Smile Sunshine
La Tahzan - Do not Be sad
Smile Sunshine operates as Firefly's Key Social Responsibility initiative. Together, with The Crafter’s Guild, countless philanthropic initiatives and efforts are executed by Smile Sunshine with focus on health, shelter, community building, education, and vocational merit.
While charitable efforts and campaigns have long been active under Firefly, it was under the global pandemic it became a full scale relief partner for COVID affected families in 2020. Thousands of families have been provided rations, medical aid, vocational support through sewing machines, rehabilitation post Karachi floods, in addition to multiple medical camps, and more. Heavy campaigns during Ramadan have ensured meal distribution, clothes distribution, Eid celebrations for orphans, as well as distribution of meat during Eid ul Adha.
Key Projects and Milestones
It is heartening to share Smile Sunshine partnered with the CAREEM captain's initiative to provide ration bags to CAREEM captains affected by the pandemic in addition to support for rations for the families of the Karachi Down Syndrome Program during the pandemic.
Partner organizations for the clothes drive include the largest institution - Akhuwat under its clothes bank initiative for distribution of clothes to those in marginalized communities. It's imperative to note, this collaboration empowers members of the transgender fraternity with an equal opportunity to work and earn their livelihoods.
Smile Sunshine has also been an esteemed cause partner of choice by Artists for Flood Relief -- a beneficiary of sales made from the campaign to carry out various welfare initiatives and to assist the underprivileged neighborhoods post urban flooding in 2020. The campaign was held internationally with contributing artists from around the world.
Smile Sunshine has also been recognized as a nominee under the The Mummy Club Awards for 2021, in addition to guest speaking opportunities at esteemed events. Alhamdulillah!
Efforts of Smile Sunshine have been acknowledged and supported by officials at META (Facebook) as well as the government of Baluchistan (Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri) and the army. Aid of 54 lacs has been disbursed through teams on ground linked with the local craft community at The Crafter’s Guild in each of the mentioned areas.
The Crafter’s Guild has also facilitated artisans through collaborations with Smile Sunshine from areas of Bhitshah, Qalat, and also Mithi.