Magic Bus works with children and young people living in poverty across 22 states of India to ensure they complete secondary education, and develop the skills required to transition successfully into the world of work. They’re one of the key charities that the Monsoon Accessorize Trust have partnered with as we strive for a bigger, better future for some of the most deprived children in Asia.

The Project

For the last 20 years, the Magic Bus has been helping thousands of children and young people in India’s poorest communities break out of poverty with an award-winning activity-based curriculum, otherwise known as their ‘Childhood to Livelihood’ programme.

In July 2017, the Monsoon Accessorize Trust began a three-year partnership with the Magic Bus. Our funding aims to reach 2,000 children in the Khoda, Trilokpuri and Ashok Nagar communities in East Delhi, providing them with the space, opportunity and equipment to play, learn and be actively supported to attend school. The children are exposed to a curriculum specifically designed to develop personal and social skills (such as team work, leadership and confidence) and prepare young people from marginalised communities for employment.

Khushi’s Story

Twelve-year-old Khushi and her younger sister Palak have been living with their grandparents in Trilokpuri, Delhi, following the death of their mother. Their grandmother, who works as a housemaid, was unable to pay the tuition fees required to send them to school, meaning neither child had any access to education. When the Magic Bus arrived in the local community, the girls’ grandmother decided to send them there for remedial classes. “We are very happy to send our girls to the Magic Bus,” she told us. “Khushi never spoke at home but she does now and regularly studies too. School fees in our area are very high and we cannot afford it with the kind of jobs that we have. The free classes at the Magic Bus help so many children and give them better futures. I will always be thankful to them.”

Khushi’s education started from scratch at the Magic Bus where she was taught basic literacy and numeracy. At first, she was shy and didn’t ask any questions but slowly started to gain more confidence. Six months later, she’s ready to enrol in mainstream schooling.

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