Khushi's Story - A Guiding Light
“In the midst of an early marriage, my dreams of a bright career seemed lost. But then, like a guiding light in the darkest tunnel, the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme illuminated my path to hope and opportunity,” exclaimed Khushi, her voice filled with gratitude and determination.
Growing up in India’s state of Bihar, Khushi witnessed the challenges faced by women in her community that were dependent on their husbands. She dreamt of supporting her family by finding a job and earning her own money. However, Khushi’s parents both came from a conservative background, and strongly believed that an early marriage and a husband were what would secure her future.
Khushi became one of millions of young women across India forced into an early marriage. But Khushi remained determined that she would not become another statistic.
Khushi’s opportunity came when she, her husband, and her mother and father in-law, moved to South Delhi in search of better opportunities after the hardships of the COVID-19 lockdowns. There, Khushi learned about the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme, and the opportunities that it offered her. Despite firm insistence from her in-laws that their daughter-in-law should be a housewife, and endless criticism from people in her community, Khushi joined the Livelihood Programme, with encouragement from both her husband and from Magic Bus.
Over the next two months, Khushi developed the skills that would not only help her to find a job, but to succeed in the workplace. She learned how to improve her communications skills, work with a team, how to use a computer, speak basic English, how to write a CV and succeed in an interview. Thanks to all of this training and support, Khushi was able to pass a rigorous selection process and secure herself a highly coveted sales executive position at a local fintech firm, with a salary that will allow her to fulfil her lifelong goal of supporting her family.
Today, Khushi exudes confidence and joy as she thrives in her job, a testament to all her hard work and determination, and to the life-changing opportunities offered by the Magic Bus Livelihood Programme.
“The training has had a profound impact on my confidence. Magic Bus has equipped me with invaluable problem-solving and communication skills. The Magic Bus Livelihood Programme has truly been my guiding light.”