The Blossom Bus: Help Rural Girls Get To School!

The Blossom Bus: Transforming Education for Girls

Now in its 15th year, the Blossom Bus program continues to break barriers, enabling an ever-increasing number of girls to attend class in grades 9 through 12 in our target schools! The impact is profound, as evidenced by our students' exceptional academic achievements.

Outstanding Exam Results

We are thrilled to share the remarkable results of our students' previous year's examinations. Every Blossom Bus rider from grades 9-11 passed their exams, while an impressive 99% of students in Hathin and 83% in Solra Senior Secondary School succeeded in their year 12 State level Board exams! The highest score among our students was an extraordinary 91%, showcasing how potential that blossoms with support. 

Tanshu's Journey: A Story of Determination and Dreams

Meet Tanshu, a shining star at Hathin school, whose journey embodies the transformative power of education. Living 3km from school, Tanshu has been riding the Blossom Bus since the 6th grade. Her father is a shopkeeper, and she lives with her parents, one brother, and three sisters. The opportunities provided by her school, especially access to STEM subjects, have been pivotal in her educational journey.

"I am very grateful for the STEM program at my school, which has been a huge part of my academic journey. I’ve enjoyed learning through projects like the volcano models and the smart class projector that makes lessons feel real. My first experience in a science lab was in 8th grade when I teamed up with a friend to create a kaleidoscope using three glass sheets. Without the bus service, I would not have been able to continue attending school in 8th grade, let alone studying STEM subjects!"

Tanshu's ambition is to work in the judiciary after taking the Indian Civil Service Exam. Despite financial challenges, she remains undeterred in her pursuit of education, seeing it as a key to improving her life and contributing to society.

We recently visited Tanshu in the well-equipped science lab at Hathin girl's senior secondary school, a testament to the success of the Blossom Bus. Education department funding is linked to student numbers, and the provision of safe transport ensures better funding for schools with the increased enrollment Blossom Bus provides.

BACKGROUND - CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Girls in India face significant barriers to education, including inadequate water and hygiene infrastructure at schools, household duties, high incidences of child marriage, and safety issues while traveling to school. According to a report by NCPCR, 39.4% of girls aged 15-18 are out of school, and 57% drop out before reaching the 11th grade. Additionally, 27% of girls in India are married before the age of 18.

Recognizing these challenges, the Blossom Bus program was initiated in 2010 to provide safe and affordable transportation for village girls in Haryana and Rajasthan. Without bus services, many girls drop out after grade 8 due to the distance from their villages to school.

Over the past 14 years, we have transported over 1500 unique students. This year alone, Blossom Bus ensured that 525 children remained in school with regular attendance, paving the way for brighter futures.

CALL TO ACTION

The journey of Tanshu and many others underscores the critical need for programs like Blossom Bus. With your support, we can continue to empower more girls, ensuring they have the education and opportunities they deserve. 

We hope you will consider becoming a recurring donor. For the price of one cappuccino a month, you can transform a girl's life. 

Join us in making a difference—one ride at a time.

Links:

• Lotus Outreach Website
• Instagram