Challenging your problem solving skills to accept failure
By: Jareer Ahmed
Tags: Amal Fellowship, Amal Academy, Edhi Foundation, Amalkindness, Donations

Challenging your problem solving skills to accept failure

Talking about donations, funds or social welfare. One name that immediately flashes through our minds is Abdul Sattar Edhi. The superhero behind on of the most famous non-profit, volunteer based organizations of Pakistan “EDHI Foundation”.

It is one of the largest and well organized social welfare networks currently working. It was founded in 1951 and is running successfully till now on non-political and non- commercial basis. Over all these year it has been serving people 24/7 without discrimination of class or color. It is operating with the support of Volunteers and massive donations that people give due to their trust in the EDHI Foundation. I with my Circle members (Circle #5) have been assigned a task of collecting funds for EDHI Foundation by Amal Academy, as a part of our project work related to the ongoing Career Prep Fellowship Program. We devised our individual strategies based on each and everyone’s personal preferences and ease. the details about our progress is explained as follows.

Jareer Ahmed:

I myself preferred collecting in person donations. For this purpose I used an empty tissue paper box for collecting money. I visited three cafeterias in my area for collecting funds and got good response. I told people that it was related to a project and ensured them that their donations will surely reach its destination #Edhi_Foundation. I also told them that they could give away money in the name of Sadqa. Many people ended up donating when they heard the word Sadqa. I also collected funds from my family members and relatives. They were also happy that someone took the initiative and donated wisely. In total I was able to collect round about 6000 rupees. The problem that I faced during this activity was that people were concerned about the fact that they had to trust someone unknown. Due to this many people donated less then they actually wanted to. But still I managed to convince most of them. I also explained the method of donation to people so they can donate directly.

We make a living by what we get, But we make a life by what we give. ~ Winston Churchill

Tassawar Abbas:

This foundation’s goals include providing deserving people with food, housing, health care, and basic necessities. Because Edhi Sahab’s goal was to serve individuals without regard for race, caste, religion, or sect, this organization has nothing to do with any of the aforementioned elements. He only cared about those in need depending on their needs. The Edhi Foundation provides 24-hour emergency assistance across the entirety of Pakistan and internationally.

As a result, we gathered cash for the Edhi Foundation. A guy who has spent his entire life collecting money and has given his time, home, and profession deserves more, but we as a community did what we could to help him out as best we could.

“Every time you do a good deed you shine the light a little farther into the dark. And the thing is when you’re gone that light is going to keep shining on, pushing the shadows back.”(Charles de Lint)

I adopted the following strategies.

1. Make a Banner

2. Make the flyer for guidance

3. Use Social Media

4. Contact Friends

5. Visit Schools

6. Visit Some shops

The Following is my banner:

The following is my flyer to guide people:

Hajra Irshad:

I started my fund collection from my family members because out of the house collection is not allowed. I am also a founder of a fund collection that gave me the spirit I have to donate to the Edhi Shb foundation.

Used my pocket money Poster formation Make my desk to collect fund

Problems Faced by Circle Members:

Tassawar writes:

When it came to this contribution, the biggest challenge I had to overcome was persuading others. I have faced many problems, it is difficult to convince anyone to donate. Everyone said I am already given the donations or said oh dear I am also stuck in a problem and you said to me that I donate something to Edhi. I am visiting five organizations in which 2 institutions and 3 firms of rice. I am struggling much more than I have but I convinced the only 2 organizations, one of them is Sohail & Co. and the other is PF Model School.

Hamail Kamran Writes:

The major problem which I felt is that people are not agreed to giving donations. They only said that okay we will give you but actually, they did not do this. When I asked them for screenshots, they are replying rudely not positively.

Hajra Irshad expressed:

Firstly, it’s really a challenging task to convince people to donate. Everyone says that firstly help your near one more than others & one more thing this foundation is just for rich busy people not for us. We donate regularly type arguments.

Noor Mishal said:

People are already helping some other people, so they are not satisfied with that to transfer the money, they said that we are giving people by Infront of our eyes, so this way was more reliable. The second thing which I faced people are not showing the slip they often said it was an anonymous work not to be shown this way.

Experiences of the Circle Members:

Tassawar says:

My experience with this activity is not much positive that I have expected. I have spread awareness about the Edhi foundation but no one responded to me with full passion or satisfaction. Some contributors suggested that you provide the Edhi foundation Account number, and we would transfer the cash straight to you. A stereotyped attitude also caused us problems. To be honest, one of my friend stated that you are collecting money for your personal advantage and worry. A few people stated that they would donate, but we did not hear back from them because it differs from person to person.

Ihtesham Barik expressed

It was very motivating and good because we came to know very deeply about the thoughts of different people regarding trust and bagging issues.

Hamail Kamran said

My experience with this activity is not much positive that I have expected. I shared information but most of them even did not consider and ignored my message completely.

Hajra Irshad said

The experience was good & also a test of patience. I used to try, try again rule & it worked a lot. Prove helpful in statement formation & communicate with people with more patience.

Noor Mishal shared

It was the most difficult thing to want something from others for others. we cannot even want to tell them that we need it for ourselves so how we can say it for the other one. I personally feel very uncomfortable sometimes and award .people have doubts sometimes why they are collecting maybe they are doing for there on selves and it was just a fun .so there are many unacceptable conditions which I faced during this.

Purpose of This Activity:

The Purpose was obvious, and we had the chance to serve our community while also contributing value to the Edhi Foundation. We were grateful and happy that AMAL Academy picked us and gave us the opportunity to hone our collaboration, communication, and leadership abilities. We were also allowed to work on the AMAL principles of progress.