A study on identifying the challenges faced by SMILE (CSR initiative of IIMA) and formulate a strategy to overcome these challenges

Abstract

SMILE is a student-driven initiative that works to provide remedial education to underprivileged kids from slum communities in Ahmedabad. Over the years of its existence, SMILE has been encountering specific challenges like dropouts, language barrier, lack of visibility and trust, etc. which need to be addressed thoroughly. This report digs deeper into the issues by conducting detailed interviews with current and ex-SMILE teachers, student coordinators, current and past students to understand the pain points involved for each of the stakeholders involved. After unearthing those pain points, this report further suggests a list of feasible solutions that can be implemented to overcome these challenges. These solutions are drafted in consultation with various NGOs working in the same domain as SMILE. We sincerely hope that this study would be significantly useful in ensuring better functioning of SMILE.