Written by Akansha Sharma & Asha – Student Volunteers, KIET Group of Institutions & Gift a Smile Foundation
Introduction: A Day That Changed the Way We See the World
Some experiences truly shift your perspective. Our visit to a slum community near the Modinagar dumping yard, as part of the Gift a Smile Foundation’s community learning initiative, became one such eye-opening moment. We, Akansha Sharma and Asha, volunteered to conduct a Slum Survey and Clothes Distribution Drive. What began as a structured activity soon turned into a deep, emotional experience that reshaped how we look at life, inequality, and hope.
During the survey, Founder Nishant Kumar supported us immensely and helped us understand the ground reality with clarity and compassion. He has been dedicated to this work consistently since 2015. Vansh Singh Solanki, Co-Project Lead, also helped us coordinate and manage our visit among dozens of children in the slum community, ensuring our interaction was smooth and impactful.
Entering the Slum: Between Waste and Hope
The area we visited lies beside a government dumping yard a place most people avoid, but for hundreds of families, it’s their home and workplace. For them, waste isn’t garbage it’s income. Families collect, sort, and sell recyclable materials from Modinagar’s waste to earn their livelihood. The smell of garbage was strong, but so was the strength in their eyes.
Children played barefoot in narrow lanes, smiling despite the harsh surroundings. It was a stark reminder that happiness often exists where comfort doesn’t.
The Survey: Listening to Real Stories
We visited around 30 families, asking questions about their income, education, and daily life. They shared stories that were both eye-opening and heartbreaking. We learned about their livelihoods and challenges through simple conversations. Here are some key findings:
- Primary Income Source: Collecting and selling waste materials
- Secondary Income Source: Ear cleaning work by adults (20+ years)
- Average Family Size: 8–10 members
- Education: Most children were not attending school
- Reason: Parents believed schooling was a “waste of time” compared to working and earning
One father told us,
“The more children we have, the more hands we have to collect waste.”
That one sentence revealed the deep-rooted mindset where survival matters more than education.
Education: A Forgotten Dream
We found that many children had never gone to school. Some wanted to, but their parents couldn’t afford it – or simply didn’t see its value. Despite this, hope flickered in their words. One girl told us she wanted to become a teacher “so that every child in our basti could study.” Her dream was simple yet powerful – a spark of hope in a place surrounded by struggle.
Gift a Smile Foundation: Turning Awareness into Action
This is where Gift a Smile Foundation steps in not just as an NGO, but as a movement of change.
The foundation regularly visits these communities through its Smile Pathshala initiative, providing:
- Free educational sessions and learning kits
- Clothes and study materials for children
- Motivation for parents to send their kids to school
- Awareness on hygiene, health, and skill development
The long-term goal is to help these families move from daily wage dependency to dignified income opportunities, such as delivery jobs (Amazon, Blinkit), digital work, and skill-based employment.
The Experience: Beyond Giving, We Received
During the clothes distribution, the gratitude we received was overwhelming. Children hugged us, smiling widely with their new clothes. A mother softly said –
“Bahut log photo lete hain, par aaj kisi ne hamari baat suni.”
(“Many come to take pictures, but today someone actually listened.”)
That moment stayed with us. It reminded us that real help isn’t just in donating – it’s in listening and understanding.
Our Reflection: What This Visit Taught Us
This experience opened our eyes to how deep inequality runs – yet how strong the human spirit remains. We learned that these families don’t need pity; they need opportunity. They don’t lack intelligence; they lack guidance.
As KIET student volunteers, we returned with a promise – to keep supporting the foundation’s work and to raise awareness among more students to join this journey of change.
Suggestions for a Better Future
Based on our findings and experiences, here’s what can help improve life in such communities:
- Regular Hygiene and Cleanliness Drives
- Evening Tuition or Bridge Classes for Dropout Children
- Skill Training Programs for Women and Youth
- Awareness about Government Schemes and Savings (SIP/Banking)
- Consistent Volunteer Visits for Education & Motivation
Every small effort counts. Every visit brings hope.
Conclusion: One Smile Can Change a Story
Our slum survey and clothes distribution drive was not just an activity – it was a lesson in empathy and humanity.
Through such initiatives, Gift a Smile Foundation continues to inspire youth to step out, connect, and contribute. Because when we give, we grow – and when we smile, we help others smile too.
Let’s Gift a Smile.