EMN
Dimapur, May 13
A three day Peace Counts program funded by Berghof Foundation was organized at the local ground Wokha from May 7 to 9 by Peace Counts North East India in collaboration with the Youth Department Wokha Town Baptist Church, Team Metamorphosis and Tsumang Youth Fellowship. More than hundred participants representing Forest Youth Fellowship, Tsumang Youth Fellowship, GA/CC/PWD Youth Fellowship, Etsuchuka Youth Fellowship, Nepali Baptist Church, Ao Baptist Church Youth Department, and Tsumang Youth Organization attended the program.
The three days event covered lots of activities like Peace Seminar, painting competition on the theme Peace for children where Roney Odyuo of Nepali Baptist Church won the first prize. A Handprints campaign was also conducted followed by Human chain. To commemorate the event a Peace Feast was offered to all the participants. One of the great attractions was the Football for Peace, a new concept in football where boys and girls played together in mixed teams. There were no referees but mediators and the teamers (coaches), rules were set by the players before the play and members were encouraged to share their experiences of playing the game. The first goal was to be scored by a girl only then the goals scored by boys were counted; a sign of inclusiveness, women empowerment and unity. Winners were decided through the goals, fair play points and the bonus points scored.
Forest Youth Fellowship emerged as the champion of the tournament by defeating Tsumang Youth Fellowship. The event concluded with a burning of one weakness each of the participants wrote on a paper as a sign of giving up those that hinders Peace initiatives, a step towards Peace Building, and with the commitment that they will be instruments of peace in the families, with friends and others. The team also visited Christian Model High School and Springdale School for short peace Talk.
Meanwhile, the organizers has thanked all the participants, Peace teams from Clark Theological College, Aolijen: Mokokchung, CTC students of Wokha Town and well-wishers especially the sponsors, Berghof Foundation Germany, Mhathung Yanthan, Director Land Resource and Development, Shanthungo Ezung, Thungdemo Humtsoe, 17 Assam Riffles and all ranks & files, Renthungo Kikon, Mhonbemo Murry, Zubemo Yanthan and Yanthungo Kikon and his family.
