Create 4000 high school graduates in India

12-year- old Divya lives in Shanker Nagar in Jaipur, a hilly area surrounded by the historic forts of Nahargarh and Amber. Home to Koli Mahawars, a Scheduled Caste (SC) group, Shanker Nagar’s residents are mostly unskilled workers.
 
Divya's father is a plumber and mother, a homemaker. The family's monthly income is just Rs. 5000. Divya is in the sixth standard of a local private school. “I want to be a doctor. People in my community laugh it off saying I can do no better than my father. But I know I will prove them wrong,” she asks.

Divya joined Magic Bus a year ago.

“Most people living in Shanker Nagar work as unskilled labourers. Alcoholism is common,” says Magic Bus’ District Programme Manager, Neelima. Divya recalls an incident related to alcoholism: “Once during a Magic Bus session, a man approached a girl in my group and asked her to 'play with him behind the trees'. Our Magic Bus Bhaiya and Didi immediately intervened. I, too, protested and asked the man to back off. I did not feel afraid to stand up to a man twice my age. Such incidents are common, but we have learned to take a stand to protect ourselves.”

Given the general situation as well as the low levels of education in the community, Divya's dream of being a doctor is often laughed off as an impractical and impossible dream. "I am repeatedly reminded that I am 'just a plumber's daughter',” she says.

But rather than let such comments get to her, Divya has learnt to fight back. “Ever since I joined Magic Bus, my confidence levels have soared. With my mentors’ support, I have stood up to people who look down upon my dream to become a doctor. I have decided to not tolerate discrimination”, she says. She sees changes in other children too: “Children who would earlier say demeaning things to each other, or behave rudely, have changed their ways after joining Magic Bus. We also completely shun alcohol and substance abuse."

Divya’s mother testifies how her daughter is always excited about what she learns at the Magic Bus sessions. “She says she gets to know so many things there. She has also become a leader. She makes sure none of the children miss a session," shares her mother.

Before signing off, Divya has some question: “We learnt at Magic Bus that a girl is no less than a boy. Then why should she not go to school? Why should child marriage be her only option?” 

Across the country, as many as 173331 girls are asking questions like Divya. Questions that ultimately link to girls' rights to a safe, well-cared for, and healthy childhood.