From My Circle to Strangers: A Journey of Small Acts and Big Hearts 🕊️

From My Circle to Strangers: A Journey of Small Acts and Big Hearts 🕊️

(My Journey of fund collection Edhi and Akhuwat Foundation)

Growing up, we would always say, “barry ho k ghareebo ki madad karenge” – one day we will grow up and help the needy. Finally I had the opportunity, I got the chance to live up to that promise by volunteering for fund collection for Edhi and Akhuwat foundation.

From the very beginning, I knew this wasn’t just about gathering money – it was about building trust, sharing stories, and connecting with people on a deeply human level.

I started small. I began with myself, contributing what I could. Then, I reached out to my immediate circle – friends, family, and colleagues. I made a heartfelt post and shared the bank accounts of Edhi and Akhuwat via WhatsApp and Instagram. To my surprise, this part was actually quite easy. My friends and family responded warmly and supported the cause without hesitation. Their kindness gave me the push I needed to take it further. One of the response that truly touched me;

Angel Heart 🕊️

My next step was to approach people in my hostel, along with another fellow volunteer, Tila. Talking to them felt easier, maybe because we shared a sense of familiarity. Sharing the official bank account details helped build trust, too. While some were hesitant to donate, but many handed us cash directly. Every time someone gave us even a small amount, it boosted our confidence to move to the next room and ask again.

Then came the bigger challenge: talking to complete strangers. With my group – Tila, Minahil and Amjad – we went to GCU Lahore. At first, we stopped random students in the halls, but most of them were in a hurry. They would ask for the account details and disappear. It felt disheartening at first.

But we didn’t give up. We decided to find people who were resting or just hanging out – places where we could have a real conversation. In the ladies’ lounge, we were met with kindness and encouraging words. That small success gave us the energy to keep going. Next, we headed to Shahab Garden and Abdus Salam Hall, where students usually spend their free time. Again, we got a positive response.

#ekaurekgiyarah

I realized then that every interaction was different. Some people walked away without listening. Others stood in the scorching sun, patiently hearing us out and showing genuine interest in helping. Those patient listeners reminded me of a powerful lesson: in any mission, you need to keep going, even if the results are slow or small at first. One person giving just 10 rupees was enough to keep us motivated for hours.

Approaching businesses was a different experience altogether. I remember asking our CEO for a donation with Tila. Without even asking a single question, he contributed. His gesture reminded me of the deep humanity that still exists in the world.

Throughout this journey, I often thought about Edhi Sahab – how he spent his entire life helping people, selflessly. This money wasn’t for him – it was for the countless people in need. His spirit of selflessness kept me going when things got tough.

Growing up, I always dreamed of helping people someday. In some small way, I feel like I’ve finally started living that dream through this volunteer work. It taught me that resilience is about taking one step at a time, even when it feels hard. It’s about not letting the first “no” stop you, and about finding joy in every “yes,” no matter how small.

I hope to do this again in the future – maybe with even more confidence and experience. After all, every donation, every conversation, and every act of kindness makes this world just a little bit better.

I want to thank #amalacademy for giving me this opportunity.