILE advt was coming in NTV. Even before we realized that fact, Anita started receiving calls from public from various parts of Andhra Pradesh. We were surprised and Anita decided to reach its end and crack the mystery. To cust the story short, Anita figured out that it was Mallika who shared this event with Suresh
It was happy ending and a great beginning too.
3. Farida and The Hindu: When Anita shared this news with Farida who works with The Hindu, she quickly informed her team to cover this event. They approached Sastry at Begumpet location, who is a SMILE member, Independent IT Consultant and Strategist.
4. On the day of the event: Anita and I looked after Vaishali Garden Apartments and Sastry and Chandra looked after Shanti Bagh Apartments. We didn't have major problem as people turned up quickly at our place. However, it took a while at begumpet to get the response. If it was not for Sastry, event may have taken U turn. Chandra was handling the counter and Sastry went floor by floor, door to door to remind about the event and made it a success.
First I thank my team - Anita, Sastry and Chandra for their continuous support. Then Anshie, Mallika, Farida and Suresh. Then the printer Srinivas.
Last but not least, Mr. Gomez, secretary of Vaishali Apartments, Tarnaka, who immediately accepted my request and allowed me to tie banners, display posters, distribute leaflets and help me setup the counter. Another person who helped us alot is Shanker, resident of Shanti Bagh Apartments. Without his help, we couldn't have done this event at his apartment complex. He was kind enough to support us and honour Sastry's request to setup a counter.
Thank you again for all your support. Look forward to your continuous support in the coming event
Warm Regards
Shyam S Mantha
Founder Trustee
+91. 995 994 1212 (M)
"Used Books" Drive on October 2, 2008
You are all cordially invited to join SMILE Team either at Tarnaka or Begumpet. Details of the event are in the poster
Look forward to meeting you all at the event
Regards
Shyam S Mantha
Founder Trustee
+91. 995 994 1212 (M)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
October 02, 2008 - "Used Books drive" at Tarnaka and Begumpet
"Used Books drive" is being organized for the benefit of Government Girls High School, Picket, Secunderabad, which SMILE has adopted recently to create good library facilty, provide tutors to take up Communicative English classes, Basic Computer lessons, creative way of learning Science and Maths thru' fun and interactive sessions
This is organized on October 02, 2008 at Vaishali Gardens, Tarnaka and Shanti Bagh apartments in Begumpet between 10 am - 12 noon. For more details, you are most welcome to contact Mr. Shyam S Mantha - 995 994 1212 or Anita Narayasamy - 970 100 0945
This is organized on October 02, 2008 at Vaishali Gardens, Tarnaka and Shanti Bagh apartments in Begumpet between 10 am - 12 noon. For more details, you are most welcome to contact Mr. Shyam S Mantha - 995 994 1212 or Anita Narayasamy - 970 100 0945
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