are we MAD?

Life, what is it but a dream?

A Saturday morning took us to that relatively small building which we would have easily missed on any other day, with the road leading to Forum in one direction, and M.G. Road in the opposite direction…

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We spent our first few years frolicking and running around; we ate and studied and slept and played and dreamed about being pilots and bus drivers and astronauts and bikers… but have you ever wondered what a childhood without dreams would be like?

There are many homes in Bangalore providing innumerable children with their basic needs. However, they are usually not able to provide too much more, as their focus is on providing these to more children. The children normally grow up in a protective environment, with limited exposure to the outside world, which limits their growth. When they have to leave the institution and face the world, often they are unprepared.

This is the problem Dream A Dream is solving.

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In 1999, eleven people took a few under privileged children for a picnic. Within no time, eleven turned into twenty. Twenty into forty. Soon Dream A Dream was born.

Dream A Dream is a not-for-profit organization aiming to “empower children from vulnerable backgrounds” such as orphans, street children and children from slum communities among others.

How do they plan to achieve this? They partner with various homes that support such children, and provide life skills development programmes to them through exposure to sports, outdoor camps, creative arts, computer training programmes and many more. Such programmes enable them to channelize their energy and enthusiasm, and facilitate their all round development.

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Read this account by one such child, Pavithra, that we found in the Dream A Dream brochure.

“I live in Bangalore with my parents and 2 sisters. My father is unemployed and my elder sister doesn’t keep too well. I am the sole bread winner of the family.”

“While studying in my 10th grade, my friends told me about an organization called Makkala Jagriti. I went out of curiosity to know more and found that they help girls and boys like me to study.”

“I am currently doing my 2nd year Pre-University course in Commerce. Dream A Dream and Makkala Jagriti work together on some leadership development skills and computer programs for school children. That’s how I came to know about Dream A Dream and today work here as an employee and attend evening college.”

“With my earnings I have to get my sister’s appendix operated, pay for my younger sister’s school fees and complete my education. I want to be a lecturer and want to complete a Master’s program in Commerce.”

“I know I can accomplish so much more. So what if I have to work hard. Dream are for making it come true, no?”

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Dream A Dream has an efficient volunteering model, where people can choose the activity they want to participate in based on their interest and availability. Information about any upcoming volunteering opportunity is regularly sent out to everyone in their volunteer database. They have over 500 people volunteering with them, out of which over 40 participate every week.

Moving forward, Dream A Dream wants to increase the number of children they work with by at least 50% every year, and cover more of India. Do you want to Dream A Dream with them? Click here to find out more.

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Photo courtesy: Suyog. To see some more of his collection click here.