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MANTAShA ShEIkh:

A Tale of Resilience & Transformation

Mantasha grew up in a small hut in Vikhroli, a suburb
of Mumbai, where she lived with her parents and
two younger siblings. Her father, who sold toys
outside a railway station, was the family’s only
earning member. For many years, she had dreamed of
someday securing a better future for herself and her
family but despite having completed her 12th grade,
she had no idea how to secure a formal job.
As Mantasha hails from a marginalised community
where girls face numerous restrictions, her parents
planned to get her married once she turned 18. She
knew that the only way to change their minds was to
support herself.

Magic Bus met with Mantasha during a Livelihood
Programme mobilisation drive in her neighbourhood.
The organization’s team explained the need for
certain job skills to secure and retain employment.
Convincing her parents to allow her to join the
programme was a big challenge. Through several “My family is so proud of
counselling sessions with her parents, the NGO’s me as I am the first female
team explained the benefits of the programme and
persuaded them to enroll her in the programme. earning in my family. I
can confidently converse

Over the course of two months, Mantasha learned with my colleagues and
21st century life skills along with essential customers in English, which
employability skills. The NGO trainers also prepared I thought I would never be
her for job interviews through mock-interview able to do. I feel empowered
sessions. She struggled with learning digital literacy and independent. Without
as she had no prior knowledge but with diligent
practice, her skills steadily improved. this programme, I would
Over two months, Magic Bus India Foundation works with each youth, skilling them as per their unique needs Initially, she was quiet and reserved. As the sessions have never been able to
and helping them build aspirations. A significant number of youth from underserved communities do not have progressed, the transformation in Mantasha was achieve my dreams of
clear aspirations due to a lack of knowledge, confidence, and career awareness. To help them navigate the evident and she began to participate in discussions. supporting my family,”
challenges they may face on their journey towards employment, the programme provides them with interview After completing the training, Magic Bus India shares Mantasha.
preparation, mentoring, job placement support and even post-placement support. Foundation connected her to several job interviews,
and she was selected at Beyond Enough.
Magic Bus India Foundation’s Connect With Work programme is conducted in colleges, with the primary
objective of ensuring first-time graduate job seekers from underserved households have access to job
opportunities. After 24 hours of basic skilling spread over one week, the NGO provides them with mentoring
support for 12 months to ensure their continuity and sustenance in their job.

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