“Change cannot be brought about in a moment. Behind any change lies the struggle of thousands of people, and we must work together to bring about change in our community. It is our duty to remain committed to this cause.” Jyoti Sharma, Community Youth Leader, MBIF

"Seeing those adolescents run towards us, expecting essentials, was the moment I knew I had to act," recounts Jyoti Sharma, a Community Youth Leader (CYL) with Magic Bus India Foundation in Ajmer, Rajasthan. During a visit to a local underserved community with her sister, Jyoti was struck by the plight of adolescents who were more concerned about surviving each day rather than completing their education. This eye-opening encounter marked the beginning of her unwavering commitment to social work and propelled her into the heart of community service.

Jyoti joined MBIF as a CYL in 2018 and has been a part of our mission ever since. Her journey, fuelled by the desire to see adolescents escape the cycle of poverty through education, has been nothing short of inspirational. She devoted her time to teaching basic literacy to adolescents who were deprived of formal education due to poverty. Jyoti also mentored and guided numerous adolescents to join and actively participate in Magic Bus’ Adolescent Programme and the Nav Bharat Literacy project, in order to complete their education. She spent time encouraging them to practice life skills of Decision Making, Problem Solving, Assertiveness and Communication to face life’s adversities with resilience and stay on track to complete their education.

Jyoti's dedication to social change through Magic Bus, was further recognised when she was one of three MBIF CYLs selected for the 'Changelooms – Changemaker' National Fellowship Programme. Conceived in 2005, Changelooms is an 18-month fellowship that provides a space to nurture leadership qualities and mentor young Social Entrepreneurs. The fellowship also supports them in developing their ideas into social change initiatives in the space of positive climate action.

Through the fellowship and with the support of MBIF, Jyoti spearheaded several initiatives that not only left a sustainable impact on the climate but also ignited a spirit of climate action in the minds of young people in her community. Noting that the school had vast empty plots of land but no safe demarcated space for adolescents to play, she took up the challenge of transforming the barren grounds into a lush green playground.

Her next project was to develop a kitchen garden for the school. From conducting awareness sessions with adolescents to seeking approvals from the school officials and the local municipal council, procuring saplings and setting up the kitchen garden, Jyoti led each step with diligence. With the help of 20 adolescents, she planted 80 saplings and created a flourishing kitchen garden, which provided vegetables for the school’s mid-day meals. By involving young people in the process of creating change, Jyoti created valuable learning experiences for the community.

Jyoti’s remarkable contributions have led her to the international stage, where she was invited to speak at the International Conference & POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action in New Delhi. There, she shared her belief in the power of collective effort and commitment to bring about community change. Jyoti Sharma's story is a testament to the impact one individual can have on their community and beyond.

At Magic Bus, we believe in the power of our Community Youth Leaders (CYLs) like Jyoti, who work tirelessly to mobilise, sensitise, and educate communities. They are the heart of our Community Engagement Programme, striving to ensure a supportive environment for adolescents to thrive. As CYLs belong to the communities they work in, they can easily identify the core issues to be tackled, form strong connections with community members to rally support and conduct interventions that leave a deeper impact. Just like Jyoti Sharma, our CYLs embody the essence of Magic Bus' mission, and showcase how dedication, innovation, and community engagement can transform lives and environments. Let their stories inspire us to take action, embrace leadership, and commit to creating a better future for all.