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Smile connects

	Our enthusiastic Intern from Lativia Ieva Lace organized an activity "Smile connects" on 23rd April 30, 2010,where 100 slum children got information on basic hygiene by learning right strokes of tooth brushing and hand washing with soap. It was organized at 'Sajag Society' in rag picker's colony in Kapas Hera, New Delhi. Children from the age group of 5-17 years took part. Most of these children are engaged in rag picking. That is why it is even more important to educate them on basic hygiene. Each child was given one toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. The benefits of clean hands and teeth were explained to them. Cricket player Sachin Tendulakar's life story was told to motivate the children to smile and work hard for achieving their life goals.
Fifteen Volunteers including professional doctor, two theater teachers and international students joined in to help and inspire. The children were very attentive and thoroughly enjoyed the interaction. They all promised to keep their teeth and hands clean. Group leaders were identified amongst the children who would keep a check on tooth brushing and hand washing habits of children and give the feedback during monitoring visit. Follow up visits are planned to inspire the children to continue the habit and spread the word to their peer group and parents. The aim is also to reach out to 500 more children in three months time.

Great enthusiasm was shown by the volunteers who came from different walks of life and places, for e.g., Manish was on a visit to Delhi from Mysore and joined us in this noble effort.

In words of Rainey-"I believe that even an individual can make a difference to this world we are living into, it's just a matter of how aware you are about your surroundings and to what extent you are willing to support the change. So I think we all should share this responsibility of change together, in whatever manner we can support it in. So let`s all contribute to this effort of transformation and make it really happen. As' a dreamer can also be a visionary'." "Ieva have showed me how to master my own dream. She first showed me how to trust myself, even when the fear of losing my old belief occurs, then is rebuilding or reshaping my own dream not far away. My dream is being a farmer. So all of this is really my own doing for sure. Ieva just unlocked all my own powers Can you imagine what she can unlock with her project Smile Connects?"

Ashish Poddar- "It was a good experience to be a part of smile connects - hope we can continue this."