Tuk-tuk India rally 'shows what women can achieve'

Claire Jenkins is driving a tuk-tuk across India on a 1,000-kilometer journey, describing it as an "extraordinary experience" to bring joy to people along the way. Hailing from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, UK, Jenkins is a participant in the "Sisterhood Tuk-Tuk Rally," an event featuring 60 women traveling from Chennai to Goa.

The team aims to raise £350,000 to support women and girls' empowerment projects in Chennai, including the construction of safe, weatherproof classrooms. The rally, held around International Women's Day (Saturday), is described by the team as "a brave declaration of women achieving together," highlighting the collective strength and determination of the participants.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Jenkins mentioned that her tuk-tuk had experienced a breakdown, but she is back on the road and approaching Bangalore. "We've done 175 kilometers so far and are now going through more rural areas," Jenkins said. "There are 18 tuk-tuks and 60 women, so it's causing quite a stir. People are driving alongside us, waving at us, and it's just brilliant to be able to share the joy with people. It's a truly extraordinary experience."

Throughout the journey, which is expected to conclude on Wednesday, the women are maintaining high spirits through "tuk-tuk karaoke." "We have a speaker, and we've been singing along the way, very badly," she said. "Yesterday our speaker ran out of battery, and we were still singing primary school songs, like 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'," showcasing their resilience and camaraderie.

The rally, comprised of female entrepreneurs, has raised over £90,000 so far. Ladies Circle India and Round Table India have identified three women and girls' projects to donate the funds to. In addition to the weatherproof classrooms, the funds will support skills training for young women to enable economic independence and improve maternal healthcare, ensuring a comprehensive approach to empowerment.