Graduating from college, starting a career as an investment banker and starting a program for “at risk” youth in India all seem like pretty challenging tasks ó yet that is exactly what Vishal Talreja did.† Fresh out of college, Talreja and eleven other young entrepreneurs decided they wanted to make a difference and started the Dream a Dream program aimed at giving children the life skills necessary to stay in school, attend college and get jobs.† Through sports, art, computer skills, and many other programs, the children he works with are able to compete against children who are lucky enough to attend mainstream schools. By participating in sports and other activities run by the program the children he works with are able to become more confident and responsible.† The life skills learned are carried with them throughout their lives.
In 1999, when Talreja was first starting this program, most non-profit agencies were run by individuals much older than him. Yet Talreja saw a lack of drive and a sense of urgency to solve the problems facing children in India.† Even though he was a young man just out of college, he was able to get support to start the Dream a Dream program.† In 10 years he has taken his program from helping 15 children to now changing the lives of over 3,000.† Yet his dreams are still not finished, as he stated that he hopes he never sees a child living on the streets ever.
His anecdotes about the children he works with provided his audience with laughter and sadness.† He told stories about children who first came to the program starting trouble, fighting with other kids, or refusing to participate, but each story ended with a positive note.† One exceptionally aggressive child fought other children during sports.† Talreja did not give up on the child, but rather decided to help him channel his aggression into sports activities.† After being allowed 30 extra minutes of hitting goals he soon became the best player on the team and eventually became a coach.
This summer, College of Wooster students, with the guidance of the Global Social Entrepreneurship program, worked with Dream a Dream in India. Each student expressed their profound happiness at taking on such an important task and praised Talreja for his positive, upbeat attitude.† One student spoke about the weekly Friday meetings during which Talreja would have everyone state their highs, lows, or achievements throughout the week.
Not only has Vishal started one of the most influential non-profit organizations in India, but he also exudes a sense of complete humbleness and sincere joy for what he is doing.† After hearing his introduction and stepping on stage Talreja started his speech by stating how embarrassed he was. Throughout his speech students could hear his sincere love for the children he works with and his passion for making a difference.† Every obstacle that came his way was thwarted, and every negative was turned into a positive.† Talreja commented that when you come across a problem you simply need to roll up your sleeves and ask yourself how you can solve it.
Talreja repeated many times that we all have the ability to make a difference, but somewhere along the line we may lose our spark to try.† There is a difference between those who talk about change, and those who actually go about making it.† He ended his speech with an old story about a man throwing starfish into the ocean.† Another man questions him, saying that there are so many starfish on the beach, how many could he really save? As the man throws one more back into the ocean he simply replies “Well I saved that one.”† Talreja’s message is a simple one: we can all make a difference if we try.