Making dreams come true
Reach For A Dream inspires hope in children aged between 3 and 18 fighting life-threatening illnesses by making their dreams come true. We’ve realised more than 27,670 dreams since 1988. Most importantly, not one dream has been unfulfilled, regardless of its complexity.
Upon referral, we engage with each child to understand their deepest wish. Our mission is to craft an unforgettable experience that not only brings immediate joy but also strengthens their resilience and optimism in facing their health challenges.
over 6 dreams
fulfilled every day of the year
27,760 dreams
realised since 1988 (as of 31 December 2023)
2,289 dreams
fulfilled in 2024
What dreams are made of
Once a child has been referred to us, we engage with them to understand their greatest dream. Our mission is to craft an unforgettable dream day that not only brings immediate joy but gives them hope to believe that tomorrow if worth fighting for.
Dreams generally fall into one of these categories:
The impact of a dream
When a child faces a life-threatening illness, the profound impact of a dream realised is immeasurable. A fulfilled dream can be a turning point, offering not just a respite from medical treatments but also encouraging a positive outlook that can influence a child’s response to treatment. These moments of happiness are pivotal, fostering courage and hope.
Our dreamers
At Reach For A Dream, we honour the resilience and spirit of our dreamers, children who face life-threatening illnesses. They inspire us as we help make their dreams come true.
LETHOKUHLE
MEETS STOPPAMAN
LETHOKUHLE
Three-year-old Lethokuhle is obsessed with the superhero he calls ‘Stoppaman’ or, as we all know him, Spiderman. His dream of meeting his hero came true when Spidey himself showed up to surprise him. At first, Letho couldn’t believe his eyes but soon realised he was dealing with the real thing. Spidey also came bearing some dream toys including a digger truck, police car, a Spiderman backpack, and a ride-on motorbike, which made Letho grin from ear-to-ear. Once Spidey had bid Letho farewell, we treated him and his family to a meal, where he regaled everyone who would listen with the story of how he had met the real ‘Stoppaman’, carefully pointing out that he didn’t cry even once.
RYAN
GETS BOWLED OVER BY XBOX
RYAN
Ryan is a 16-year-old who has been diagnosed with Paraganglioma, a rare tumour. He is obsessed with gaming and gadgets. We took Ryan and his grandmother to Electric Avenue for a game of bowling. When we presented him with a wrapped box, Ryan was speechless at first until he finally realised what it was. With wide eyes and the biggest smile on his face, Ryan exclaimed, “Grandma, it’s an XBOX!” For Ryan, this XBOX represented so much more than just a gaming console. It meant freedom from his pain and being able to immerse himself in something he loved.
LIAM
MEETS BONGI MBONAMBI
LIAM
As a rugby fan and aspiring professional player, 13-year-old Liam, who is living with cancer, has always dreamt of meeting his hero, Bongi Mbonambi, a member of South Africa’s 2023 Rugby World Cup winning team and the formidable hooker for Cell C Sharks. He received the biggest surprise when we flew him and his father to Durban for an unforgettable visit to Hollywoodbets Kings Park, where he met his icon. They toured the Shark Tank, visiting the players’ tunnel and changing room. The highlight was when Bongi gave him one of his Springbok jerseys and some Sharks merchandise.
“It was the best day of my life. Thank you to Reach For A Dream and The Sharks for treating my dad and me like we were the heroes.” – Liam Human
MELO
DREAMS OF WHIZZING AROUND IN HER OWN CAR
MELO
Five-year-old Melo from Cape Town holds a deep affection for cars, far preferring them to dolls. We took her to Hazendal Estate, where she experienced the magical world of Wonderdal, an immersive entertainment centre for kids, and its whimsical inhabitants, the Amuki. The real surprise was a ride-on car waiting for her outside. The moment she spotted it, her entire face lit up with a brilliant smile! She eagerly hopped in and drove with gusto around the parking lot, leaving a trail of happiness in her wake. This magical day transformed Melo’s life. Her mother reported that she has become happier and more content, knowing an exciting drive in her car awaits her each day.
OYI
GETS HER DREAMPLAYHOUSE
OYI
Oyi, a three-year-old dreamer from Gqeberha, was initially reserved when we met her, but quickly warmed up upon receiving a Minnie Mouse doll and matching outfit. As she joyfully played, our Dream Team and the Remax Bay fairies constructed her dream playhouse outside. The sight of her colourful house, personalised with her name in blocks, ignited pure joy on Oyi’s face. She embraced the surprise, exploring her new home and its contents, then lovingly mothered her new baby dolls.
ZAVION
TAKES TO THE SKIES
ZAVION
Zavion, a four-year-old Retinoblastoma fighter, loves Bluey, dinosaurs and dreams of being a pilot. We took him to the Stellenbosch Flying Club where his dream took flight. Decked out in a full flying suit complete with badges and gadgets, Zavion embarked on an unforgettable journey in the sky, viewing their home from a whole new perspective. His day was made even more magical with a surprise hamper full of his favourite Bluey merchandise and his dream Bubblegum tablet for endless gaming fun. “He was flying from Stellenbosch to Paarl. My pilot was in the air and clouds. Thank you for making Zavion’s dream come true.” – Gwendeline Swarts, Zavion’s mom
PAYTON
DREAMS OF WHIZZING AROUND IN HER OWN CAR
PAYTON
Payton, a five-year-old living with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, dreamt of being a princess riding a white horse. We surprised her with a princess gown, tiara, and a visit to Outeniqua Moon in Mossel Bay, home of South Africa’s largest horses. The highlight was meeting and fearlessly riding Shadowfax, the country’s largest horse. Afterwards, she joined her mom on an unforgettable carriage ride, filled with laughter, camaraderie and scenic beauty. “Reach For A Dream was exceptional. They made her dream come true, sparing no expense, and made her feel like a princess. The work the Foundation does is life-changing.” – Renay Pillay, Payton’s mom
BUHLE
GETS HER DREAM BUBBLEGUM TABLET
BUHLE
Buhle is an adorable four-year-old girl from Aliwal North who is living with an inoperable heart condition. She loves to play games and watch YouTube videos, and dreamt of having a Bubblegum tablet to call her own. We made her dream come true! When she saw her pink and white tablet, it was love at first sight. She couldn’t wait to immerse herself in the world of games.
PEATHWIN
DREAMS OF BECOMING A NAVAL OFFICER
PEATHWIN
At just seven years old, Peathwin is courageously battling Burkitt’s Lymphoma and has dreams of becoming a naval officer one day. We gave him a glimpse of his future – complete with his own navy uniform and a surprise visit from Commander Leverne Nsibande and Warrant Officer Class 2 Byron Lombard from the Simon’s Town Naval Base. His joy knew no bounds as he chatted about his desire to board a ship once his health improved. His day got even brighter when he received his dream tablet and headphones, perfect for keeping his spirits high during chemotherapy treatments.
RUBEN
TIMELESS SYMPHONY OF DREAMS
RUBEN
Sixteen-year-old dreamer, Ruben, had a dream day that was nothing short of magical. What he thought was an ordinary trip to apply for his ID turned out to be a surprise detour to City Hall. Little did he know he was about to experience a Beethoven Concerto, performed by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra during a rehearsal – a dream for our young Beethoven lover. Adding to the surprise was South Africa’s renowned pianist and Juilliard scholar, Leo Gevisser, who flew from New York for the concert. The joy Ruben experienced upon meeting Leo was priceless. The day’s highlight was when Leo presented Ruben with a longdesired vintage Fossil watch, symbolising his resilience and courage.
ZUKHANYE
PAWSITIVE ATTITUDE
ZUKHANYE
Zukhanye, who is living with leukaemia, dreams of becoming a veterinarian. He has a soft spot for animals, especially stray cats and dogs, for whom he longs to provide the love and care they deserve . We took Zukhanye on a visit to Tygerberg Animal Hospital where, dressed in scrubs and a stethoscope, he consulted with furry patients, used ultrasound machinery, and even participated in a surgery. His dedication was rewarded when he was presented with a badge bearing the name Dr Zukhanye, which made his face light up with pride. To top it all off, he received a laptop, something he’d always wanted but had never thought he’d be able to have.
ZHARA
ICE-CREAM TRIP TURNS INTO VIOLIN SURPRISE
ZHARA
Zhara, an 11-year-old living with cancer, dreamt of owning a violin. Her special day began at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town with an art jamming session, which saw her painting a self-portrait. Later, under the guise of going to get an ice cream, Zhara and her family had a surprise encounter with a violinist, who had her mesmerised. As he finished playing, he surprised her by presenting her with a violin of her very own. Her reaction was one of elation, moving onlookers to tears. The musician also offered to mentor her on her violin-playing journey, making the day even more memorable.
MAKAYDO
FARM ADVENTURE
MAKAYDO
Makaydo, a four-year-old leukaemia patient, loves animals and wants to be a Minion when he grows up. He and his sister Zoe had an unforgettable day at Gumboot Parties Farm. Wearing a new farmer’s hat and boots, he fed pigs, befriended a horse, and held a rabbit for the first time, amazing his granny with his gentleness. After a tractor tour, he unboxed his dream – a Bubblegum Tablet he’d been longing for. His joy was immeasurable as he switched it on and shared the experience with his sister.
XAVIER
TOUCHES THE SKY
XAVIER
A 16-year-old Hodgkins Lymphoma warrior, Xavier aspires to join the Metro Police but believes that may be out of reach as he currently can’t run very far. When his dream day came around, he and his siblings had no idea why they were supposedly going for breakfast at McDonald’s on a school day. He was gobsmacked when we arrived at the local Air Force base, where he listened attentively to a presentation about the Oryx helicopter. Soon he, his sister and his dad were strapped into their seats in the Oryx and were taken for a magical flight over Cape Town. Back on land, he received an Air Force cap, badge, earphones and his dream Honor cellphone, which he said would “unlock his creativity”.
Refer
Help a child with a life-threatening illness experience the joy of seeing their dream come true.
Get involved
Discover ways to volunteer, partner, or participate in bringing a child’s dream to life.