SPREADING SMILES: `Smiles in the Slums' organised by Ahaan Foundation for children of Madiwala slums, in Bangalore on Sunday.

BANGALORE: For the 300 poor children of the Madiwala slums, New Year's Eve this time was a special event. Even as they awaited the New Year, the children joined hands and sang and danced with joy. The party, "Smiles in the Slums", organised by Ahaan Foundation, a city-based non-profit trust, had just begun.

According to the organisers, the event was a celebration of the pure spirit of the children and a tribute to the courage with which they lived their lives.

"It is our way of trying to put a smile on their faces and cheer in their hearts this season and perhaps every New Year's Eve henceforth," said foundation trustee Yasmeen Denegaar.

The programme included a mixed package of music, drama, surprise gifts, snacks and lunch.

Through the event, the foundation also hoped to reach out to more families in and around the slums, where it has been involved for some time in developmental work.

Ahaan Foundation was launched in March 2001 by two young Bangaloreans on the principles of love, service, freedom and integrity. Its vision is to contribute to progress among disadvantaged communities by providing them opportunities for sustainable growth.

At present, it supports the education of 27 children and conducts extra-curricular activities, workshops and interactive events to motivate the children to look beyond their syllabi and local environments.

The foundation has also been working with NGOs and corporate companies and individuals to arrange vocational training programmes for youth. Efforts are now under way to start long-term income-generating programmes for women in these communities. The foundation also conducts health, hygiene and nutritional-awareness workshops from time to time.

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