Three Circles, One Cause: My Fundraising Journey
Sometimes, the biggest challenge is not collecting money. It is finding the courage to ask people to become part of a cause.
When I started this fundraising activity, I thought it would be simple. I would approach people, explain the purpose, and ask them to contribute whatever they could. But as I started, I realized that fundraising was not just about collecting money. It was about communication, patience, trust, and stepping outside my comfort zone.
To make the process easier and reach more people, I divided my fundraising campaign into three circles. Each circle represented a different group of people, and each one gave me a different experience.
Circle 1: Starting with the People Closest to Me
I started with my own family, the people living in my house, and my closest friends. I chose them first because I already had a connection with them, so explaining the purpose of the campaign felt easier.
Their support gave me the confidence to continue. It also reminded me that a social cause does not always need to begin with a big contribution. Sometimes, it starts with a small conversation with the people around us.
Circle 2: Expanding My Circle
In the second circle, I approached my relatives and friends from different stages of my life, including university, matriculation, and FSc.
This was a little different from the first circle. I was reaching out to people I did not meet every day. I had to explain the purpose of the fundraising and help them understand why their contribution mattered.
It taught me that our connections can become a source of positive change when we use them for something meaningful. Every conversation gave me another opportunity to spread awareness about the cause.
Circle 3: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
This was the most challenging and memorable part of my journey.
For the third circle, I decided to approach people I did not know personally. Along with a friend, I visited nearby shops around my hostel and explained the purpose of the fundraising campaign.
Honestly, approaching strangers was not easy. We did not know how they would react, whether they would listen, or whether they would be willing to contribute. Still, we decided to try because we knew that reaching more people meant stepping outside our comfort zone.
Some shopkeepers were very kind and supportive. They listened to us and responded positively. One thing I particularly remember is how encouraging it felt when a shopkeeper gave us his time and listened respectfully to what we were trying to do. It reminded me that even when someone cannot or does not contribute, a kind response can still make the effort worthwhile.
However, not every interaction went the same way. Some people were not familiar with the Akhuwat Foundation or the purpose of our campaign. A few seemed to misunderstand our intentions and treated our request like ordinary begging. Some simply replied, “Allah bhala kary,” and moved on.
At first, these reactions felt discouraging. After all, we were trying to collect funds for a social cause, not asking for money for ourselves. But gradually, I understood that not everyone knows about every organization or campaign. Some people may also hesitate because they do not know who is collecting the funds or where their contribution will go.
Instead of taking these reactions personally, we learned to stay calm, explain the purpose respectfully, and accept their decisions. I realized that not everyone we approach will donate, and that is okay. What matters is making an honest effort.
What Was the Difference Between Approaching People Individually and With a Friend?
Approaching people from my family and friend circles felt more comfortable because there was already some level of trust and understanding.
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On the other hand, approaching shopkeepers with my friend was a different experience. We had to introduce ourselves, explain the cause, and build trust with people who did not know us.
Having my friend with me made the experience more comfortable. We could support each other during conversations and feel more confident when approaching new people.
This experience showed me that communication is not just about speaking. It is also about understanding people’s reactions, listening to them, and respecting their decisions.
The Challenges That Made Me Stronger
The biggest challenge was dealing with rejection and misunderstanding. When someone refused to donate or did not take the campaign seriously, it was easy to feel discouraged.
Another challenge was explaining the Akhuwat Foundation to people who had never heard of it. I realized that before asking someone to support a cause, we must first help them understand it.
I tried to overcome these challenges by staying patient, explaining the purpose clearly, and continuing to approach more people. I reminded myself that one person’s refusal should not stop me from trying with someone else.
How This Experience Helped Me Build Resilience
For me, resilience means continuing to make an effort even when things do not go as planned.
This fundraising activity taught me exactly that. I learned not to let rejection affect my confidence. People have different opinions, situations, and levels of awareness, and I cannot expect everyone to respond positively.
Most importantly, I learned that courage does not mean feeling confident all the time. Sometimes, courage means approaching another person even after the previous conversation did not go well.
By moving through all three circles, I became more comfortable starting conversations, explaining a social cause, and accepting different reactions. These are lessons I can use not only in fundraising but also in my personal and professional life.
More Than Just Fundraising
Looking back, this activity was much more than a task assigned by Amal Academy. It gave me a chance to connect with people, spread awareness, and understand how small efforts can contribute to a bigger purpose.
I started with the people closest to me, expanded my reach to relatives and old friends, and finally stepped outside my comfort zone to approach complete strangers.
Not every conversation ended with a donation, but every conversation taught me something.
I learned that helping a social cause requires more than good intentions. It requires patience, courage, communication, and the willingness to keep going.
My biggest takeaway is simple: We cannot control how people respond to our efforts, but we can always control how sincerely we make those efforts.
And sometimes, that is where real growth begins.
