Dream project

Dream Project is for college going students with challenging socio-economic situations.

Students from different slum communities in India, students associated with many other NGOs, students rescued from abuse and living in homes designated for the survivors, students living in slums communities in different parts of Delhi and Mumbai, students living in small villages of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra etc.

The major CHALLENGE is English language due to the transition from vernacular medium school to English medium colleges. The second challenge is coping up with diverse environment finding difficulty in communication. A student is faced with many decisions about career, finances and developing their personalities and exploring their self-identities. Due to financial challenges, some of the students are forced to do part-time job that affects their education.

Thus, it is important to provide support for sound mental-health, personality development and life-skills too and help them prepare for the practical world.

Per student education sponsorship INR 15,500 (190 USD) (175 Euros) (157 GBP)

Total Number of students 2023-24 : 40

Fund utilization: Salary of mentor (teacher), internet data recharge for students, subscription for Zoom, educational resources.

OUR SOLUTION

1) Students gain enduring skills and knowledge that prepares them for the practical world and helps them in their career

2) Holistically support their development and ‘dream’ for better quality of life

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:

ONE YEAR ONLINE

The students attend regular 1.5 - 2 hours of online class twice a week via Zoom.

CURRICULUM :

The curriculum is developed by professional educators.

1.   ENGLISH  (Communication skills in listening, reading, writing, speaking)

2.   LIFE-SKILLS (Personality development, decision making, stress management, others)

3.   HEALING & SELF-WORK* (self-awareness, mindfulness, meditation, art-based therapy activities)

4.   GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

COURSERA CERTIFICATION

Through our partnership with Coursera, the students can learn and earn certificates from best universities and organizations in the world on Coursera for free.

SPECIAL SUPPORT

1.   Workshops with experts on topics such as psychology of happiness, confidence building, entrepreneurship etc.

2.   College study support with volunteers

3.   Individual counselling with professional psychologist

4.   Identifying and grooming interests, skills and talents. Preparing for job interviews and presentations

5.   Tab / smartphones whenever funds are available

6.   Monthly internet data recharge if they are not able to afford

7.   Dream Fund scholarship: 3 students scholarship for college fee, vocational coaching

THE MODEL of Touching Lives is to support the individual journey of each child for their education and for their life.

Here are some of the success stories of our previous batch:

1. Shaheen Shaikh: Worked with Antarang Foundation as a consultant and career awareness facilitator. Shaheen got selected for the US students exchange program and is studying Early Childhood Care and Child Psychology at Northampton College.

2. Shubham Singh: Works with an NGO supporting people with disabilities

3. Saba Mirza: Working as a teacher in a nursery school in Dubai

4. Sabreena Khan: Works in a pathology laboratory

5. Ram Soni, who lived in a slum community in Mumbai, received support for his school and college education, sponsorships to learn computer, swimming, art-based therapy, clinical hypnotherapy and slowly work towards fulfilling his dreams. When he was in school, ram had dropped out of school to earn money. With his determination and support from Touching Lives, Ram completed his graduation in Psychology from Mumbai University.

Currently, Ram lives in a rented apartment with his family, works as a therapist with Touching Lives and also with Wholistic Health college, Australia.

Education does change the lives of children and their families forever!