Give a girl a bike: help her to go to school

In rural areas, long distances to school and lack of affordable transportation are some of the biggest barriers to girls' education. Many girls are forced to walk several kilometers each day, often arriving late, exhausted, or dropping out altogether. This not only affects their academic performance but also limits their confidence and future opportunities. The Freedom on Wheels project helps remove these barriers by providing girls with a simple yet powerful tool - a bicycle. With it, they can reach school on time, conserve energy for learning, and continue their education with dignity and hope. 

Samruddhi’s Story

I am Samruddhi, a Class 9 student at the girls’ school in Mohi. My parents are farm labourers, working in others’ fields to earn a living. Our financial situation has always been difficult. Before, I used to walk a long distance to school every day. The commute took up a lot of time and left me with very little energy or time to study at home. Often, I would arrive late and miss important lessons. Receiving a bicycle from the Mann Deshi Foundation has truly changed my life. Now, I reach school on time, get more time to study, and the physical activity of cycling keeps me healthy and refreshed. This small act of support has made my educational journey easier, happier, and healthier. I am sincerely grateful to Mann Deshi for recognizing the challenges of rural girls and stepping in to support us.

Snehal’s Story

My name is Snehal, and I live in Gangoti village. I’m currently in Class 9, living with my mother and younger brother. My parents are daily wage workers, and we’ve always struggled financially. For years, I walked three kilometers to school every day. The long walk left me exhausted, and slowly, I started losing interest in studies. Buying a bicycle was out of the question for us. Then one day, a didi from the Mann Deshi Foundation came to our school and spoke to girls like me who walk from faraway villages. Soon after, I received a free bicycle. That moment changed my life. I no longer arrive late, I am less tired, and I can focus better on schoolwork. I feel more confident, and new dreams are beginning to take shape in my mind. Where no one else reached, Mann Deshi did - quietly, effectively, and with great care. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for helping girls like me build a brighter future.

Shivani’s Story

I’m Shivani from Zhagde Vasti near Mhaswad. Every day, I walked three kilometers to school, which was exhausting. My parents are daily wage labourers, and we simply couldn’t afford to buy a bicycle. This daily struggle started affecting my studies. I lost precious time and often felt too tired to focus or even continue going to school regularly. Then came a turning point - Mann Deshi Foundation distributed 100 free bicycles to girls like me. It was a huge moment. Suddenly, I could reach school on time, study more, and most importantly, travel without fear or fatigue. Receiving the bicycle brought freedom and pride. While many government schemes fail to reach girls in small communities like mine, Mann Deshi understood our needs and acted. I’m proud and grateful to Mann Deshi for giving me this opportunity. This one bicycle has transformed my life and given me the strength to chase my dreams again.

Thanks to your generous support, hundreds of girls like Samruddhi, Snehal, and Shivani are now attending school regularly, dreaming bigger, and moving confidently toward brighter futures.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your contribution is changing lives - one bicycle, one girl, one dream at a time.

Links:

• KickStart Girls Website
• KickStart Girls on Instagram