Magic Bus was set up in 1999 to provide hope and a better future for children who are living in extreme poverty in India, where over 11 million children are living in the slums or streets and 50% of these are physically or sexually abused.  Children in the streets and slums are often considered of little value and disregarded by society. Magic Bus works to change this and find the potential and abilities within each child, empowering them to build strong and aware communities free of religious and caste prejudice and gender divides. It believes in the child’s right to a positive future in which they make their own choices and take responsibility for change.

This is achieved through the medium of sport and the use of positive role models. In weekly sports sessions, day trips and annual outdoor activity camps children become aware of their own abilities and the world around them. This awareness turns into a belief that they can make a difference, which provides them with a purpose in life.  Children choose to go to school, give up drugs, fight against child marriage and find employment.  Magic Bus has been running for 10 years, supported over 60,000 7 to 18 year olds and now operates in Mumbai, rural Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and New Delhi working with 140,000 children and youth a year.