Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain1/9Exploring Mankhurd and getting to know some of the local people.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain2/9Walking through the streets in Mankhurd.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain3/9The parents’ meeting is an integral part of the program—children partake in Magic Bus sessions only a few hours each week, so it’s important that parents are just as involved in the journey in order to create a positive ecosystem.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain4/9One of the Magic Bus children, Shama Mooaaz, invited me into her home where her family lives in one small room with six chickens. She was so proud for me to see her home.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain5/9This is Punita Singh. Her son is now a community youth leader for Magic Bus after just 3 years of being part of the program. As a mother, it was touching to hear her speak about how her son has evolved as a leader since joining, and his work delivering Magic Bus sessions to younger children within the community.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain6/9Embroidery and embellishment is at the core of the Marchesa brand, much of which is done in communities that have been touched by Magic Bus. I was able to meet with workers in zari units who create stunning brocades through an intricate weaving process using fine gold and silver threads.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain7/9Magic Bus is a nonprofit organization that lifts communities in India out of poverty. Utilizing the power of play, activities for the kids are designed to look at local issues such as trafficking, sanitation, and continuing education, and provides them tools to find solutions to make more informed choices.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain8/9Spending time with the most amazing children from the Magic Bus program. Magic Bus sessions allow children to participate in a variety of activities based on the curriculum, which is specifically designed to look at issues the community faces such as trafficking, sanitation, and continuing education.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashima Narain / @ashimanarain9/9Walking through the streets of Mankhurd, an illegal slum in Mumbai.
