Dream A Dream, an NGO that develops life skills amongst young people from Bangalore’s slum communities, has been chosen by FIFA to represent India at the FIFA Football for Hope Festival 2014 to be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 2nd to 10th 2014 parallel to the Football World Cup. Dream A Dream was chosen in recognition of its outstanding contribution to advancing social development through football.
The FFH Festival 2014 will bring together 32 teams from across the globe for a very special event. The highlight of the event will be a public tournament on the last four days of the Festival. Dream A Dream representing India to the world will be made up of six players (three boys and three girls), a young leader, team manager and coach. The festival will witness intercultural exchange, opportunity to share best practices and showcase the work of Dream A Dream.
Vishal Talreja, Cofounder & CEO, Dream A Dream remarked “Dream A Dream is proud to represent India at the FIFA Football for Hope Festival. It is a dream come true for these young people who have been developing their Life Skills through Dream A Dream interventions over the last few years. We are delighted that these young people have got an opportunity of a life time and it will change their outlook towards life forever. The recognition is a strong validation of Dream A Dream’s work with young people from vulnerable backgrounds over the last 15 years and we are delighted to be part of this prestigious event. It reimposes our faith in our work that life skills learned through football go beyond and enables young people to prepare and respond creatively to this frantic pace of change in the world.”
The Festival is also about encouraging exchange and dialogue by meeting on the football pitch in the spirit of fair play, sharing best practice and celebrating cultural diversity through an exciting programme of sporting, artistic and musical a activities.
Bhaskar, an 18 year old participant representing Dream A Dream in the FIFA football for hope, says “It is like a dream come true for me. Playing football has taught me many things, it shaped me into the person I am now. Knowing how to react to varieties of situations is the biggest learning and I want to spread this message.”
Dream A Dream is a 15-year old NGO focused on developing Life Skills amongst the most vulnerable populations of young people in Bangalore, India. Over 15 years, Dream A Dream has impacted the lives of over 50,000 young people through its programmes in sports, arts, outdoor experiential camps, mentoring and career enhancement. Working with over 35 partners, 2000 volunteers and a host of corporate and individual supporters, Dream A Dream has brought together a community of supporters to change lives of children and young people in Bangalore. Delivered as an as an after-school intervention programme, Dream A Dream’s unique and innovative Life Skills programmes complement school curriculum, helping young adults learn key lessons in team play, overcoming difficulties and understanding basic instructions and learning to make healthy life choices.
Photo Caption: Graduates from the Dream Life skills programme run by Dream A Dream all set to leave for FIFA football for Hope Festival in Brazil
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