‘Let Us Dream_’ Music empowering individuals and communities

The ‘Let Us Dream’ organziation in India works to empower individuals by music and shared creativity. Its founder, Fr. Lijo Thomas, recounts the way it all started and his work all over the world.

By Agnel Maria

Let Us Dream Group works as a world motion for empowering children, youngsters, adults of assorted faith, ethnicities and cultures by music. They’ve totally different chapters to encourage and inspire the group by conducting Ted talks, summer time camps, workshops, outings, fellowship occasions, and so forth. Based on Father Reverend Lijo Thomas Pathickal, of the Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), is its founder who focuses on the humanitarian mindset for the framework of the group. Fr. Lijo was extraordinarily glad to see that the Holy Father’s encyclical letter, ‘Laudato Si’ has themes much like that of the group.

The group has even obtained a letter of appreciation from the Vatican for its contribution to the society. The group has a transparent imaginative and prescient to empower communities. This highly effective imaginative and prescient has led to the institution of a number of chapters below the DREAMS undertaking worldwide. One of many group’s most unusual and thrilling options is its dedication to nurturing expertise and potential. This group pushes you to search out your talent set and uncover your self higher as they firmly imagine that expertise wants no filter.

Historic beginnings of the Group

Fr. Lijo started his journey within the church choir, and made his option to the faculty rock band as they have been in want of a guitarist. Regardless of his abilities he was requested to faux to play the guitar though the band created music which marked the band’s humble beginnings. Divine intervention and Fr. Lijo’s willingness to adapt performed a big position within the formation.

He felt that he was misplaced, introverted, and wasn’t the neatest earlier than he began to imagine in himself and his abilities. This made Fr. Lijo the very best spokesperson to inspire and encourage the youth and adults, as a lot of them have a tendency to check themselves to others which makes them doubt themselves and query their skills. He started taking part in tender rock and even grew to become the chief of a band which boosted his self-confidence. Later, he acquired amenities for the band and proposed the thought of going to totally different faculties to sing classics akin to ‘Heal the World’ by Michael Jackson, as a way to interact with the youngsters.

The title of the band, “Goals” got here into being at Union Christian Faculty Aluva, Kerala, India. The band was impressed by the previous President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s e book, “Wings of Hearth” that talks about dreaming and following your desires. Fr. Lijo believes that there are two important parts that preserve the band collectively: enjoyable and function. By creating an atmosphere that is each pleasant and significant, he is been capable of entice new members to the group. His fundamental ingredient is making music by which the viewers really feel impressed. Many of the songs have been written primarily based on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s e book.

Challenges make the journey worthwhile

There have been a number of instances when the group was upset, and confronted troubles alongside their journey. After their first gig they weren’t acknowledged for all of the arduous work that they put into producing music and albums on an area tv channel. Once they voiced that that they had not obtained the due recognition for his or her work, they have been blamed for not having signed any official contract. So, the Tv channel was not held accountable for the copyright infringement. He additionally mentioned, “I’ve realized by expertise that onerous work at all times pays off, even when we do not obtain the credit score we deserve immediately. Our Lord gives for us and watches over us, even in our instances of hardship and loneliness.” Though the group confronted numerous rejection, Fr. Lijo noticed it as a chance to create new initiatives and open doorways for individuals who have been neglected and didn’t get an opportunity. He remained proactive and was decided to make a constructive influence regardless of the setbacks.

Band members carry out collectively

Quite a few Packages the Band conducts

The band members of DREAMS, who name themselves Dreamers, launched into a bus journey to carry out stage reveals, together with music, dance, and theatre, addressing 53,000 college students starting from Trivandrum and ending in Bangalore. This was a particular initiative to rejoice Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara’s two hundredth birthday, who’s the founder and patron of CHRIST (Deemed to be College. The Band just lately had a really profitable efficiency at CHRIST (Deemed to be College) Lavasa in Pune, India. The Dream of the Founder is DREAMS is to turn out to be a connection between individuals, akin to the scholars going to the native communities and empowering one another.

Band members work together with the younger viewers

Influence on viewers

The principle element for creating an influence is thru the band’s musical performances. However other than that there are motivational talks between the songs. The songs they carry out are primarily based on a message; between every music the band members work together with the viewers by sharing their private anecdotes. The band emphasizes on their lyrics and to assist viewers have a greater understanding of the message. Performing frequently and getting ready for occasions is just not straightforward however the letters and drawings from the youngsters for whom the band performs, makes the whole lot worthwhile. Each the viewers and the band members encourage one another to maintain going.

Group photograph of the band members

Band members as one Household

The preparation for every efficiency is an thrilling journey for the band members. After their intense follow periods, they spend high quality time collectively, checking in on one another and discussing any issues that come up. This can be a protected house for them to experiment with their creativity and determine any shortcomings from earlier performances. Total, the method of getting ready for performances is a collaborative effort that includes working towards, reflecting, and bonding as a group.

A band member who had struggled with despair was capable of finding solace in performing small acts of kindness for youngsters, which gave him a way of function and helped him go on by his each day life. Father Lijo Thomas couldn’t have achieved all of this on his personal. The success of the undertaking was as a result of arduous work and dedication of the school members and college students who shared his imaginative and prescient and fervour for making a constructive influence on the world. It’s essential to acknowledge the contributions of everybody concerned in a undertaking, because it takes a group to attain nice issues.

Fr. Lijo and the Dreamers have created a supportive and welcoming group that empowers people of all ages and backgrounds to succeed in their full potential. Fr. Lijo’s private story of overcoming shyness and self-doubt to turn out to be a profitable musician and chief is an inspiration to many, his message of hope and chance resonates with individuals all over the place. With its dedication to nurture expertise and potential, Let Us Dream is constructing a brighter future for a lot of.