Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 19 (EMN): Living for Environment (LiFE) organised its annual event ‘Feast of LiFE’ at Orchid Ground in Burma Camp, Dimapur, on November 19 on the theme ‘Celebrating life with the less fortunate and underprivileged.’
The programme coordinator and IT officer of LiFE, Balthazar Thong mentioned that ‘Feast of LiFE’ is a day to celebrate life with the less fortunate and underprivileged. He informed that they have targeted the non-indigenous habitants of Naga Colony residing near the dumpsite this year. He added that last year, the event was held at Neighbourhood Children Home, Dimapur.
Thong stated that the primary goal of LiFE was to find a balance which is sustainable living. He added that they were trying to make people aware on the different challenges when it comes to living in an environment before it got worse.
Thong stated that ‘Feast of Life’ was organised as it aligned with one of their missions of uplifting the underprivileged.
According to him, some of the focus areas included waste management for which they have also done thorough research and assessment in different districts of Nagaland. He added that they are also looking after the underprivileged communities like rag pickers and people working in waste management.
As Nagaland is in a stage where waste accumulation is going to increase, Thong said people need to handle it before it got worst. He stated they have also collaborated with the government agencies and local bodies on the issue.
Thong informed that there are about 150 households with a population of approximately 600 comprising of farmers, menial labourers and ragpickers and they are targeting 200 by focusing on ragpickers and menial labourers.
To raise awareness and at the same time provide the much-requested medical care, Thong said LiFE has planned a ‘day’ for less fortunate and underprivileged. He added that LiFE conducted an on-ground assessment and found out that there were 62 households with a population of 427.
For the medical care during ‘Feast of LiFE’ event, Thong informed that the chief medical officer of Dimapur provided medicines and supplements; Eden Medical Center provided medicines and their service; and Dr. Michael Testeo provided his service. With the fund amount of INR 95811 raised, LiFE could include only 34 households with a population of 224.
LiFE also provided essentials to 62 households where Cold Mountain came forward with various essentials items including 50 kg of rice, 10 kg of daal, 50 pieces of soap and salt respectively. Along with those items, LiFE has included toothpaste, toothbrush, oil and sugar, blankets and bed sheets, which were distributed to the beneficiaries.