Every individual has a right to dream. A dream to become someone in life. Some dreams come easy while others take strength to even be dreamt. Some require battles to achieve while others are achieved through hard work and perspiration. Some keep altering as the person changes, while others remain constant. Not everyone has access to dreams. Some have restrictions imposed on them and hence, some dreams remain unfulfilled.
Dreams as an aspiration was the topic of discussion at four different schools of our LIS program, namely; Our Lady of Merces, Swami Vivekananda School, 2ndLt. JJ. Rane Govt. High school and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Most children had the same answer, it is something that you wish to become in life. Some wished to become a doctor, engineer, teacher, nurse, pilot, dancer, musician, etc. By opening a book called “Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Rafael Lopez , we were hoping to unfold a series of dreams that could be achieved despite gender.
The sessions at these schools included a Read Aloud of the story, which is set in Cuba, where female drummers were considered taboo. A girl who wishes to become a drummer, and finally finds a girl band to join as a drummer. After the story, we had a discussion on what dreams mean to the children. The conversation on dreams then evolved into a debate between what each gender perceived as the shortcomings of the other. The consensus we arrived at was that anybody, regardless of gender can aspire to achieve and succeed at any dream if they had their heart and soul invested in it.
The children responded optimistically to the ambition of the girl in the story, with confidence that she could be a drummer. They also expressed sympathy for her not being allowed to play the drums just because of a societal norm. All the children agreed that they had seen girls play drums and stated quite assuredly the lack of rationale in society for not allowing it. Some also pointed out that not all boys play drums; it is a choice depending on personal interest more than gender. It was once again agreed upon that dreams were for everyone, which has to be the most important takeaway for all of us.
At the end of the session, the children wrote down their dreams and strung them on a dream catcher to be hung in class as a reminder of them expressing their aspirations. A beautiful piece, it also symbolized the satisfying experience of sharing dreams with the children and being able to record them as a keepsake. This book has become one of my favourites as it gently brings out the courage of the girl who was able to fulfill her wish of becoming the drummer though faced by restrictions. It is an inspiration for all girls who dare to dream and it will hopefully give courage to everyone who encounters it.
