Magic Bus India Foundation received the prestigious Mahatma Award for Social Good 2020 on January 30, 2021. Inspired by the spirit of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Mahatma Award celebrates social impact leaders and change-makers across the globe. Through its Childhood to Livelihood programme, Magic Bus works with 400,000 children and 35000 young people across India, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to move out of poverty.

 “We are honoured to win the Mahatma Award. Over the last two decades, Magic Bus has been working relentlessly, impacting the lives of more than 1 million children and young people.  We continue to envision a world where children complete their secondary education and attain employability skills that equip them for stable livelihoods, to contribute positively to their community and to the world around them. It is truly thrilling and gratifying when our efforts and initiatives get recognised”, says Mr Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus.

Magic Bus is now also working on a COVID-19 Crisis Recovery programme that aims to secure the livelihoods of 2,00,000 families in rural and urban areas through access to entitlements and government schemes, programmes and placement in jobs in the organised sector in urban areas. This in turn will ensure 3,00,000 children from these families facing economic distress, who are at risk of dropping out, are back in school, are regular and intent on completing formal education. 

About Magic Bus

From 3000 children in 1999 in Mumbai, Magic Bus has transformed the lives of over one million children and young people living in poverty, taking them from a childhood full of challenges to a life with meaningful livelihoods. Magic Bus is one of the largest poverty alleviation programmes in India, impacting 4,00,000 children and 35,000 young people in 22 states and 81 districts. We deliver sessions in close to 1363 schools and in 1961 communities. Since the Livelihood programme began in 2015, we have over 50 livelihood skilling centres and 7 entrepreneurship incubation centres in high-need strategic locations in India. Through these livelihood centers, more than 35,000 young men and women have been trained and more than 70% placed in jobs in the organised sector with an average salary of INR 12000. Magic Bus also works in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar with 8912 children in 40 communities and 31 schools. We have networking and fundraising offices in the US, UK, Singapore and Germany.