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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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