On her own journey of self-discovery, Melanie Vella meets an Iranian couple who are inspiring people everywhere to believe anything is possible.

The attainable dream of an Nepali student, Kripa.

Two colourful people stood behind a farmer’s market table in Kathmandu, Nepal, with intriguing black and white photographs spread out in front of them. I was drawn in by their genuine smiles, and as I flipped through the photographs of Indian faces and Nepali landscapes, Soha began to tell me about their journey, the countries they have visited and the children’s dreams they’ve heard about.

Soha Embrahimzandi and Somaye Farhan are two independent photographers and filmmakers from Iran, who call themselves ‘Dream-makers’. This young couple has been cycling around the world for the past two years, setting an example of the possibility of pursuing dreams; not simply their own, but encouraging whoever they encounter on the road and through their website.

The bicycle tour around the world in 80 months has transformed into an inspiring journey. They call it the ‘Tour du Mind’, as the physical highs and lows to be expected from the challenge of cycling across borders from Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Nepal has prompted them to go on an inward journey that explores life itself in the process.

Soha made a commitment to himself to start his journey on April 2, 2012, no matter how unprepared or frightened he felt. At that point he knew only two things with certainty: that he was determined to fulfil this dream and that he didn’t even have the funds to buy a bicycle.

“The hardest part is making the initial commitment; not just in your mind, but committing to use 100 per cent of whatever resources and abilities you have available, keep your goal in mind and make them work – with little worrying and plenty of trust that if you can dream it, you can achieve it,” explains Soha.

The whole mission came together when Soha met Somaye, a fashionable girl who had never ridden a bicycle before. She left everything behind with a ‘Pourquoi pas?’ attitude. Their story echoes many concerns raised by other potential travellers, or people who are hesitant to follow their dreams and ambitions.

The objective is to enable them to follow their heart and paint their dreams, and to remember their dreams while they grow up

In an unfortunate twist of events, Soha and Somaye lost all their travel money in the first month of their journey. A test of their determination? Possibly. Their blog tells tales of the creative ways they have continued their journey without allowing money to be a determining factor.

“Do you have a dream?” asks Soha. “Yes!” scream the Indian kids at school.

Soha and Somaye share their story with children from different social backgrounds who have little exposure to the idea of realising a dream, despite boundaries and limitations. During the Dream-making workshops held for underprivileged children from various villages, schools and orphanages they visited in India, Nepal and other countries, they have encountered sceptical children who have no faith in the power of their own dreams and ambitions.

The children are encouraged to use their imagination, to create beyond the boundaries of the material world, and put their dreams down on paper.

“The objective is to enable them to follow their heart and paint their dreams, and to remember their dreams while they grow up,” says Soha. They aim to motivate young people all over the world to live a life of ambition and hope, where their dreams always seem possible. Children’s minds are still silent so they are more receptive to this idea.

And they shared more than their story. The Dream-makers have held several photographic exhibitions. The funds raised from the art exhibition held at the United Nations House in Kyrgyzstan were donated to the graduating children of the Voenni-Antonovka Orphanage in Kyrgyzstan.

The biking couple is using their talents in photography and filmmaking to continue their journey. They have found unanticipated support from friends and people they meet from around the world who enthusiastically donate any amount they see fit in exchange for the artistic photographs taken by Soha and Somaye that chronicle their adventures while on the road.

One ‘dream-backer’, Laylee Moshiri, even sponsored a flight to India. These dream-backers become part of the journey as they feel encouraged to start their own dreams.

From a stolen bike in Tbilisi, Georgia, to three refusals to be granted a Chinese visa and having to change plans last minute, this couple continue to live their dream in spite of the challenges they have come across.

Follow Soha and Somaye’s journey through their website www.dreammakers.co.