Muskaan

At Muskaan, the boundaries between the community and the school are fluid. Parents are welcome to visit their children at any time, and children are encouraged to spend weekends or attend to their family's needs. Muskaan discourages children from joining the hostel during the first decade of their lives, as strong parental and community bonds are vital for their well-being.

The approach to meaningful education is rooted in the lives and realities of the people. At Muskaan’s school and educational initiatives, it actively encourages learners to bring their own experiences into the classroom. Muskaan acknowledges the historical trauma inflicted by colonialism and its exacerbation by poverty and deprivation, particularly in urban settings. Therefore, the programs prioritize care and aim to heal the damage caused by external forces, addressing the dysfunctional coping mechanisms that have developed.

This initiative encourages self-reflection on strengths and weaknesses, fosters sharing of thoughts and perspectives, imparts new skills, provides insights into various issues, promotes collaboration with youth from diverse communities, and equips them to address personal and community challenges. Over 350 youth from different Bhopal settlements are now part of a collective group called "YUWAYON KI AWAAZ," fostering connection and growth.

In 2018, a Muskaan team member introduced children to Frisbee, and since then, their enthusiasm has never waned. Despite the absence of formal training from a certified coach, they children have been self-learning with minimal guidance.
Surprisingly, these children are now taking on the role of educators and motivators for kids in various Bhopal settlements. They have already competed against 15 teams in New Delhi and 2 teams in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The children are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to compete at the national level in the future. This diverse team includes both girls and boys, contributing significantly to challenging gender stereotypes within the children and communities.
With their contagious excitement, the children are wholeheartedly devoted to Frisbee. Through this sport, they have not only discovered a new passion but have also gained self-awareness, understanding their strengths and weaknesses.

Muskaan embraces diversity in language, with children hailing from various backgrounds, including the Gond Community, Pardhi, Urdu, and Hindi speakers. Instead of rigidly adhering to a specific language standard, Muskaan adopts a multilingual approach that prioritizes their ability to freely express themselves. The aim is to create an inclusive environment where children can communicate comfortably.
To achieve this, it places great importance on developing a curriculum that aligns with their surroundings and experiences. This curriculum is complemented by a variety of activities and methods designed to encourage brainstorming and expand their imaginations. The approach includes:
1. Storytelling, Sight-words, and Listening
2. Circle-Time
3. Field Trips to Local Farms and Other Places
4. Initial Sound Recognition
5. Building Self-Image

Muskaan employs a versatile approach to literacy and learning, utilizing various forms of libraries, including open-air libraries, school libraries, and community rooms transformed into libraries. Moreover, even when it might not appear as a traditional library intervention, it incorporates books and articles, encompassing both fiction and non-fiction, into nearly all programs and engagements across diverse age groups.
For the youngest participants, this exposure introduces them to the captivating realm of text and imagery within books. As individuals progress in age, these literary resources become essential tools for enhancing literacy and fluency, while simultaneously unveiling both the unfamiliar and the familiar aspects of our world. A well-chosen book possesses the power to foster self-discovery and transport us to entirely different realms. It broadens our horizons by delivering a blend of information and imagination through compelling narratives.