Fundraising for Nicaragua

Last week, I received confirmation that I will be going to do voluntary work in Nicaragua for 10 weeks in September. In order to participate in this unique opportunity, however, I need to fundraise £800.

My first step toward fundraising the money was the personal challenge of being silent for a day. As someone who loves to talk, speak to new people and engage in small chit-chat, I did not actually appreciate how much of this would be a challenge to me. So far, I have been silent for four hours and I can safely say that these have been a challenging four hours.

While some of my friends try to provoke me with statements which would normally get a strong reaction from me, it becomes more a humorous situation where my facial expression just shows disapproval. However, when I walk past someone who I would normally just greet - I struggle to block the words out of my mouth. It feels like I have to block all these words that want to come out, and while they are not verbalised they run around my head erratically.

My reaction to the challenge has been interesting. I could keep it safe; stay sat down and only interact with those who approach me. Instead, as a friend said, I go after the 'attention'. I think this is to compensate for not being able to speak. I cannot go unnoticed, I need to do something; I need to interact.

What has my challenge showed me? 

It has undoubtedly showed me how much I love to communicate with people. Restricting my communication with others is a tremendous challenge for me, at both a physiological and emotional level. I feel that I am not allowing myself to be me.

It has also demonstrated to me how many aspects of our daily life we take for granted. We all communicate, and while loosely quoted statistic that 80% of communication is non-verbal, today I have had the opportunity to appreciate and value of those 20%.

The purpose of a personal challenge while fundraising is to 'suffer'

I am grateful I gave myself this opportunity to be silent for a day. Sure, I have laughed a lot but I have also faced a tremendous frustration of not being able to express myself fully.

Here's to another 20 hours...

If you want to donate and find out more about the cause, please give my Justgiving page a look:

https://www.justgiving.com/Bea-Marques