
How Smile Project was born
Smile Project ODV is a charity created by Elsa Michael, African by birth and Italian by adoption, together with her family, who have always been actively involved in the project. Anna Funticova, wife of Elsa’s son, is co-founder, partner, and involved in the daily management of the activities.
Elsa was born in Asmara and grew up in a children’s shelter until she was 16 years old. She left her hometown with dreams of a better future. Thanks to her studies, work, and perseverance, she’s become the successful woman she is today.
For this reason, Elsa understands first-hand how important it is to ensure adequate education and social and health circumstances for children. These include: school, clean water, food, energy, and education for all children. Elsa hopes one day other children can also have a better future.
Through her experience in raising funds, Elsa was able to improve the well-being of children, young mothers, and weak individuals in her country. Elsa knows that spreading awareness of her home country and its current situation is a vital step to bringing about change. With the spread of knowledge to the world, step by step, Elsa can restore fundamental structures in which children, women, and the weak live, carry out education, training, and care activities.
With the cooperation of the Eritrean Government, Elsa has created a support project that guarantees better conditions. By means of structural interventions and the use of machinery, self-sufficient and sustenance facilities can be created for children and families. These facilities will provide housing and care to children a few weeks old up until adolescence and to young mothers and weak individuals.

Smile Project ODV by Elsa Michael
Smile Project ODV by Elsa Michael is a non-profit association with the aim of carrying out charitable activities in relation to facilities for minors and associations in Eritrea.
Through targeted and concrete aid, the Smile Project promotes and supports projects of solidarity, livelihood and social development. We commit ourselves to Eritrea to save and guarantee a future for children.
Smile Project ODV by Elsa Michael
Smile Project ODV by Elsa Michael is a non-profit association with the aim of carrying out charitable activities in relation to facilities for minors and associations in Eritrea.
Through targeted and concrete aid, the Smile Project promotes and supports projects of solidarity, livelihood and social development. We commit ourselves to Eritrea to save and guarantee a future for children…