In cooperation with the ObA we did a workshop Doing Dreams with children of a primary school in Amsterdam North. Nynke Westerveen used her talents as an artist to help the children visualize their talents and dreams.

A large part of the children who participated in the project wants to work as a creative professional, artist, architect, cartoonist, dancer, fashion designer etc. This world is often far away from their own experience and surroundings. The workshop ‘How to become an artist?’ is designed to offer them assistance from the field to develop their talents and realize their dream. For this workshop the group went to a famous Dutch architect studio, to see and feel how it is to be a creative professional, outside the traditional arts. They went to an artist collective, where they interviewed several artists in their studios to find out how it really is to live like an artist. Finally, they went to the Academy of Fine Arts, where they found out about being a student there, and practiced different art techniques. Everywhere the questions were: ‘what is being an artist all about?’ and ‘Which talents do I have and need to develop to become an artist?’

On this moment the workshop ‘How to become an entrepreneur?’ is being executed with a group of children from Amarantis, Waterlant college. The Rotary Club of Amsterdam North sponsored the workshops. In this workshop the students learn which possibilities exist in the field of being an entrepreneur, what fits with their own talent and how to make and maintain connections in their work field.

If you are interested in these workshops, please connect with us.

The 1 % Club organized an evening to enable young talented professionals of Ordina and their colleagues to put their knowledge, talents and network to good use for projects which participate in 1 % Club. Ofcourse Doing Dreams was there, and we got assigned Marieke, Michiel, Harm, Menno, Joe, Paul and Noor who faced up to the challenge to solve a problem for Doing Dreams in less than a day.

Our challenge was the following. Our goals with worldwide public relations are:

• To show the possibilities and talents of these children to the world: empowerment, inspiration and creating different images of these children.
• Find partners and being found by partners: foundations, schools, NGO’s, governments, companies, individuals…et cetera

Challenges:

• Big effects with restricted means and knowledge;
• Use existing network possibilities;
• Opening doors to press and networks;
• Who will carry out the ideas?

They have been working for hours to brainstorm, develop and discuss the best ways to get well-known all over the world. They presented three plans for action: “Catch your Dream”, Dreamgallery, ways to get attention in the media, use ambassadors and ways to approach companies from within. Big and smaller plans which we can put into action with some help of others. So let’s get moving! We’ll keep you posted on what can be done…

The City hall of Amsterdam hosted the party where the 50 kids who were part of the project made for the guests of honor. Many of the organizations they went to take their photo and meet their heroes were also there. A very special guest was the famous heavy metal band Chainsaw. Out of the hands of Martijn the students received their own dream photo to keep and of course the book. Then they gave a copy of the book to their heroes, where they took their dream photo.

Many people interested and committed to the project gathered here today, and met with their heroes: the students who worked so hard. They treated them as proper heroes, even asking them for autographs in their copy of the book.

They gather around the table with their own photos…and discuss how their photo shoot went, what they are busy with on the moment to realize their dream further. They are proud, very proud of themselves and each other. And so are we of course, the team that worked here in Brazil was enjoying thoroughly with these amazing human beings.

They still have the same problems in their lives, they have to deal with on daily basis. How will Ketherine manage to study to get through to college, while taking care of her 5 brothers and sisters? These problems stay. That’s why we keep the connection, and create connections with buddy’s in The Netherlands and Brazil who can help them with developing further.

A story to enjoy: Marcello was born mentally handicapped, the doctors said he would never walk or talk. When he was 5 he started designing cartoons, his way of communicating. By now he walks, talks and goes to school. During the project he went to Mauricio de Sousa, the most famous and loved designer of cartoons in Brazil: a true hero in their eyes. Mauricio offered Marcello to teach him every month and come by with his family. He is doing this now, and when he continues to develop, he will be working in Mauricio’s studio in three years. Marcello is our hero. With some support he achieved this by himself.

There is enough still to be done. But for this moment, we enjoy what has already happened, together with the kids and you.