The Nagaland Project

Over 9 months ago, I had booked my tickets to fly 3317 kms away from home to explore a state in the North East of India. Soon after that, the Lord Jesus impressed on my heart that He was already enabling me to go all the way there, and what was I doing about it?; that’s how The Nagaland Project  first started.

Quick recap. In the month of September, after brainstorming with my parents and some of my friends in India, the poster and campaign were put together and was put out on various social media platforms to get the word out about the project and to call out anyone who wanted to give, support and partner on the project.

The idea of ‘warming’ came about when I found out that Nagaland experienced cold winters (with no snow) and the people live without heaters in their homes and inadequate warmth. The thought of it got to me as I thought of myself sitting in my college library and freezing just by the air-conditioning; So, here I am, I’m writing to you my praise report of everything that happened.

A total of RM3060 was raised in 2 months for the cost. I was to buy the jackets in Dimapur, Nagaland itself after considering multiple factors and looking at various options. However, after getting there, we were somehow just unable to purchase the amount of jackets that we needed, as well as find the accurate sizes within our budget.

After discussing with my friends that were helping me with the project in Nagaland itself, we had to make a decision. We finally decided that we would try to get blankets instead. Soon after scouting and asking numerous wholesale retailers, we found one store that was very excited to partner with us on this project. He searched his stock and finally we purchased 90 pieces of blankets for a reasonable price. This also gave us some excess to work with for other additional expenses. He then arranged for all the blankets to be transported from Dimapur to the city of Kohima (where the project was to be done)

First thing the next morning, the 90 blankets were transported to a local hardware store. There, we hired 2 laborers that helped us carry the blankets to where we were staying, which acted as our base for the project.

Initially, the plan was for all proceeds to be used to purchase jackets for the Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home (KODH). However, we found that there has been some recent development, where KODH has been receiving government funding and were fairly well supplied with all that they needed. We then engaged a social worker to advise us on other potential needy recipients of the blankets.

Location 1 & 2 : Zasi Kilo & Awakening Bells Centre (ABC)

Zasi Kilo is a hostel/home for the students of Kidzee School located at Kezo Basa Village, 35 km away from Kohima. It is a private educational institution at Kezo Basa.

It is jointly run by Awakening Bells Centre (ABC), an organization that works with traumatized children in Kohima and Kidzee School. ABC and Kidzee School have come together with the sole intention to bring positive change among the rural children of Kezo Basa and its surrounding villages. The home caters to 10 to 15 children for this academic year of 2018.

During our visit there, we were greeted and welcomed by the principle of the school Miss Rokono K. as well as the students of the school. They then proceeded to perform a couple of songs and dance items as well as Bible verse recitations. After presenting the blankets to the children, we were then showed around the school and hostel. The school consisted of 3 small classrooms that went from nursery up to class 6 (12 years). Just after the school gate was the hostel premises. It was a shed that had 4 bunk beds and housed 8 children. Not all of the children that live in the home are orphans. A  number of the students’ parents are unfit to look after their children and their needs, due to involvement with drugs and alcohol, thus sending them to find shelter in Zasi Kilo.

Location 3 : Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) Cradle Ridge Home

NMA Cradle Ridge Home is a shelter home in Kohima, Nagaland which houses HIV+ orphans. The home supports children living with AIDS and HIV. During our visit there, what really stood out to me was the fear of God that the children had, and how well they have been looked after spiritually. Our visit to this home was very brief.

Location 4 : The Naga Hospital Authority (Oncology/Cancer Ward)

Through the cancer survivors’ association, we were invited to visit and bless the Kohima local government hospital, specifically the cancer ward. It was a really great time as we were able to meet different patients, talk and encourage them as well as pray for them. The cancer survivors’ association meets every second Saturday of the month at the hospital, where they will pray with the patients and their families, seeking God to do a miracle and to stand by their brothers and sisters in this journey.

As a student nurse, I was also very thankful for the opportunity to see what the government hospital was like in a different country and state, such as Nagaland. Having worked with cancer patients, it also opened my eyes to the fact that the issue of cancer is everywhere and affects many. I also saw that the patients in Nagaland also face other challenges, such as the cold weather and high hospital charges and battling cancer in such a situation has really moved me. It caused me to be thankful for our affordable healthcare system here in Malaysia.

During our visit, we also met with the former chief secretary of the state of Nagaland, who told us about a work in at the Naga-Burmese border called Love Burma Missions (LBM). We then extended our project to LBM as well after hearing about their works.

Location 5 : Love Burma Missions

Love Burma Missions was started 7 years ago in partnership with a number of individuals with an aim to share God’s love through healthcare, education and livelihood.

Breakdown of where the blankets went :-

Zasi Kilo                                                                  28

Awakening Bells Centre                                           5

Love Burma Missions                                                15

Cradle Ridge (HIV Home)                                      5

The Naga Hospital Authority (Oncology Ward)          5

Old Folks Homes                                                      5

Prayer Centres                                                        15

Random individuals                                                 12

_______________________________________________________________________

Total                                                                              90

Financial breakdown

Blankets (90)                                                                    47,950 // RM 2800

Carrying charge (transporting from Dimapur to Kohima)    1,650 // RM 96

Miscellaneous                                                          1,800 // RM 105 _______________________________________________________________________

Total (RM)                                                               51,400 INR // RM 3001

This project has truly taught me that God’s ways are much much greater than ours. From the donations for the blankets, to the quantity and to the locations we were able to give to, God was definitely the one who orchestrated the entire thing. The project was only supposed to be given to one home and how we were able to give to 6 different locations across Nagaland and even in Burma. God is truly able to do more than all we can ask or imagine. This was such a refreshing and new experience! I praise and thank God for this experience, His guidance, protection and good health that He gave throughout the trip and the project.

Lastly, I would  like to thank each and every one of you for giving towards this project. As cliche’ as it may sound, but truly, without each of your contributions, The Nagaland Project would not have been able to be executed. Through each and every one of your donations, we were able to bless over 90 different individuals and families. Your generosity and love has traveled far. I pray for God’s continuous blessings and good health to be showered upon each one of you. I also would like to thank Neisalhounuo and her family for opening their home to be the base for the project, as well as for helping plan the project, Megotsolie Dolie and to Madam Neidonuo for helping arrange the blanket mobilisation.

Here’s a video update of all that happened in the project 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb8FXgXaVVM