In the aftermath of the Mon fire Disaster, Eastern Nagaland Social Service Society (ENSSS) at Kiphire formed a Relief Committee with members comprising of Government employees, Politicians, Church leaders, Student activists and social workers to deliver aid to those affected connecting the other side of Eastern Nagaland with the message “With Love from Kiphire”. At the same time, it was also asked to launch a fundraising campaign. The road ahead for Mon disaster recovery was an inspirational and challenging. While deeply grateful for every contribution, large and small, the Organisation says that what they cherish most is the heart behind it.
Lithsaba TY Sangtam, Executive Director ENSSS says; for as important as funding is, their greatest wish is that the spirit of love can be awakened in the heart of each and every person around the region. Besides an outpouring of love in reaction to the disaster, the ENSSS hopes this love can be a lasting spirit which will deeply inform people's perspectives and actions. Our message of love is —to inspire people not only to help the disaster-stricken, but to awaken their love, so that we can live each day with utmost sincerity and vigilance, and does good always, every day
This inspiring and incredible Mission started from a kitchen among a group of individuals one fine early chilling cold morning with a cup of coffee in their hands, busy warming up themselves amidst hectic preparations for Christmas were on in full swing; these group of individuals after hearing a news of the fire disaster; discussed themselves to do something no matter who they are, where they are from, how they live etc.... The only communication that these people know is “the victims are our brothers and sisters who live in one amongst the unreached areas in the Eastern Nagaland Region”. Without spending much time; started off its campaign on 23rd December 2011 at Kiphire Town and nearby villages and due to the continuous inflow of contributions it was extended to 08th January 2012. Despite the festive mood the campaign continued and the response from the community was indeed encouraging and the strength of the community was an inspiration towards the success of the Team’s Mission.
"With love, we can protect the lives and can cherish our brethrens and build a society of peace and harmony. When love fills the hearts of people everywhere, our world will become a truly blessed place. This is not unachievable, for with our love, we can inspire the love in others, creating a cycle of love, says Tsointhe Sangtam, Chairman The Relief Committee ENSSS.
Flagged-off by Er. Namang Sepong Chang, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Kiphire Hq at 07:00am along with Vice President ENSF, President USSC and various church leaders and individuals taking part at Main Junction Kiphire Town, the Relief Team started its Journey of Love and solidarity to Mon with the blessings from the people of Kiphire on January 09, 2011. Upon reaching the first base, the Team were excited being greeted and encouraged by the brethrens at Tuensang Town (The Confederation of Chang Students’ Union Tuensang Hq and Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation officials.) who after knowing that Brothers from other side is on the way for a mission. Hosted by the CCSU; the Team had a delicious lunch and visited some of the Fire victims at Tuensang Town which witnessed Fire Disaster on 05th January 2011 gutting down 7-8 houses and handed over ‘from Kiphire with Love’ to CCSU officials for the distribution and initiatives. Accompanying the Team halfway proceeding to Tobu; Teams’ another base, the CCSU officials conveyed best Journey wishes to the team along with a message “Love from Tuensang” to be pass on to Yakshu and yongkhao Villages by the Team.
Knowing that Relief Team of ENSSS is from Kiphire and that the aid they receive comes from the love of Kiphire District, the disaster survivors in Mon have trusted. With each distribution, our Team find that the brethrens there are opening up to us and some have even joined us as volunteers for all logistic arrangements and Team’s needs. See that the locals' enthusiasm to help has been inspired and such altruistic love is actually something everyone inherently has, says Likhumba Y Sangtam, Director (Programs and Administration) ENSSS.
Thrilled by the presence of Akhup Hansing, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Tobu; along with Konyak Union Tobu Unit Members, DBs and Adhoc Town Council members welcoming team with huge bonfire at the official residence of ADC Tobu, the team proceeded to Guest house Tobu after a short social interaction and dinner hosted by the ADC.
Eager to meet the affected brothers on the other side soon, the members started unloading clothing materials and arrangements early next morning at 04:00 am facing chilling dew drops and colds, unexpectedly the team were surprised and excited all to find Shri. Neiba Konyak, Hon’ble Parliamentary Secretary, Youth Resource and Sports, Nagaland; waiting for the team along with administration. As the news of the road condition and communication of Yongkhao village disheartened the team at the beginning, the members were astonished to find some leaders from the said village at Tobu where the team has been staying. A short programme was conducted led by Mr. Tsointhe Sangtam, Chairman of the Relief Committee and short speeches delivered by Parliamentary Secretary YR & S, ADC Tobu and Vice Chairman Adhoc Town Council Tobu. After which all the materials and cash was handed over to Hd.DB of Tobu in the presence of various leaders and officials as stated with a mass prayer and proceeded to Yakshu Village.
The initiative taken by the Eastern Nagaland Social Service Society (ENSSS) is another historic account to be appreciated and encouraged in the eastern Nagaland. The love shown by the people of Kiphire through the Relief Team ENSSS today shall be remembered and that the care; the Kiphirians give us is something we'll always be thankful for, says Shri Neiba Konyak, Parliamentary Secretary, Youth Resource and Sports, Nagaland.
With much eagerness the team finally reached Yakshu Village, welcomed by cheerful tears and smiles, and young children helping elders in collecting debris and waste remains of the disaster and arranging at one place. The only language that can be communicated is a smile on the faces of everyone whom we meet with water filled eyes of understanding that someone from other side; whom they don’t knew or saw each other except knowing Kiphire one of the Districts under Eastern Nagaland. Though the team had a hard time travelling with poor road communication and dusty scenes, the team forgot the tiredness and upon reaching, started sharing solidarity with the victims over a cup of water, interaction at their houses and help arranging at the interiors of newly constructed houses. One thing that awakes the mindset of the team is the story behind the pastors’ of the local church. After minutes of the disaster, when asked by co-villagers, what have you saved or retrieved of? He replied, he saved or retrieved lives. That was a wonderful answer and it is told that, when the fire broke out; he left his home and started alarming the deaf and disabled and retrieving them out the nearby houses all to find his residence and church office gutted down to ashes when he reached home. It is also an amazing and miraculous story to hear that not even a single divine word have been burnt, as all registers and records of the church that was kept in the shelves were saved during the incident. The Team also took the initiative in sharing and educating all about disaster management and preventable measures and shared on proper planning in the construction so as to avoid such disaster(s). After all interaction and visits; a short prayer programme was held at Village Council Hall and thereafter the Team handing over the ‘love from Kiphire’. Then the team bid farewell to the villagers with heartfelt happiness over the completion of its mission and recalling the cheerful tears and words of gratitude through watered smiles along with the gratitude message of THANK YOU BRETHERNS to be conveyed back at home.
The journey was indeed an inspiration and challenging says the team members at the evaluation and feedback session back at home. The most challenging picture and views is the condition of the road. It is regretted that the roads; which is one of the important factor for human development was unfortunate as the team had to travel with potholes, risk of accidents due to small size roads, lack of drainages alongside the road, wigs, grasses growing like young trees etc.... In some parts of the journey, the team have to halt and clear the stones lying along the road, clear the way of drainages which intrudes at the middle of the road and clear the road so that small vehicles can pass it. Indeed a challenging trip. One thing that the team is reminded and impressed of is the words of Litingse Sangtam, Supervisor The Relief Committee ENSSS "Be prepared for crisis even when all is well, so that we won't end up wishing in vain for safety when danger befalls " At home upon reaching the Team were much delighted to share the news of its accomplishment and expressed its acknowledgements to the Kiphire Town based Churches, Unions, NGOs, Civil Societies, Wards, Kiphire Village Baptist Church and Council, and various individuals for the support and contributions towards the brethrens affected by unfortunate fire disaster and encouragement rendered to the team.
It may be mentioned that Yakshu and Yongkhao villages under Mon District was gutted by unfortunate fire with altogether more than 50 houses including Church office and granaries down to ashes on December 20 and 21, 2011 and on January 05, 2012 at Tuensang Town gutting down of 7-8 houses. The Love that Relief Team of ENSSS collected from Kiphire are; a cash amounting Rs. 1,23,048.00 (Rupees One lakh twenty three thousand and forty eight), 12 bags Clothings, whereas Teams’ transportation and needs were supported by Shri. Torechu, Hon’ble Parliamentary Secretary CAWD Nagaland & Chairman DPDB Kiphire and Kiphire Chamber of Commerce.