Smithi Manickam – The Adventurer Helping Others Reach New Heights

Smithi’s passion for empowering others began over a decade ago when she first volunteered with Bhumi in college, teaching dance and music to underprivileged kids. She relished the opportunity to organise cultural events that allowed these children to showcase their talents beyond academics.

From playing frisbee at an international level to participating in adrenaline-pumping motorbike races, Smithi Manickam’s zest for life extends far beyond her day job as Recruitment Manager for the Bhumi Fellowship program in Bhumi This thrill-seeker’s incredible journey showcases how stepping out of your comfort zone can open new doors.

Smithi’s passion for empowering others began over a decade ago when she first volunteered with Bhumi in college, teaching dance and music to underprivileged kids. She relished the opportunity to organise cultural events that allowed these children to showcase their talents beyond academics.

“Giving students a chance to pursue their passions, get recognition and awards – that’s something really special Bhumi does,” Smithi reflects. Her eyes light up recounting the joy of leading Nakshatra, one such mega event she spearheaded as a volunteer in 2015 which she calls “One of my happiest experiences.”

After a quality stint in corporate following graduation, Smithi felt called to return to Bhumi’s transformative work. She credits the connections she built over years of volunteering, like with co-founder Vaishnavi Srinivasan, for helping facilitate her transition to joining as a full-time employee on the recruitment team.

In this role, Smithi is particularly proud of the Bhumi Fellowship program that deploys change-makers to underserved schools to drive holistic improvement - from teaching to parent engagement to sustainable school operations. She’s witnessed firsthand how the fellowship cultivates aspiration and agency in communities.

She used to see kids who couldn’t speak a full sentence of English, but are now managing teams at diverse organizations, Smithi shares. When you provide the right exposure and opportunities, you unleash their potential to grow exponentially, according to her.

This belief that individuals can transform their circumstances given the proper ecosystem stems from Smithi’s experiences with inclusive sports like frisbee. She’s played nationals and represented India at four international tournaments, alongside teammates from diverse backgrounds - fishermen, doctors, actors and more.

The camaraderie and personal development Smithi experienced through frisbee is what she aims to create for the youth joining Bhumi’s fellowship. From mentoring them on professional skills like resume writing to encouraging work-life balance, she strives to empower fellows with a holistic supportive community.

“I love seeing people grow,” says Smithi. For her, if somebody she is mentoring gets an appreciation or opportunity because of her guidance, that gives her immense happiness – more than any promotion.

Looking ahead, Smithi hopes to inspire change by continuing to lead by example and expanding her sphere of influence, whether that’s introducing friends to Bhumi’s work or finally conquering her bucket list dream of bungee jumping in New Zealand.

There’s no use complaining about issues if you’re not going to contribute towards a solution, she states matter-of-factly. With a miraculous ability to maintain a balance between high-octane adventures and driving impact, Smithi Manickam is undoubtedly doing her part to propel progress.