Livelihood
Magic Bus’ experience has shown that it is necessary to build the ability of the youth to make conscious decisions about their careers. The measure of this is in the livelihood options the youth are aware of and their ability to stay in a particular job for a minimum of six months. In order to enable this, Magic Bus instituted Connect in 2009. This programme has now emerged as the mandatory exit route for those who have been with Magic Bus. It seeks to link the youth with job opportunities, training courses, skill-building forums and other people and networks that will allow them to explore career options for themselves.
Some highlights:
- 49% children feel that the guidance and counseling as well as the soft skills they learn at Magic Bus would help them to get a job.
- 51% Magic Bus children now believe that they can build a career that is related to sports in some way. It is significant, that 40% among these children are girls.
- 13 youths were referred to training and skill building courses based on their interest like English speaking (Personality Development), Computer, Garment Designing, Interview skills etc.
- 9 youths were referred and placed in jobs like Elan Studio, Garment manufacturing and Salesman (Reliance Fresh). 5 youths from among 9 have started to contribute to the family and are involved in the decision making within the family.
Case study: Moharram Ali is 20 years old and is a Peer Leader at Magic Bus. He is educated till Class 8 and was struggling to find employment. He had gone for a series of interviews and had not qualified for the role simply because he had not completed Class 10. At the time, the situation at home was difficult, and he shared with the coordinator at Magic Bus, Pravina didi, that he needed to find a job and contribute to the family. Through Connect, he was linked to Kotak Livelihood Advance Business where he learned computer skills English speaking skills and the basics of marketing. He was then placed at Reliance where he works till date, doing whatever needs doing on the shop floor.
When he was asked what he thinks helped him get the job he said, “When I went to Reliance for my interview I was confident and could communicate well. I think that’s what got me the job.” Later in the conversation he shares what he thinks are his strengths- “one should be cheerful and create an atmosphere where working together is easy rather than create conflict situations. This I learned at Magic Bus.”
More stories of success are available in our Case Stories section.
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