A bronze Jubilee

The Dream Big volunteer initiative, which was founded to encourage members of the Bahraini community to learn English through an array of innovative ways, has turned 10 and has recently staged its annual recognition ceremony for the past academic year 2023-2024. Hence, it’s been celebrations all around!

The event, held at the Muharraq Youth Centre, was attended by representatives from charitable organizations, clubs, and youth empowerment centres as well. Volunteers and community partners were honoured for all their efforts over the past year including clubs, charities, and individuals who supported the initiative.

Dream Big also recognized prominent figures who contributed to its establishment and the first cohort of its students and volunteers.

"Over its 10 years, the initiative has created an attractive environment for thousands of students and hundreds of volunteers, offering a noble goal and a unique mission,” said Dream Big president Jassim Makhlooq. “The volunteers in this initiative exemplify the creative and ambitious Bahraini youth, and the annual Dream Big event is a moment of reflection, celebration, and appreciation for the remarkable efforts that have had a genuinely lasting impact on the lives of individuals in the Bahraini community. This is the least we can do to acknowledge what our volunteers have contributed throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.

“It is crucial that I extend my sincere gratitude to all who made this celebration possible, especially our sponsors: Karami Catering, Tariq pastries, Kababi Restaurant, Mdoozan Cart, and Warda Cook-Away Café. Last but not least, may we continue this journey for decades to come, God willing.”

Special awards for exceptional achievements were also presented including the Best Volunteer Award, Best Assistant Leader, and Best Leader of the academic year along with the most anticipated category- the Branch of the Year.

• The Best Leader award was given to volunteer Mohamed Ali from the Isa Town branch for the second consecutive year. He took on countless responsibilities, including overseeing the redesign and preparation of lessons for all stages and levels, supervising various events and side programmes.
• The Best Assistant Leader award went out to volunteer Sayed Hashem Almajed, who supported his team in the Isa Town branch in various ways and ideas. He not only lifted students’ spirits but his fellow volunteers as well.
• The ceremony also recognised the top volunteers from each of the five branches across the island, including Fatima Al-Barri from Saar,  Asma Husam from Al-Naim, Zainab Husain from Isa Town, Bibi Nahida from Muharraq, and Noor Moosa from Malkiya.
• As for Branch of the Year, that was proudly bestowed upon the Isa Town branch. According to Dream Big, Isa Town earned this well-deserved title for creating an inviting environment for volunteers, reflected in their high attendance throughout the school year, surpassing a milestone of one thousand volunteer hours. They organized numerous outstanding activities for both students and volunteers, implementing many creative ideas and supervising various programmes and events with professionalism and coordination, fostering a sense of family among the team.