The Blossom Bus: Help Rural Girls Get To School!

UNICEF India reports that almost 50% of children in primary school (50 million children) are below proficiency in English and Mathematics. These children, most of whom attend government schools, lack the foundation they need while entering lower secondary school and therefore are more likely to drop out early. Not having safe and reliable transport to school has a significant impact on learning outcomes for these children and there are very few free government school bus services across the country. For girls and young women, the risk of sexual harassment, especially in remote, rural areas, is very real, causing many parents to opt out of sending their children to school at all. 

Over the course of 2022-23 the program provided 696 scholars transport to schools and colleges across three states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. 596 are young women from Haryana and Rajasthan and the other 100 attend elementary school at our partner school, Garden of Peace, in Tamil Nadu. By ensuring students' safe and reliable transportation to and from school each day, families can support their education, and with role models all around, the sky is the limit for what these young people can achieve. Below, we are delighted to share the thoughts of one of the Blossom Bus students from Haryana. We are inspired by her thoughtful and clear responses.

Krishna is 16 years old and studies in 9th grade. Her father, Gulab, alternates between driving a pick-up truck and working field labor, while her mother's mental health confines her to their home. Krishna is responsible for many household chores, but she manages to complete her studies as well. She is motivated in her studies and dreams of becoming a teacher. 

When asked about the impact of the Blossom Bus on her life, Krishna shares, "Our school is quite far, and walking was a challenge. The journey was riddled with obstacles - potholes, seasonal difficulties, and safety concerns. If some of us couldn't make it to school, the rest were discouraged from going, too. The Blossom Bus changed all of that. Our parents were relieved to see us going to school without any hindrances."

When asked if girls can do everything that boys can, Krishna's response is firm and confident. "In terms of freedom and capability, girls can definitely do what boys can. It's the opportunities that we lack, not the ability. The prevailing mindset is incorrect. Girls are being deprived of their right to study and work in cities if they wish to. I wish to change the mindset of people, especially my parents. They should give their daughters the freedom to pursue what they want. That's the change I'd like to see."

Thank you for supporting girls like Krishna on the Blossom Bus. 

In the 2022/23 academic year, all Blossom Busses hired staff to ride to school with the students each morning. Their job is to monitor attendance and make sure girls are getting on the bus, but also to act as older mentors, to inspire, encourage and support students to value their education and opportunities and to dream big. All our mentors are local young women and former Blossom Bus students, who have graduated and gone on to pursue further education and careers. Babita and Amita are sisters, and are two of the mentors for the Blossom Bus program. Babita is 25 years old and completed her master's degree in 2021. Her younger sister, Amita, 23, is  currently a first-year master's student. Both sisters share the common goal of becoming teachers. Their family has struggled financially with only a single income, as their father was in an accident that left him incapacitated. They have remained at home to help their family and currently live with their parents and four other siblings.

The Blossom Bus contractor Balbir knew of their situation, and recommended Babita and Amita for the job, as they were in need of a stable and consistent income in the village, and he knew them from 2013, when they were students riding on the bus. Balbir stated “Babita and Amita were in need of work and I couldn’t think of anyone better for the positions as these girls have been one of our oldest bus riders”. 

They were thrilled to take up the job, as it not only provided them with a stable income but also gave them the chance to mentor and guide the young girls on the bus. 

Even with their family’s financial situation, their father was at first reluctant to let them work. For Babita and Amita, however, their work was not just about taking attendance; it was about being a role model for other girls in their community. They were determined to show that every girl has the right to receive an education and live her dream, no matter what the circumstances. They were inspired at the opportunity to mentor these young women, as a stepping stone to their aspirations of becoming teachers. Their father finally agreed that they could work for Blossom Bus. 

On the bus, they discuss careers, family issues, and other topics with the girls, encouraging them to make thoughtful choices and have clear goals. We have seen the positive impact amongst students and are happy to be able to provide Babita and Amita this opportunity, so that they may stay committed to their dreams, even in the face of challenges and uncertainty. We hope that they may inspire the next generation of Blossom Bus riders to be equally determined and steadfast in their right to an education and their potential to affect change in their communities.