In education and psychology circles, it is well known that dreaming is considered a stepping stone to success. Dreams secure our focus and let us think freely beyond our reality. This is why at MARKED, we encourage kids to dream. Sadly in the villages, we often see children that are completely unaware of the capabilities and unique innate gifts they have. Their immediate fears or worries about basic needs being met hinder them seeing what makes them unique and how they can use their special talents and creativity to accomplish incredible things, even changing their reality.
Since MARKED began, leaders have worked hard to promote dreaming, encouraging children and teens to consider the future, asking them questions about what they hope for or what they dream of doing. Just this week, we saw some more fruit of these efforts over the years when a mother who has been involved with MARKED for years asked to talk to the staff. She grinned widely and spoke excitedly as she shared that her youngest daughter has decided she would like to be a stylist one day. The little girl is just finishing up elementary school this year and is already dreaming big about her future career and is sharing her ideas with her family.
Hearing this mother share about her daughter´s dreams represents a massive shift. Now, it's no longer just staff encouraging others to dream. Now, we see a mother empowered, equipped and guiding her own family in healthy practices- putting importance on dreaming, believing in her children and their abilities, as well as sharing, speaking life to this dream with others in the community.
It was one of those moments where it seems like we caught a glimpse of heaven. We saw changes in a mother and how they are rippling into the next generation already. That's what it's all about for us. We want to see a new story being written; a story where hope prevails, love takes hold and children along with their families are made whole and set free, even if it's one dream, one conversation, or one family at a time. May the children and parents dream bigger each day, seeing beyond their circumstances and may those hopes in their hearts become a reality that allows them to see the immensely special purpose for their lives.