Stories of Change: 4 stories teach us lessons for life

Saraswathi:

Saraswathi, aged 16 is a shy girl, steadily growing in confidence. She has joined a Pre-University College despite a financial crunch that almost jeopardized her future education. When she was asked to write her experience at DreamConnect, she wrote the following about herself in third person. (translated from Kannada): There was girl named Saraswathi who lived in Roopenaagrahara. Her family consisted of her father, mother and sisters. She had joined a school in the same area. That school’s name is Round Table School. When she was in her high school she got associated with an organization called Dream A Dream. This organization gave the children life skills, creative arts sessions, adventure camps and sports free of cost. She had participated in some of these. The participation gave her courage and self-confidence. This inspired her to study well and complete her 10th standard. It made her sad that she would not be able to keep in touch with Dream A Dream (since she was leaving the school). But then she got to know of a new opportunity. Spoken English class (at the DreamConnect center)! Sarawathi was delighted for a reason. She knew it is important these days to be able to speak in English, especially when one later looks for a job; but Saraswathi could not speak English. So she enrolled at the DreamConnect center. Her family encouraged her too. Going to Koramangala for these sessions helped get to see new places too (until then her movement was restricted to her home and school). Meanwhile, her 10th standard board exams results were announced. Although she had passed with a first class, she was depressed because she was unable to choose a particular stream (Arts/Commerce/Science) for college (Pre-University College). DreamConnect came to her assistance. She was told here that skills, abilities and interests mattered when someone wanted to pursue a particular line in education and be successful at that. She wrote a test and was assessed. Based on what the counsellor told her she chose Commerce. After she started going to the DreamConnect center regularly she has changed (for the better). Earlier she would not speak to others in English. Now she answers in class and tries to talk to friends in English. Apart from English, learning computers here also has helped her. Saraswathi expresses her gratitude and hopes that more youth will benefit in future. DreamConnect had mentioned to Saraswathi's batch that there was an opportunity from Hippocampus Reading Foundation for becoming 'Mobile Librarians' in their neighborhood. Saraswathi and her DreamConnect classmate Sunitha were interested. They were connected to Hippocampus. They will now undergo training and run libraries from within their homes for the children in their neighborhood. In Saraswathi's words “I am excited! I will be able to read some nice books and help others read too. I also will benefit from meeting different people”. Karthik Salomon This is the story of an incident that took place in one of the Dream Football sessions at Annaswamy school. During a practice game between hull city (9th std) and Chelsea (8th std). Karthik Salomon from hull city was asked to lead the team. Karthik’s nature is that of a winner and he always plays hard in order to lead his team to victory. The children from the Hull City batch were returning to practice after many days due to the long vacation. With no practice they were asked to play a match. The match began & the kids were very excited to play the game after such a long gap. In the first half Chelsea team scored a goal, compared to hull city team this junior team had shown great coordination and skills in their game. The Chelsea team members had good understanding and most of the players in their proper position but it was not so in case of the hull city team. Chelsea had scored a goal and Karthik was frustrated with goal and the opponent team’s performance. He is naturally a soft spoken boy but when it comes to the game he is aggressive. On that particular day he was much more expressive than before. In the second half again the opposing team scored one more goal. Karthik was just not able to bare this, firstly his team was not doing well and other side other team had been scoring  goals spontaneously. His aggression was at its peak, the whole team was not doing well. Immediately after, he scored a goal & he turned his aggression into positive way. Unfortunately it was too late, his team could not smell the victory. They lost the game with a small margin of  2-1 He courageously expressed his disappointment on the team’s performance & was able to express this with the coach as well as with staff members. What was admirable that through reflection (Which is the core aspect of our Life Skills Program), Karthik was able to see areas where he needs to improve and reinforce his belief on "Not Giving Up but Trying harder next time!". Vishnu & Pallavi

From unlocking the computer room at 3 PM to packing up the laptops and locking it up, Vishnu would do everything. One look at him and you’ll realize that he is pretty much the star of the school, a kind of icon that his classmates look up to. On the other hand, Pallavi is a spokeswoman for the girls of the class ten batch. She leads group activities boldly. Vishnu and Pallavi successfully completed two years in the Learn IT program and graduated with the rest of their class. But what sets them apart is the active involvement seen in any goings-on. Pallavi was introverted and bashful in the beginning. In the two years, her life has spun in the opposite direction. Coupled with the Learn IT program was the influence of her sister Sunita, a student of the IT program and a year older to Pallavi. Slowly but steadily Pallavi left her inhibitions behind to evolve into a poised young lady approaching problems head-on. While in the beginning, she directed her doubts to her friends, she started clearing her confusion with the volunteers and facilitators towards the end of the program.

Vishnu on the other hand is by definition a charmer. Along with completing the given activity on time, he would assist in buying snacks and packing up after the session. Being one of few who have the privilege of owning a computer, Vishnu puts it to good use. Not only does he learn and practice at home but also ensures that his peers are doing well. Vishnu wears a naughty grin on his face, perpetually and at the same time is one of the most brilliant students in his class. The Learn IT program helped not only hone his computer skills but also helped him inculcate in himself some life skills such as confidence, interacting with each other, taking initative which he began exhibiting in his behavior.