A lot of people are bound to ask... what the heck is SMILE? .. well to make all our lives a little simpler read on to know a bit bout SMILE.... :)

SMILE IN DELHI

Students Mobilisation Initiative for Learning through Exposure

SMILE is a national level youth program, which creates spaces and opportunities for young people who want to make a difference to the world, to understand social realities, learn skills for social leadership and demonstrate active citizenship.

In a nutshell, SMILE offers you a forum to meet other young people like you, build your knowledge and skills about yourself and the world around you, and work to address issues of concern in an open, interactive manner, using methodologies that are contemporary, creative and varied.

SMILE student-volunteers running a theater campaign on Active Citizenship in front of PVR

What does it mean to be a SMILEr?

To be a SMILEr means that you are a part of a large team of active citizens – young people who care for the world they live in, are concerned about causes, want to learn more about what they can do to make a difference and how to do it, and are ready to take the plunge – to get out of their comfort zones and act for change.

To be a SMILEr means that you want to learn about the skills you have already and further learn the skills you need in order to be an active citizen.

To be a SMILEr means that you are open to an adventure in a world that is different from the one you have known so far.

To be a SMILEr means that you are open to a lot of serious fun. Because for SMILE, fun is serious business. On opportunities that SMILE offers…

SMILE offers you opportunities to build your knowledge and skills to become an active citizen. As a SMILEr,

* you will learn to see yourself as a part of a larger society, and learn about what you can do to make a difference,
* build your personal skills through workshops on communication, team building, leadership, assertive behaviour, etc.
* learn more about the issues that affect society today through monthly meetings, residential camps, events and workshops
* volunteer in NGOs in Delhi and in rural NGOs. Through these, you will work to make a difference and learn hands-on about the issue that is of importance to you. What's more, the experience will stay with you for life…

* really act for change … you could join the film club to make films to build awareness, join the theatre club to perform street or proscenium theatre, join the media club to publish newsletters or hold photo exhibitions, volunteer for campaigns to impact issues of change… the opportunities are endless.
* have serious fun . SMILE is all about participatory processes, energizers, simulation games, adventure sports ... it's all about discovering new horizons for yourself.

What are the expectations from a SMILEr?

Commitment - You will be expected to commit at least two days a month to SMILE.

Responsibility - As a SMILEr, you will have an opportunity to be a part of diverse processes. Please be responsible while choosing your commitments. And follow through with whatever you commit.

Volunteering - In SMILE, it will be mandatory for you to commit 80 hours to volunteer with an NGO in Delhi . While we will offer you a host of options and manage your placement, you will be expected to keep to your commitment. We will also encourage you strongly to go and volunteer in an NGO outside Delhi for a period of 3-6 weeks.

Openness to new experiences and knowledge – In SMILE, you will be likely to encounter many new people, ideas, views, issues. You will gain the most out of the process if you are open.

What are the personal, social and professional benefits of being a SMILEr?

Being a SMILER will open you to a whole lot of experiences and help you gain on the following fronts–

At a personal front you will have a better understanding of yourself, improve upon your interpersonal skills like leadership skills, communication, confidence levels etc.

At the social front you will find an opportunity to enhance your potential and begin the journey to search for constructive alternatives in order to make a s ignificant difference in the society and the world around us.

At a professional front , your experience and exposure to various people, organizations, working styles as well as volunteering would make you better prepared to work in a professional environment.

Who can join SMILE?

If you are living in Delhi , Noida, or Gurgaon , studying in a college here between 18 and 24 years , you can join SMILE.

How to register?

You can e-mail the SMILE Coordinator at smile@younginfluencers.com with the subject line: New Applicant - SMILE

or you can call Pravah at 2644 0619, 2621 3918 and ask for the SMILE coordinator.

For more information check out- www.younginfluencers.com

Posted in: on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at at 9:30 AM 0 comments