Today we revisit the story of a student whose future once appeared hopeless. Because of some unfortunate circumstances, her mother could not care for Aziza, who was suffering poor emotional and physical health. Fortunately, Aziza's grandmother took her in and started...
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Dream Centers
University Nurses Provide Health Screenings to Dream Center Kids
The people who volunteer to help at-risk families are awesome. We're thankful for such volunteers, like a team from the University of South Carolina (USC) that traveled to Fish Hoek, South Africa. The nursing students brought joy and excitement to the Dream Center....
Mika Overcomes Culture, Lockdowns
Mika* is outgoing, friendly and loves daydreaming. She and her older sister attend the Fish Hoek Dream Center. Her father works in security and her mother works at a school. The family is racially mixed, which causes problems for the children. They are caught between...
Quito Dream Center Girl Studies Pharmaceuticals
Belén has come a long way. She has a dream, goals and hope for her future. Belén was raised in extreme poverty in Ecuador. Her mother is a recycler who has struggled to provide for her family. Despite these trials, Belén recounts her childhood as being calm and...
Teacher, Teacher: Dream Center Student Helps Others
Mutsa*, age 8, is a grade 3 student who has been enrolled in the Fish Hoek Dream Center for two years. She is full of joy and laughter. She is easily excited and sees the best in every situation. She dreams of being a teacher and often helps the kids who are...
Once Angry and Unfocused, Thabo Now Boldly Shares His Faith
Thabo's story demonstrates the incredible value of patiently investing in the futures of at-risk kids. By Amy Townsend, Fish Hoek Dream Center Co-Director Thabo* began attending the Fish Hoek Dream Center in 2016 as a Grade 1 learner. He started when the Dream Center...
Spitfire Turns From Trouble
Prior to joining the Cavite Dream Center (DC) in Metro Manila, Maggie* was a five-year-old spitfire, perhaps even a troublemaker. Even though she has a family and a home, she spent too much time on the streets acting out like other street kids. After she enrolled in...
Annalie Is Realizing Her Dream through the Power of Relationships
By Amy Townsend, Fish Hoek Dream Center Co-Director Annalie* has endured tremendous hardship in her life, which is why her story will resonate deeply with you. Annalie, age 13, and her younger sister, Zonja*, age 7, are part of the Fish Hoek Dream Center and attend a...
Strap on Your seatbelts…Three New Dream Centers Launching in Manila!
Lord-willing, launching three new Dream Centers in 2022 will rank among the most impact investments in the history of Extreme Response. Take a ride with us to Metro Manila in the Philippines. With support from generous donors, we are excited to announce that THREE new...
Truth Trumps Kids’ Insecurity
Insecurity – 1. uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence. 2. the state of being open to danger or threat; lack of protection. (Oxford Online Dictionary) Insecurity feels like a dirty word and yet it is something I’m certain we have all faced. It’s far...
Quito Dream Center Graduates Two Kids
Until recently, kids whose parents work in the Quito Trash Dump rarely made it through high school. Most drop out early to become recyclers themselves. This cycle is breaking and dreams are coming true. Thanks to your support, we celebrate the success of Cristina and...
Rayne Dance: From Tragedy to Triumph
Investing in vulnerable children gives us a front row seat to seeing incredible life change. Take Rayne*, who experienced a severe childhood accident that could have left her crushed and hopeless. Instead, Rayne dances with joy. By Amy Townsend, Fish Hoek Dream Center...
Fish Hoek First Graders Dream Big
One of our favorite activities is "onboarding" new kids to our Dream Centers. We challenge them to dream big by asking them, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Our Grade 1 students in Fish Hoek recently had fun thinking about that question and ER's Dawn...
Great Grandfather Treasures Investing in Kids
Chuck Slick isn't your typical 82-year-old great grandfather. A widower since his wife Mickey passed in 2008, the Bedford, PA, resident uses his time investing in the futures of vulnerable kids who live on the other side of the world. Chuck does this by both...
KIDStory Teacher Training Inspires
ER's Robyn Wallace of the Quito Dream Center shared her team's excitement regarding KIDStory training they received, along with other like-minded organizations, in early January 2020. "ER hosted a two-day training on the art of storytelling with the most important...