The Challange

'Life Skills' though an essential part of a child's overall development is a largely un-supported issue in India. There are multiple institutions that provide basic needs such as food, shelter, education and primary health care for vulnerable children; but there aren't many organizations that support Life Skills Based Education Programs.

Life Skills enables a child's holistic development, wherein he/she develops an ability to cope with real life situations outside of a support institution; where they are able to take conscious, confident decisions about their life; and can successfully integrate into mainstream society. For this, the necessary skills are: decision-making, problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills, self-awareness, empathy, coping with emotions and stress.

Most institutions support vulnerable children/ youth, primarily through basic needs such as food, shelter, education and primary health care; leaving a huge gap in the child's comprehensive development and growth. As such, when a child/ youth 'graduates' from a support institution who provides for basic needs, there may still be a gap of life skills development opportunity and exposure. Without an opportunity to develop cognitive, personal and interpersonal abilities, the child/ youth may fail to realize their potential and drop out of gainful employment and/or be unsuccessful in managing their families and households.

In a country where there are millions of vulnerable children and youth, Dream A Dream noticed this critical missing link in their development needs and strived to fulfill and empower them through Life Skills. Endeavoring to give an access to opportunities to explore creativity, sports, outdoors and related fields; Dream A Dream improves the quality of their lives as well as provides a platform where innovation can take place.  For example, a HIV+ child may have access to education but creativity will help the child give vent to their emotions and traumatic experiences.  A 12-year-old runaway street kid exposed to a particular art, music, theatre will not only help the child build critical life-skills but will also provide an avenue for the child to build a professional career in any of these areas.

Since 1999, Dream A Dream has worked with over 3000 vulnerable children and youth and offering them innovative programs that foster life skills.