By Agata Studnicka | Senior Partnership Specialist
“I'm fighting for myself and my dreams” – story of Sebastian
The Academy of the Future - with the help of teachers from schools - reaches Children who have low self-esteem. Some of them do not fit in at school, some have difficulties in contacts with peers, most have not yet discovered their potential, strengths and dreams. Every year, the Academy of the Future recruits approximately 2,000 Children to the program. Children from all over Poland. In the program they receive support from adults who show them their potential and encourage them to dream.
At the Academy of the Future each meeting with Child is created to build children's self-confidence, self-esteem and the ability to recognize their strengths. Answering teacher’s questions, playing football with your friends or talking to a friend from the bench - these are small successes that start bigger change. And the Volunteer helps and accompanies the Child in this process.
Volunteer meets the Child once a week at school. He/she focuses his/her full attention on a Child. This presence strengthens the child's self-confidence and teaches that every day can bring a small success that Child can be proud of. This is the foundation, which help Children to become a self-confident adult in the future.
“I'm fighting for myself and my dreams,” says Sebastian, who is one of the Children in the Academy of the Future. Read his incredible story, how meetings with Volunteer help him to believe in himself.
Hi! My name is Sebastian, I am in 6th grade. Two years ago I was a boy without dreams. I didn't believe in myself, I felt like no one liked me. Today I know that it was me who was closed to people and the world. My life turned upside down in one day. My mother was very sick, my aunt took care of us. After some time, I started going to football training. I was physically weak, I got better over time, but I still lagged behind the rest of my friends. One day I burst into tears and told my aunt that I couldn't play football anymore. I almost gave up, but I went to a sports and recreation camp. Then my mother died, or as my aunt says, she went to heaven to live with angels. It was very difficult for me. Right after the school started, I met a Volunteer from the Academy of the Future. We started to meet once a week. The Volunteer spent a lot of time with me, helped me play football and basketball and with my homework. I started to become more confident. During the PE lesson, the basketball coach said that there would be a big basketball tournament. I volunteered. I invited my Volunteer and my aunt to the tournament. I was very nervous that I wouldn't be able to do it, but they supported me. I'm proud of myself for playing. Currently, I train in a basketball club and I am active in the SIEMACHA association. I'm glad I overcame my fear and gained self-confidence. Don't be afraid to fight for your dreams, despite everything!
The Academy of the Future helps Children, who, like Sebastian, don’t see their true potential. But smart adult, Volunteer, can change it. Thank you for supporting out program – you are important part of that change!
With gratitude
The Academy of the Future Team
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