Driven to Reach Excellence & Academic Achievement for Males, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, Illinois, reports on a recent experience in Malawi
by Tracy Dace, DREAAM | Special to Presbyterian News Service
Five members of Driven to Reach Excellence & Academic Achievement for Males (DREAAM) stand with DREAAM’s founder and executive officer, Tracy D. Dace, outside First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, Illinois. (Photo courtesy of DREAAM)
Driven to Reach Excellence & Academic Achievement for Males (DREAAM) is excited to report on a recent international experience that was aimed at enhancing excellence in achievement, engagement, and behavioral and mental health among boys and young men ages 3–24 years old.
This unique journey took place from July 29 through August 8. The delegation arrived in Lilongwe, Malawi, on July 30 and departed from Blantyre, Malawi, on Aug. 7.
The DREAAM travelers for this mission included DREAAM’s founder and chief executive officer, Tracy Dace; two staff directors; and five high school DREAAMers.
Now in its ninth year, DREAAM was the brainchild of Dace, an educator and tireless advocate for at-risk youth, who left his doctoral studies program to become DREAAM’s founder and chief executive officer. DREAAM, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, Illinois, operates in partnership with the congregation and its members as a separate 501(c)3 organization.
The diverse group embarked on a transformative journey with four key objectives:
- Experience the beauty and culture of Malawi: Team members immersed themselves in the rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes of Malawi, fostering a deeper appreciation for the country’s unique beauty.
- Engage in community service: DREAAM travelers actively participated in volunteer service activities, including a STEM camp (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and recreational programs with local schools and youth organizations. This engagement helped to build bridges and create lasting positive impacts within the Malawian communities.
- Explore partnership opportunities: The delegation explored potential collaborations between DREAAM and a similar organization in Malawi, paving the way for future joint initiatives that support the mission of empowering young males through education and holistic development.
- Expand knowledge of Africa’s vast resources: The experience broadened the travelers’ understanding of Africa’s immense resources and cultural diversity, enriching their global perspective and informing DREAAM’s future programming and outreach efforts.
A DREAAM member speaks with the Rev. Lomax D. Chigwenembe of Matiyah Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. (Photo courtesy of DREAAM)
“We were thrilled to embark on this international experience, which aligns perfectly with our mission of fostering excellence and holistic development among young males,” said Dace. “This journey not only offered a unique cultural exchange but also strengthened our commitment to community engagement and global partnership.”
Such life-changing experiences are made possible, in part, through the Pentecost Offering, one of the PC(USA)’s four Special Offerings.
Not only do gifts to the Pentecost Offering benefit children at risk through the Educate a Child, Transform the World national initiative, but the Offering also supports the Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium and the Young Adult Volunteer Program.
A hallmark of this shared offering is that 40% of it is retained by individual congregations for local ministries, while the remaining 60% is used to support children at risk, youth and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Driven to Reach Excellence & Academic Achievement for Males (DREAAM) is dedicated to fostering excellence in achievement, engagement, and behavioral and mental health among boys and young men ages 3–24 years old. Through a range of educational and developmental programs, DREAAM empowers young males to reach their full potential and become positive contributors to their communities. Learn more here.
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