A Journey of Growth and Resilience

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher.

When I first heard about the fundraising activity, I thought the biggest challenge would be convincing people to donate. I was wrong. The hardest part was convincing myself to ask.

As someone who rarely asks others for anything, requesting donations for a social cause pushed me far outside my comfort zone. Initially, I had planned to participate physically in fundraising activities. However, due to my academic commitments and internship responsibilities, I could not join the on ground fundraising efforts as much as I had hoped. Instead of giving up, I adapted my approach and decided to raise funds online through social media and my personal network.

I started by reaching out to friends, family members, and acquaintances through my social media accounts. I explained the purpose of the fundraising campaign, the impact their contributions could make, and why this cause mattered. Through these efforts, I was able to collect a donation of PKR 500 from my social media account through stories. I also became a part of Bin Naimat Foundation, a non profitable organization working for underpriviledged people, where I continue volunteering and collecting funds for those in need.

One thing I quickly realized was that fundraising is not simply about asking for money; it is about building trust, communicating a purpose, and inspiring people to contribute towards a shared cause.

Most of my fundraising efforts were carried out individually. While working independently gave me flexibility, it also meant facing rejection and hesitation alone. I admired the efforts of my fellow participants who stood in public spaces, approaching strangers with confidence and determination. I had wanted to experience physical fundraising myself, but I lacked the confidence to approach unknown people without the support of a group.

I noticed a clear difference between individual and group efforts. In a group, there is encouragement, shared responsibility, and collective confidence. Individually, every conversation feels personal, and each rejection can feel discouraging. However, individual fundraising also taught me accountability and strengthened my communication skills.

The greatest challenge I faced was overcoming my fear of asking. I have always been someone who prefers solving problems independently rather than seeking help from others. Asking people to donate made me worry about being judged, rejected, or becoming a burden.

There were moments when I hesitated before sending a message or explaining the cause. I questioned whether people would respond positively or even take me seriously.

To overcome these fears, I reminded myself that I was not asking for myself. I was advocating for individuals and communities who genuinely needed support. I focused on the impact rather than my discomfort. Instead of allowing rejection to stop me, I kept reaching out to more people, refining how I communicated the cause, and appreciating every contribution, regardless of its amount.

This experience completely changed my perspective on resilience. I learned that resilience is not about never feeling afraid or uncomfortable. It is about taking action despite those feelings. It is about continuing after hearing “no,” adapting when your original plan does not work, and finding alternative ways to achieve your goal.

Because I could not fully participate in physical fundraising, I shifted to digital methods. Because asking felt uncomfortable, I practiced it anyway. Because some people did not respond, I continued reaching out to others.

Fundraising taught me empathy for those who dedicate themselves to social causes every day. It made me appreciate how difficult it is to advocate for others and ask people to contribute towards something bigger than themselves.

Most importantly, it taught me that growth begins where comfort ends.

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

This journey was not just about collecting donations. It was about discovering that resilience is built through persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to keep showing up even when something feels difficult. And for that lesson, I am truly grateful.