Dreams Matter: Dreams that inspired us to keep dreaming this month

Dreams inspire hope and a belief in the future. Reach For A Dream is dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. Each month, we fulfil hundreds of dreams, bringing smiles to the faces of brave children. Our Dreams Matter feature is a look at the special moments that have brought joy and inspired many to be resilient and hope for a better tomorrow.

Mini tractor for a cheerful mini farmer!

Liam has a growing tractor obsession. The chirpy four-year-old from Ottosdal living with a brain tumour loves everything about farming, the colour green and tractors, especially tractors from John Deere.

When he spent his dream day on the farm, chatting to the Senwes staff and riding around on a tractor, he could not have imagined that his day would get any better. The team revealed his dream ride-on tractor, and the budding farmer immediately checked it out and went for a spin.

Liam went home one happy tractor owner, even asking his parents when Reach For A Dream would come again, a sure reminder that dreams matter.

Emma’s magical aquatic adventure

Ten-year-old Emma from Gqeberha is the ocean’s biggest fan. The bright aspiring marine biologist is living Mitochondrial Myopathy, but she has not let that weigh down her dream of saving ocean life. She has dreamed of meeting Craig Foster, famously known as My Octopus Teacher. Her exciting dream was revealed to her in in a mock interview in her home and when she finally put two and two together, the lively ocean lover did all but scream at the top of her lungs.

Emma and her family flew down to Cape Town to meet her hero and they were just like best friends who hadn’t seen each other in a very long time. Octopus teacher and student spent the afternoon talking everything they knew about the ocean.

The special dream ended with Emma receiving an autographed copy of Craig’s book and a day at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Her beaming energy through the weekend symbolises the hope that is inspired when children dream. Watch Emma’s magical weekend here

Chef Elethu’s culinary surprise

Elethu from Gqeberha is a shy 16-year-old who is passionate about cooking and being in the kitchen. Elethu, who loves to stay connected with her loved ones is living with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Her dream of owning a cell phone was inspired by her love of communicating with her siblings even when they are apart but also admitted she didn’t want to share her sister’s cell phone anymore.

The future Michelin Star chef loves to cook for her family and on her dream day, Elethu had the chance to cook for them at the Francois Ferreira Academy. Nervous at first, the chef of the day quickly warmed up to the fire and put her best foot forward and wowed her crowd.

Chef Elethu was surprised with her brand-new cell phone after retiring from the kitchen and rounded off her dream day by enjoying the meal she prepared. She also received a cookbook and card filled with well-wishes from the warm Academy staff and students.

Each dream we’ve fulfilled this month has shown how our dreamers have stayed positive, believing that their dreams will come true and inspired in all of us the hope that tomorrow is always worth fighting for.

Stay tuned for next month’s feature where we’ll share some of the dreams that made us smile.