We work with 2.5 lakh children, that's the best motivation to keep going: Matthew Spacie

What is Magic Bus’ model of development?Our aim is to ensure that children move out of poverty. Our model of development works with children and their communities for a long time, walking with them on a journey from childhood to livelihood. In the  last 14 years, we have built a focus on low investment–high impact programming, which has ensured that our programme can be adopted by the national and state governments easily.A lot of charities fund education for street children. What is Magic Bus doing differently?It’s a classic difference of giving-them-fish versus teaching-them-how-to-fish. We work closely to build children’s abilities of accessing the opportunities available to them to make the shift from poverty. The other difference is our curriculum, which uses activities and sports to create and maintain a high degree of involvement among children. With its sports-dominated approach, how does Magic Bus ensure to strike a balance between play and academics?The approach is development-oriented. It builds a child’s own sense of what is achievable. It also teaches valuable life skills. It comes in as an essential, attractive magnet to keep the focus on learning. Our curriculum helps provide framework and skills to make choices, handle responsibilities, value and care for themselves and others. What is Magic Bus’ plan for India in the next three years?We want to expand our work with the state and central governments and corporate houses to ensure at least a million children access our programme.What is a major change you have seen since you started Magic Bus in 1999?Popular support for the cause of children has grown exponentially. Today, people feel investing in children is a part of nation building.What is that one thing that ensures kids stay in school?What needs to change is the long-term perspective. In 15 years time there will be 423 million Indians of working age unemployed and the majority will be uneducated, less healthy and highly marginalised.  Unless we work with a sense of urgency on equipping children with formal education, the country’s move from poverty is not going to be an automatic one.What motivated you to give up your corporate job and set up a non-profit organisation?Just the scope India offers you is phenomenal. My experience as part of India’s National Rugby Team,  taught me that young adults can be the best teachers. I witnessed how with our training, they were able to deliver our behavioural change programme they themselves become the best role models — the heroes for children living in their slum. We have developed 8,000, community leaders and we work with 2,50,000 children and that is the best motivation to keep going.