Menu
Meet the Founder – Sheela Booshan
I’m Sheela Booshan, founder of the Sun Smile Foundation. I come from a humble background as the daughter of an Army officer. Growing up in a disciplined, service-oriented environment deeply shaped my values and perspective on life.
By nature, I have loved helping people since childhood. I have always had a deep respect for the armed forces and the families behind them. I’ve observed that children of the forces—whether in India or elsewhere—often grow up with a strong sense of compassion and responsibility. That environment instilled in me a natural inclination to care for others and to be sensitive to the needs of those around me.
During our long train journeys to our hometowns, I would often see children my age selling snacks or small items to support their families. It was heartbreaking to see them working instead of going to school. In my parents’ hometowns, I heard stories of schools being neglected or on the verge of closing due to lack of resources. These experiences opened my eyes to the inequalities in education and planted a seed in me to do something about it.
I also remember seeing many elderly individuals near temples, quietly sitting outside and seeking help. Some shared stories of hardship and health issues. One incident that remains close to my heart was when an elderly woman from our Army neighborhood came to our home in tears, asking my parents to help her return to her native village. These were not just passing moments—they became defining memories that shaped my purpose.
At first, I focused on helping schools, supporting students’ medical needs, and caring for the elderly. But my work expanded organically as I encountered new challenges and people in need. I have known and seen many women suffering silently, but this particular incident made me realize that I needed to do something specifically to support them as well. Just before officially registering the foundation, a woman knocked on my door, trembling and broken from years of silent domestic abuse. That encounter inspired me to include support for domestic violence survivors in our mission.
I wanted to help people, and many such real-life encounters kindled my dream—to support students who deserve an equal chance, to care for our elderly with dignity, and to give survivors of violence the support they need to rebuild their lives.
In December 2023, I officially launched the Sun Smile Foundation, a nonprofit built from years of hands-on service and a lifelong commitment to compassion. Our mission is to create a brighter future through education, healing, and empowerment—one smile at a time.
