Across underserved communities in the Niger Delta, many children grow up without consistent care, safe spaces, or guidance, leaving them vulnerable to hunger, exploitation, and risky behaviors. For boys in particular, the absence of positive role models can create unhealthy patterns that affect not only their own futures but also the safety and stability of their communities.

In Calabar, Cross River State, the Dream Again Project is stepping into this gap. Led by Aspiring Determined Eminent Men International (ADEMI), a youth-led initiative, the project reaches over 200 street children, providing food, clothing, and mentorship. Beyond meeting immediate needs, the initiative carries a powerful message: no child is forgotten, and every child deserves the chance to dream again.

Restoring Dignity, One Child at a Time

In collaboration with The Impact Tribe, Team Paragon, Men Reset Foundation, and Street Priest Incorporation, ADEMI organized the Dream Again Outreach in Calabar on August 8, 2025. With the theme “Feeding Hope, Igniting Dreams,” the initiative aimed to restore dignity, belonging, and vision to street children and marginalized youth.

Engaging more than 200 children across locations such as Mary Slessor, Effio-ette, and Mobil, participants received clothing, nourishing meals, and stationery. Beyond material support, the outreach emphasized mentorship, resilience, and possibility through faith-based activities, games and storytelling, music, and catering.

Speaking at the outreach, Precious Adem, founder of ADEMI, encouraged the children, stating that, “Every child has a dream worth protecting. We are here to show you that you are not forgotten, and that your tomorrow can be different from your today.”

Facilitators across the various locations engaged the children in ways that reinforced the core mission of the project: meeting immediate needs while planting seeds of resilience and hope. For children accustomed to invisibility, even simple recognition and care can be transformative.

Why Focus on Boys?

While many interventions focus on vulnerable women and girls, boys on the streets face unique risks. Without guidance, they are more likely to drift into unhealthy patterns, substance abuse, crime, or violence, which affect not only their own lives but also the safety of women, families, and communities at large.

ADEMI’s approach is preventive and restorative: equip boys today so they can grow into men who lead responsibly, protect peace, and foster inclusivity tomorrow.

Building a Movement for Change

The Dream Again Project is just the first step in ADEMI’s broader vision. The organization believes that every child, especially boys and young men, deserves nurturing, protection, and guidance to grow into responsible, empowered leaders. By equipping children with tools, mentorship, and a renewed sense of self-worth, ADEMI is investing in the long-term safety, stability, and prosperity of society. Key strategies include:

• Scaling the impact to reach 300–500 children annually, and expanding to over 1,000 underserved children in the Niger Delta.
• Providing mentorship and skill-building opportunities for out-of-school children through a team of dedicated, skilled volunteers.
• Developing structured programs that restore dignity, foster a sense of belonging, and instill purpose in vulnerable youth.

Empowering Youth, Shaping the Future

The Dream Again Project is empowering vulnerable children in Calabar through mentorship, support, and skill-building opportunities. These interventions go beyond meeting immediate needs, helping children gain confidence, embrace education, and imagine brighter futures, creating a positive ripple effect that reaches not only their families but communities at large.

NDLink is proud to amplify youth-led initiatives like ADEMI, showcasing how local efforts can drive meaningful change in the Niger Delta. By sharing these stories of resilience and empowerment, we are demonstrating how grassroots initiatives can restore dignity, inspire hope, and make a lasting impact across the region.