The need for this project is a testimony of the work of Touching Lives. As the students of initial batches of Independent Learners Project crossed over an important milestone in their formal education, and many of them started attending college – a new environment, a different set of challenges called for the designing of a new project dedicated for college students.

What began as a ‘once a month Sunday’ class in 2018 transformed into a full-fledged    project with a structured and a unique curriculum, a full-time mentor, new students from different slum communities in Mumbai and different parts of India from there onward.

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

The programme aims to develop the skills they need for their next steps in education or employment.

TWO MAIN GOALS –

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

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

Program Mentor: The program is led by Shirin Jiwani who is an expert educator with immense and varied experience of teaching students of different international boards. She is into Teaching and Teacher Training since more than a decade. Shirin is passionate about education and engages in eclectic pedagogy and methodologies to support each child’s needs and vision.

Coursera Partnership: Touching Lives has a partnership with Coursera, and the students of Dream project can learn and earn certificates from best universities and organizations in the world on Coursera for free.

Care Program: An integral part of our curriculum is the Care Program where our team of Healers and Counsellors trained in Psychology, Alternative Therapies and Mindfulness processes work with students on individual basis and in groups and conduct regular process and goal oriented therapy workshops.

Life-Skills & Growth Mindset: Professional facilitators and mentors for to help develop life-skills and growth mindset for the students to engage in their day-to-day life with ability for better decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking, value application and working on oneself both as a professional and a humble and ethical individual.

Visiting Faculties: On topics that helps the students to strengthen their educational muscle, employment perspectives, self-expression, finance & savings, study-methodologies, career guidance etc.

Skill Development & Practical Engagements: The team is constantly working to build new partnerships, collaborations and internship engagements for the students and to support their vocations.