To understand the programme of Magic Bus and the fundamental nature of its remit, it is crucial to understand the environment of our youth and children. It is essential to become aware of the nature of their living conditions. At Magic Bus we work with children living in some of the most at-risk and marginalised circumstances in the world, aged between 7 and 21 years.

We are socially inclusive and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, caste or religion.

Our children live in some of the following environments:

• In pavement dwellings

• In slum communities

• In rescue homes or institutions 

• In the red light district

• On the streets

• In tribal villages

 Our children have to deal with some of the following difficulties:

• Working for up to 5 hours a day, some on extensive household chores, others to earn and supplement the family income

• Having to run households and look after siblings on top of trying to attend municipal schools

• Gender discrimination

• Different physical and psychological abilities

• Exploitation – both physical and sexual

• Unhygienic living conditions

• Malnutrition

• Exposure to drugs, crime and prostitution

Magic Bus strongly encourages children to value education and therefore attend school. The majority of our children are enrolled in school. However, a large proportion find attendance very difficult to maintain due to their living circumstances and due to pressures to earn and support the family.

To read stories about some of our children click here.