Project India 2010

The Joanna Brown Trust will begin its first international project in February 2010 in Mumbai, India. The project will see the Trust fund the construction of a dormitory at an outdoor activity centre for children.

The Centre for Learning and Development is run by Magic Bus, a charity set up in 1999 to empower children with positive experiences while discovering and developing through sport. Magic Bus gives hope of a better future to children living in some of the most marginalised circumstances across India.

In October 2006, Magic Bus opened its Centre 75km from central Mumbai. Set in a naturally beautiful and secluded area, it is equipped with state of the art climbing walls, high and low ropes courses, a watersports centre and sports pitches. The Centre offers programmes to over 3,000 children each year and Magic Bus's trained mentors use team building games to teach social and development skills. These include the importance of gender equality, problem-solving, decision-making, respect for others and communication.

To open its doors to more children, Magic Bus needs to construct an additional dormitory at the Centre. This will accommodate 24-26 children and provide a safe and comfortable environment for the children to sleep, change and wash after each day’s activity and learning. Magic Bus estimates an additional 2,250 children every year will be able to participate in its programmes. Many of the children who visit the Centre are from Dharavi, one of the largest slums in Asia and the most densely populated in the world. Participation in the Magic Bus programmes makes a lasting impact on their lives by empowering them to discover their true potential and find a purpose in life.

The Joanna Brown Trust will fund the construction of the dormitory, at a cost of £25,000. Work is due to start in February 2010 with completion scheduled for autumn 2010. Progress updates will be available during construction and, once complete, the dormitory will bear a The Joanna Brown Trust plaque.

India is a natural choice for the Trust's first overseas project because of the desperate lack of facilities and opportunities available to so many of its inhabitants. Although a UN declared ideal that every child has the right to play, only 6% of under 35s in India have access to organised sport and games. One-third of India's population of over one billion live below the poverty line and two –thirds of children in India are victims of physical abuse. Magic Bus's programmes work towards inspiring India’s youth to take responsibility and change their communities sustainably.

Magic Bus aims to be sustainable by running the Centre as a social enterprise. It attracts companies and international schools to use the Centre as a training facility when the normal Magic Bus programmes are not being run. All revenue generated in this way is channelled back into running the core Magic Bus programmes with children living in poverty.

Matthew Spacie, Founder and CEO of Magic Bus said "With the support of the Joanna Brown Trust, we will be able to construct a safe space for children to develop and grow to reach their potential. We are deeply grateful for this significant contribution and it will make a lasting impact on the lives of children living in poverty in India."

"Supporting Magic Bus fits exactly with our aim of encouraging young people in sport," said Helen Hagan of The Joanna Brown Trust. "We hope this is one of many opportunities to extend the reach of the Trust beyond the areas in which Joanna lived and worked. Thousands of Mumbai children will come to associate Joanna Brown's name with a top quality sports facility and without this investment, this would never be possible. We know that Jo would approve 100% of our support of this worthwhile cause."

Fundraising for this project will begin shortly with events around the country. For more information please continue to check the website.