Give Children Wings to their Dreams

Its rightly said “The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for” ~  Allan K. Chalmers

Thank You for adding these Something’s to the life of many young people from vulnerable backgrounds through our (Dream A Dream's) Life Skill Programs by giving them hope for the best from their future and also by bringing in a caring adult into their life in the form of a life skill facilitator or a mentor.

One such Hope and Aspiration is of Raju's (name changed). 
Raju has been a part of our football program for the last two years.  He is currently studyig in 8th standard at our partner organization.  When he came into our program, he was not very interested. He used to do what the coach told him, but he was very lazy in all the activities and used foul language during the session.  With regular attendance to the sessions, he gradually started improving both his football skills and even in his behaviour.  He used to help the facilitator and soon started building strong relationships with the other members of the team. From then on, he was happy. He told the facilitator that he would listen to everyone and respect his elders. When asked, whether it was the program that had led to these changes? and if so, why had he changed. He said that the program had previously been focused on learning football skills but now the focus is on teaching life skills as a part of the curriculum.  He said that the team agreements helped him to make changes in his behaviour both inside and outside the game.  He started to take initiative during the games and behave responsibly during the sessions.  If he had any doubts, he would clarify them in the session itself and he often came out with some very powerful and relevant questions.  “I feel like I too have changed through my involvement in the program.  I learned better ways to behave with my elders and with younger children, responsibility, how to take initiative and most importantly, I learned how to be a leader and I’m really happy I learned this because it is a very good quality to have.  I have learned that I have to be a good soccer player and the importance of relationships, not only in soccer but also in my life outside of the game. The football program has made a lot of changes in my life and I know how to work hard to achieve a bright future for myself.”

He also quotes:  “I have never seen this kind of program and it makes me feel good. The first session is one of the most memorable days of my life.  I have been playing football since I was 10 and I used to play very selfishly.  Once I lost a game due to my selfishness and this made me realise that being selfish is very bad and you can’t score a goal if you behave like that.  After going to some sessions, I have become much more honest, my football skills are a lot better and there have even been changes in my life. Thank you Dream A Dream!”

Organization and Program Updates:

1. We have now reached out to 3152 children enrolled in our core life skills programs – 1737 in Life skills Through Sports and 1415 in Life skills Through Arts.  Over 108 batches are run across 17 locations in Bangalore - 48 batches in Life skill through Arts and 60 batches in Life skill through Football. 
2. Two of our young adults were selected for a 1-year Professional Dance Development Certificate Program which is a scholarship by Lourd Vijay Dance Studio.
3. Four Outdoor Experiential Camps were conducted engaging 122 children and 23 volunteers. This is what one of our volunteer had to say after the camp “Still contemplating all the amazing things I have experienced this weekend... thanks Dream A Dream for giving me the opportunity to volunteer for one of your Outdoor Experiential Camps! Loved it!”
4. 300 young adults successfully completed their Life Skills for Career Development training at our DreamConnect Center, which offers the tools and foundational life skills necessary for career development.
5. 60 young adults attended our very first Alumni Meet at the DreamConnect center. It was overwhelming to see the excitement and enthusiasm that the youths had upon learning about the different educational/career opportunities available to them. Everyone walked home with a smile and hope in their heart.
6. We have started our 6-week Facilitation training in partnership with PYE Global-Partnership with youth empowerment where 16 Lead Trainers are being trained and prepared to deliver trainings across the country.
7. Mr. Vishal Talreja, our Cofounder and Executive Director represented Dream A Dream at the StreetFootballworld and Sony European Graduate Program which happened in Libson, Portugal. Dream A Dream is a network member with Streetfootballworld Network has been one of the two organizations selected for the SONY European Graduate Programme Enterprise Project. As part of this project 5 of SONY’s Graduate Students have been selected to support Dream A Dream with establishing a strategic partnership with a sports based club, association or company to further Dream A Dream’s scale plans. The graduates will be volunteering offline with Dream A Dream between September 2012 – January 2013 on this project as part of their leadership development.
8. Ms. Suchetha Bhat, our Head-Strategy was featured in the local newspaper, Bangalore Mirror, where she talks about our Dream Mentoring program.  Please click on the link to read the article http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/81/20120922201209222022029779692d076/Wanted-not-teachers-but-awakeners.html

All this has been possible only due to the undying commitment and support from donors like YOU, who have helped us, Dream A Dream, to continue to reach out to many more young people in helping them unleash their potential and take over the life’s challenges with confidence.