INDIACSR News Network
NEW DELHI: Smile Foundation, a national level development organization, celebrated the success of its campaign Choone Do Aasman- Every child in school, with Chief Minister of Delhi, Ms. Sheila Dikshit on eve of World Literacy Day. The Chief Minister met the children at her residence and gave her blessings to the kids as they embark on a new journey towards an empowered future, breaking the shackles of poverty, child labour and illiteracy
Choone Do Aasman was an initiative undertaken by Smile Foundation to send 5000 children to school by 15th of August with an objective of helping children from the marginalised and difficult circumstances in realizing their dreams through education. The core belief behind Choone Do Aasman is that children should be at the centre stage of development in order to effect a lasting change. This Year Smile Foundation has been successful in sending 4370(four thousand three hundred seventy) children to school in a span of two months through this initiative.
The Chief Minister’s never say die spirit was palpable while she was interacting with the kids. She had a good chat with all the kids and she also did a cake cutting with them. Speaking about her support Ms Dikshit said, “These children are the future of our country and what is more important than making them empowered through education. Each one of us has dream but more important is to fulfil the dreams of others .I would like to congratulate Smile Foundation for the commendable work of giving wings to the dreams of these children through education”
Speaking about the initiative Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “As a young and responsible organisation, Smile Foundation always believes we can have an educated, poverty free and liberated society can only when members of the civil society come forward and participate proactively in the development process .Choone Do Aasman is a reflection of this thought. On the behalf of Smile Foundation I would like to thank Ms. Sheila Dikshit for supporting our initiative toward enriching the lives of those who need it the most.”
Children of Smile Foundation had a great time with Ms Dikshit. They shared their dreams with the Chief Minister.
Choone Do Aasman started in 2009 as an annual initiative of Smile Foundation, with objective of enabling children from disadvantaged and difficult circumstances in realizing their dreams through the power of education.
The core belief behind Choone Do Aasman is that children should be at the centre stage of development in order to effect a lasting change. Education was recognised as the main tool which could enable children to grow up as empowered individuals who would know about their rights, secure a dignified livelihood, make informed choices, and resist oppression; eventually coming out of the vicious cycle of poverty and suffering.
Since 2009 Choone Do Aasman has not only brought the difficulties as well as dreams of underprivileged children to notice but also sensitized millions privileged citizens to take a step further and contribute to the larger cause of child education