By Vishal Talreja | Cofounder & CEO
Dhanraj is an 18-year old young man who has been associated with Dream a Dream for two years. He has attended the Basic Computer course, Money Management and various Skill Development workshops. He lost his father to a medical condition three years ago. The medical expenses incurred in treating his ailing father caused the family’s financial condition to deteriorate drastically which compelled his mother to start working at a garment factory to eke out a living. Dhanraj got to know about Career Connect, a Dream a Dream initiative from a friend of his who had earlier attended the basic computer program at our centre and had recommended this program.
When asked why he had decided to join the program, he expressed “I had just completed my 10th grade and I always wanted to take up a career related to computers, I had been searching for a place that taught computers but I couldn’t afford the fee because of my family situation, then I came to know that Career Connect gives computer training for free and I joined the program.”
Dhanraj feels that Career Connect program has influenced his thinking to a great extent, He shared “I didn’t have any emotional support or guidance when my father died and had lost all hope about having a bright future. At Career Connect I got the guidance that I needed and learnt that LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, it gave me an opportunity to explore my talent which I didn’t know I had and it also helped me to focus on my goal. It gave me the confidence to take up a Diploma course in Electronics and Communications.”
From the Life Skills sessions he says that “I have learnt about the importance of education and the power of having knowledge in my life."
Dhanraj was also awarded a scholarship from Dream a Dream to pursue his college education. He says, “Without Career Connect’s support, I would have been forced to discontinue my studies and start working like my mother.” Dhanraj is proud to say that in his Diploma class out of 38 students only 12 students have knowledge of computer basics and he is one of them.
In July 2015, Dhanraj added another cap to his achievements. He was selected for a 1-year education exchange program sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United State Department of State, Washington D.C. to study Information Technology major at the college of DuPage at Illinois State, USA. As we share this with you, Dhanraj has joined college and is eagerly looking forward to making new friends and adding new experiences.
Young people like Dhanraj give us some of our best life lessons. He "Changed the Script"of his life and proved "LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT’’.
At Dream a Dream, we believe every young person, irrespective of their background and circumstances, is able and capable. Just a little help from us can help develop their self-confidence and resilience to change their life. Everyday, in our work, we meet hundreds of inspiring young people like Dhanraj and are able to Change the Script of their lives through your generous and committed support. Thank you.
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