About Us

Project SMILE is a Singapore-based, volunteer-led non-profit organisation with IPC status, dedicated to strengthening lives through empowerment, community care, and inclusive support services.

Since our founding, we’ve supported over 2,500 individual primarily women from low-income backgrounds and those aged 50 and above through emotional support, skills training, social connection, and access to essential resources.
Today, we serve adults across all life stages, with a focus on building connected, resilient communities. Our programs span art therapy, movement-based healing, skill-building workshops, peer circles, and happiness tools rooted in neuroscience all designed to foster well-being, lifelong learning, and purpose.

Grounded in compassion and powered by volunteers, Project SMILE is where transitions become strength and every adult can thrive with joy and dignity.

Our Story

Project SMILE began with a simple act of compassion.
Founder Uma Balji, a long-time community volunteer in Singapore, was deeply moved by a television program that revealed the struggles of women in distress. She and a group of friends raised $100,000 to help. When the original initiative could not receive funds, Uma partnered with LISHA (Little India Shopkeepers Association) to support vulnerable women directly. This was the beginning of Project SMILE. Evolving with Community Needs. Project SMILE started as a non-profit focused on empowering underserved women. Over time, it became clear that emotional well-being, social connection, and community support are vital for everyonenot just women in crisis.

We observed that adults of all backgrounds face similar challenges: isolation, caregiving stress, and a need for belonging. Our volunteer-led model also faced limitations without regular space or staffing, we could not scale impact or sustain participation.

These insights led us to evolve.

Today, Project SMILE offers inclusive adult programs across life stages. Our work spans art therapy, movement-based wellness, peer support circles, and skills-based workshops rooted in positive psychology and neuroscience. We help individuals build resilience, emotional strength, and everyday joy.
We remain committed to creating a more connected, compassionate Singapore, where all adults have access to community, care, and purpose.

Meet The Team

Project SMILE has always been powered by the passion and dedication of our volunteers. From planning and execution to training, admin, outreach, logistics, and public engagement our volunteers have consistently gone above and beyond to bring our mission to life.

We are proud to be a community-driven organisation that thrives on heart, collaboration, and service.

As we grow, we are evolving into a hybrid team that combines the strength of our volunteer base with professional leadership. Our new Chief Executive Officer leads this next phase ensuring that our impact remains sustainable, structured, and scalable.

Together, our volunteers and professionals form a dynamic team committed to building joyful, resilient communities across Singapore.