1. Evidence on sports as a catalyst for
social change
Presentation by
MAGIC BUS INDIA FOUNDATION
MONDAY, 26 November 2012
Ranchi
MAIDAN SUMMIT 2012
www.maidan.in

2. “Sport has the power to change the world. It
has the power to inspire. It has the power to
unite people in a way that little else does.
Sport can awaken hope where there was
previously only despair. Sport speaks to
people in a language they can understand.”
Nelson Mandela
-

3. WHO WE ARE
• Set up in 1999, Magic Bus works with marginalised communities
• Our work reaches across India‘s slums, villages and tribal areas
 About 250,000 children are actively participating in our programme
• 8000 Community Youth Leaders (volunteers) deliver our sport and
activity based curriculum through weekly mentoring sessions
• About 725 staff facilitate the programme delivery
• Impact areas include Education, Gender, Health, Leadership and
Livelihood
• Offices in 25 Indian cities and towns in ten states
• Fundraising offices in 5 countries

4. The journey so far
• 1999 - Founded by Matthew Spacie reaching 350 kids 200,000
• 2002 - Development of age based curriculum children
• 2008 - Moving out of Mumbai – UNICEF partnership
• 2010 - Launch of National Programme.
• 2011 – MOU with GOI
1999 2002 2004 2008 2009 2010 2011

5. The way we use sports
 As a tool for engagement with
target groups
 As a metaphor for learning
 Creating a whole set of
activities that are fun,
engaging and meaningful
 Using local youth as role
models and mentors
 Designing activities that
integrate local games, culture,
ideas
 Using many different sports

6. The social change underway
 Girls participation – 42%
 Volunteer engagement – creation of social capital
 Community and institutional engagement
 Changes being seen across several domains
 Integration with govt. local bodies, NGOs, PRIs etc. for
sustaining development
 Creating a body of evidence on S4D

7. The Evidence
 95.7% of the children have an attendance record of over 80%.
 98% of the adolescent girls at Magic Bus are in secondary school.
 92% of children believe that girls and boys have an equal capacity to excel
in sports.
 82% of children feel that sports are as important for boys as for girls
 82.7% believe that it is equally important to invest in a girl’s as well as a
boy’s future.
 77.52% of children follow good practices related to personal hygiene
including hand washing, brushing, bathing and cutting nails.
 94% of parents feel that their children observe food-related hygiene such
as washing vegetables and fruits before cooking or eating.
 82.66% of the girls know about correct menstrual hygiene practices.

8. Evidence contd……
 92% of children know that condoms prevent HIV infection.
 62.07% are aware that the right age to begin childbearing is 21
 77.78% children know the difference between good and bad touch
 In Mumbai,9 out of 10 children are first-generation learners getting
into higher education or jobs.
 92.42% of school teachers and Principals felt that S4D sessions help
a child develop self-awareness and control and improves her/his
decision-making skills.
 98% school teachers, including Principals, felt that S4D sessions are
fun, and help strengthen inter-personal relationships, enhance
teamwork, and help children realize their potential.
 97% youth have taken up issues in their community and worked on
resolving them.

9. Other impact areas
 Improved Fitness and health
 Development of Life skills
 Right to play
 Improved self esteem, self
efficacy
 Inclusion of all sections of
society
 Identification of hidden sporting
talent

10. Unique attributes of Sports
 Very Impactful
 Very scalable
 Extremely cost effective
 Very engaging for all target groups
 Ensures participation even in the long
run
 Volunteer led models possible
 Can be easily customised
 Can easily dovetail with existing
programmes/schemes
 It is all in the approach

11. THANK YOU