Dharavi: First Steps Inside Mumbai’s Most Resilient Community
magsons
November 23, 2025
Dharavi is a place of extraordinary contrasts. It is a community full of resilience, ambition, and vibrant energy—yet its children face daily struggles most of us can hardly imagine. Narrow lanes, congested homes, and limited sanitation facilities shape everyday life for thousands of families.
Walking through these lanes with the Magic Bus team, I saw first-hand how poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life—education, health, nutrition, and safety.
Our first stop was one of the Community Learning Centres supported by Magic Bus. Here, enthusiastic groups of children were engaged in activities run by dedicated mentors who give their heart and soul to this programme. Despite the tough environment, the children’s smiles, curiosity, and hunger to learn were truly uplifting.
Magic Bus currently supports 1,200 children in Dharavi, and seeing these young minds at work made me realise how essential this programme is. Many come from homes where education isn’t always prioritised—not due to lack of care, but because survival often comes first.
As inspiring as the visit was, it was impossible to ignore the difficulties these children face:
These are not numbers—they are lived experiences for the children we met.
What stood out most was the dedication of the 11 staff members who run the Dharavi programme. Their work is truly transformational. Through structured learning, mentoring, sports, and life skills development, they are helping children stay in school, build confidence, and see opportunities beyond their circumstances.
After witnessing the situation personally, I left Dharavi with a renewed commitment. The need for support is urgent. The programme must continue—not just for the 1,200 children currently enrolled, but for the many more who are waiting for a chance.
This visit strengthened Magsons Foundation’s resolve to work closely with Magic Bus and begin raising the necessary funds to help sustain and expand the Dharavi project.
My visit to Dharavi was deeply humbling. It reminded me that every child has dreams, potential, and the desire to rise above hardship. With the right support, they can.
Magic Bus is helping them take that journey—and with our collective effort, we can help them go even further.
After a successful career running multiple businesses, Harish has devoted his life to charitable work. He now leads humanitarian projects across some of the world’s poorest regions, building schools, running orphanages, and providing food and education for children.
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