SINCE it was first established in July 1988, the Reach For A Dream Foundation has brought hope, joy and healing to over 62 000 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years who are strained emotionally, physically and financially by life-threatening illnesses.
The Foundation enriches children’s lives by making dreams come true and as a result, distracting them from the needles, medication and hospital environment they find themselves in.
When a child is faced with a life-threatening illness, the impact that a dream coming true can have on their health is overwhelming. Doctors and parents report that after a dream is realised children appear more uplifted, happier and are able to cope better.
“By fulfilling dreams, Reach For A Dream brings hope, joy and inspiration by offering a magical moment to regain a childhood lost to illness,” explains Julia Sotirianakos, CEO, Reach For A Dream.
The Foundation has discovered an interesting fact about life-threatening illnesses: a larger percentage of children survive than adults.
One of the reasons for this is that children have not learnt what life-threatening means; they live each day as it is given to them. For children, attitude is everything, and they need all the motivation they can get.
Whatever the dream, no matter how big or small, inspiring hope and courage in the dreamer helps them believe that tomorrow is worth fighting for.
During these unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Foundation’s dreamers are more vulnerable than ever and their need for inspiration to keep fighting a life-threatening illness increases dramatically.
Adherence to the call for a national lockdown has meant that the Foundation is not in contact with the dreamers, however, as soon as the lockdown is lifted, every effort is going to be made to reach as many of them as quickly as possible and in this regard they need your support.
The Reach For A Dream Foundation is encouraging everyone to join the #ShareHope Campaign by making a cash donation towards a dream fulfilment.
The Reach For A Dream Foundation is an NPO with Company Registration No: 1991/006185/08; NPO Registration No: 004-109 and PBO No: 18/11/13/1483.
For all cash donations received it is able to issue Section 18A Certificates, a copy of our NPO, SED and BEE Certificates.
Banking details:RMB Private Bank (FNB)Acc No: 62026862418Branch Code: 261251Branch: JohannnesburgReference: Corporate Name + KZN FR
Dreams can come true …Lethu Meets Khama Billiat! Lethukhanya (10) dreamt of meeting Khama Billiat, Zimbabwean professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa.
After months of waiting, Lethukukhanya was well enough to jet off to Johannesburg, to have his dream fulfilled; he had no idea what was in store for him.
On his dream day, the RFAD JHB staff, picked Lethu and his family up from their hotel and took them to a surprise location.
Once Lethu removed his blindfold and saw the Kazer Chiefs players practicing, he could not stop smiling.
He was in total disbelief.
The moment Khama came up to Lethu he was speechless!
Khama then invited Lethu over to join the rest of the players in practice, where Khama taught Lethu a few treasured soccer skills.
That day will be remembered by Lethu for years to come.
Liam’s Jungle Gym Adventures Liam (5) is a super active boy, who loves playing outside till the sun sets.
His dream was to have a jungle gym, so that he could have many more outdoor adventures.
Liam’s 5th birthday was around the corner, so the Reach for a Dream team decided to give him the best birthday present he could ask for – a Jungle Gym. Whilst Jungle Kids were building Liam’s jungle gym, he was out spending quality time with his mom.
On arrival back home, Liam was blindfolded till the big reveal. Once the blindfold was off, his astonished face said it all.
“Is this for me?” were the first words he uttered in disbelief.
At first, Liam was shy and a little apprehensive to try out his jungle gym, but it wasn’t long before he was having a go on the slide and swing.
An added tream for Liam and his family was a picnic basket filled with his favorite snacks.
By the time the Dream Team said goodbye, Liam could still not wipe the biggest, happiest smile off his face.
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