
Dreams and Inspirations Philippines
Donation protected
I grew up in a small province where the most prominent job is farming. In such provinces, the old generation of most families including mine have been raised with the mindset in which “education is not a priority”. Instead of going to school, children are encouraged to help their parents in to work in the farm. Hence, children are discouraged to study and learn in school. The tendency of this mindset is that children are put into boxes that limit their choices and their capacity of learning and dreaming. This issue which is relevant to all small agricultural provinces of the Philippines led me to founding Project Dreams and Inspirations; which mainly aims to end the cultured negative mindset about education in the Philippines. The mission of Project Dreams and Inspirations Philippines is “To provide a safe space for children and the youth to create and spread inspirations, to realize their potentials and to pursue their dreams.” The project started in the year 2016, during the summer vacation. Basically, I have coordinated with a public elementary school (Acacia Kayapa Elementary School) and we conducted a workshop called “Dreams and Inspirations” which was about giving the children a platform to voice out and pursue their dreams. We also gave donations such as pairs of shoes, papers and pencils to a total of 80 students. The project continued on during the summer of 2017 whereas, the project was extended to 11 public schools, with a total of 1300 student participants.
For this year’s project, we will donate supplies such as books, papers, notebooks, pens, shoes, bags, and clothings to participating schools. Our main goal is to conduct workshops and activities depending on grade level/age group. For high school students, we will conduct a Youth Empowerment Symposium. Whereas, for the elementary children we will conduct Dreams and Inspirations workshop. The basis of these workshops is to expand horizons of dreamers or aspiring youths, to pursue their goals, dreams and projects. The aim of the project is to disseminate idealistic educational lessons through workshops, similar to Youth Social Entrepreneurship Program and Life Skills sessions in public halls and schools. I aim to empower the participants by giving them a safe space to “create and spread inspirations, realize their potentials and to pursue their dreams”. In this project, we aspire to create a long-lasting impact with changing the mindset of society towards the importance of education. Especially, to keep dreaming and getting inspired despite poverty and all challenges that all face.
I think that the relevance of this project is heavily demanded more than ever. Especially with what my country is going through right now, politically and socially. There is so much division of opinions and disunity amongst the citizens. And I believe that societal problems we have in the Philippines root from lack of understanding and awareness which are both things that education provide. Therefore, I aim to have an impact amongst the children and youth to better understanding of the importance of education, awareness of their own potentials and to be hopeful for the future through the Dreams and Inspirations Workshops. I hope that the participants are able to realize their capabilities and power to change the society for the better. By this project, I hope that children and youth will feel empowered and may this be a seed of hope for a brighter future.
For this year’s project, we will donate supplies such as books, papers, notebooks, pens, shoes, bags, and clothings to participating schools. Our main goal is to conduct workshops and activities depending on grade level/age group. For high school students, we will conduct a Youth Empowerment Symposium. Whereas, for the elementary children we will conduct Dreams and Inspirations workshop. The basis of these workshops is to expand horizons of dreamers or aspiring youths, to pursue their goals, dreams and projects. The aim of the project is to disseminate idealistic educational lessons through workshops, similar to Youth Social Entrepreneurship Program and Life Skills sessions in public halls and schools. I aim to empower the participants by giving them a safe space to “create and spread inspirations, realize their potentials and to pursue their dreams”. In this project, we aspire to create a long-lasting impact with changing the mindset of society towards the importance of education. Especially, to keep dreaming and getting inspired despite poverty and all challenges that all face.
I think that the relevance of this project is heavily demanded more than ever. Especially with what my country is going through right now, politically and socially. There is so much division of opinions and disunity amongst the citizens. And I believe that societal problems we have in the Philippines root from lack of understanding and awareness which are both things that education provide. Therefore, I aim to have an impact amongst the children and youth to better understanding of the importance of education, awareness of their own potentials and to be hopeful for the future through the Dreams and Inspirations Workshops. I hope that the participants are able to realize their capabilities and power to change the society for the better. By this project, I hope that children and youth will feel empowered and may this be a seed of hope for a brighter future.
Organizer
Zharina Nikko Tomas Casil
Organizer
Norman, OK