We are in a time of preparation. The vast majority of the country are already, or about to start preparing for Christmas. Up and down the country there are ceremonies to switch on lights with all manner of ‘celebrities’ getting to do the honours. Shops are putting out their Christmas adverts to tempt us in to buying our gifts from them. People are buying presents for family (maybe less extravagant in the current financial climate) and preparing to go to see Pantos (Oh no there not!). It is even the first Sunday of Advent this week and Christians will be preparing themselves spiritually for the festive time as well.
For Chennai Challenge it is also a time of preparation as we look to get a team for the 2012 project. Being part of the team makes you part a small group who will be travelling to Chennai in August. Team members get the chance to make a real difference to people living in poverty in Chennai. There are many challenges along the way; raising money before going to Chennai, coping with the climate and the culture, seeing poverty first hand. The rewards are far greater however, the experience can be life changing and can allow you to understand more about a different culture. You can also learn much about yourself and your own culture.
So all we need now are people who are willing to take a challenge, to step outside their comfort zone and to make a difference. If that is you, then fill in an application form and send it to us. Could you be part of something special?
Team meber James Shaw has made a wonderful video showing a little glimpse of the work that happened in 2011. Have a look and then tell us what you think!
Well just another ordinary Sunday for me then yesterday!!! Maybe not!
Experience life outside your comfort zone, one of the many challenges you are asked to face when becoming a team member for Chennai Challenge. I don’t think it gets any more outside your comfort zone then a skydive! I am one person who definitely likes to keep my feet firmly on the ground and only being 4’11 I’m never far from the ground either!
So in some moment of insanity I decided, to raise money this year I would jump out of a plane with a complete stranger at 10,000ft in the air.
So 17th April 2011 was the day. A very early start and a long journey to Nottingham begins the day. A slight detour with road works and diversions but eventually we get there with time to spare. Firstly a sausage and egg bap to get me going (after all it could be the last meal I eat). Then briefing time. A chance for us to be shown everything we will need to know to be able to complete this skydive safely. A few funny positions shown to us in the hope that we would remember. Legs back, hips out, head up, arms crossed… oh and don’t forget to smile at the camera! And that was before we left the plane. Then it was remembering to land safely. Nothing like a safety brief to settle those nerves!
Then the waiting begins and what better way to take your mind of whats coming then a game of uno! I lost of course. At this point I’m still not really nervous just excited which is surprising me. Then one by one we go, Dawn first, Joel next and after a plane of solo divers me and Max finally get up there.
The ride up to our height was interesting. Very cramped but breathtaking with the views. Still at this point I’m not noticeably nervous. We get to about 7,000ft and we start to prepare, helmets and gloves on but that’s not until we have been hitched up onto the lap of our instructor and strapped onto him within no room to spare (very snug).
Even while my instructor shuffled his way to the door of the plane I was relatively okay. It wasn’t till I was hanging out the door with the instructor rocking back and forth and trying to remember what I needed to with my legs, arms and head that my heart started to pound. Then we fall. At first you spin around but then once in position in the air the freefall is amazing! Such an exhilarating experience, it really does not feel like 131mph. The noise was incredible. I was enjoying that moment so much that I forgot I had a cameraman filming the whole thing and at the very moment he must have been getting great shots of my fetching helmet. Ooops, quick get my head up!
After 41secs our parachute is deployed. With a drastic change in speed we start to descend leisurely taking in the views, which were incredible. Eventually we get to the airfield and spin over it a bit. I catch a glimpse of our group and even manage a wave. Then in no time at all I hit the ground, safely.
All the planning and organisation and months of begging people for money and it is now over. Had they given me the opportunity to get back on the plane and go again I would have jumped at the chance! It was possibly one of the best experiences I will ever have.
This experience has taught me to forget my inhibitions and take chances. Never letting anyone especially myself tell me I can’t. The one surprising reaction I had when telling people I was doing this was ‘you’re very brave, I couldn’t do it’!!! How do you know? Until you step out of your comfort zone and try the impossible, never say never. I have given myself an experience I will never forget and in the process raised a great amount of money to change the lives of others.
Thank you to all who came and supported us, and a huge thank you goes to all those who have sponsored us.
Friday 1st April, April Fools day, picture the scene;
6am, alarm ringing whilst a reluctant team member is getting up for their next challenge which will definitely take them out of their comfort zone for at least 8 hours!
This was the day that I had promised to wear a dress (with heels, makeup and tiara!) for the first time in 7 years. What? I hear you cry! Yes that’s right, people paid to see me wear a dress! Madness, unless you are what they may call a jeans, trainers and hoody lady!
In the two weeks leading up to this event I was swamped with offers of dresses, heels and assistance with hair and make-up! My colleagues/friends, as you can tell, were loving the constant opportunity to wind me up (or as they called it SUPPORT my fundraising!) I would also like to add at this point – most did not believe I would actually go through with the challenge!
6:20am, sitting patiently, I watched as my sister began creating hair and makeup fit for a princess! During which my comfort levels decreased dramatically. As I voiced my unease at the situation, the reply ‘it is for the good of disadvantaged families and children in India!’ came and I realised that this was the first time in this years fundraising/project where I felt out of my comfort zone.
Chennai Challenge is a charity which challenges you to explore life outside your comfort zone. This is a challenge all team members have to face whether it is the actual travelling or staying in India, the cultural aspects or in my case doing an event which is far from what I am comfortable with.
8am, As I got to work, people began to arrive and they observed the dramatic change I had made. Being out of my comfort zone at first made me fairly quiet, (which if I am honest is very strange!) it also made me fairly unhappy. As the day progressed however I managed to overcome the feelings and enjoy the challenge I had set myself. I will not lie though, I was still counting down the hours and minutes till I could get out of the dress and heels and be back in trousers and trainers!
Princess for a day challenge!
To step out of your comfort zone leads to new and different behaviours. This meant I was no longer the optimistic, joking and happy teacher, friend and colleague people knew. I no longer felt secure in myself and in what I was wearing. It also led to new and different responses for example one year 6 child found it very hard to talk to me as he said I no longer looked like myself. This showed me that it was not just myself who was out of their comfort zone but also the children I teach and the people I work with. We all really enjoyed the challenge of the day and I managed to raise over £260 for the project.
When was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone? How did it feel? What was the response? My challenge to you is, step outside of your comfort zone, do something different! When you do let me know how you felt and what the response was!
