Atono Tsukrii
KOHIMA, APRIL 8
‘Oh Lord you brought us out from a mighty long way, a mighty long stay in the wilderness….to a better place. You brought us out, to bring us in’ chorused the children of orphanage ‘Bright Morning Star Children Home’ at a function in Kohima. Their eyes glistened with innocence, confidence and hope.
These eighteen children, who are either orphaned, abandoned or underprivileged found hope in young lady and social activist Abi Angami who founded the Home in 2012. She has been financing this home with her own salary and by selling homemade food, crafts and flowers that she makes herself to support the cause.
Abi Angami, a determined and strong willed lady who, against all odds, sacrificed her dreams and took the poorest children as her own, takes good care of every child, feeds with nutritious food, proper accommodation, clothing, education and medical care. Because of this, the orphanage is befittingly called a ‘Home”.
Abi hailing from Zhadima Village, shares her journey made thus far. The eldest among four siblings, Abi was born and brought up in Wokha where she did most of her schooling. She went to Bible College in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, and served in an organization in Tamil Nadu for several years. After coming back home in 2011, she has been serving as an Associate Pastor in Assembly of God Church Officer’s Hill Kohima.
When asked what motivated her to undertake this noble endeavour, Abi with full of pride said she started this home while she was just 26 years old, ‘never thought that someday I’ll get the privilege to take care of children’.
Recounting the early years as a student, Abi said like any other student, she always wanted to be a missionary and travel across the world. And her dream actually did come true, when she got the opportunity to go abroad like Germany and South Africa with sponsorship.
However, in the midst of all the preparation for the journey, things took a different turn. Narrating the incident, Abi said the deciding moment for her to choose between her dreams and the homeless kids, was in the year 2011 when two children were abandoned by their parents and left at her house (then, her parents’ home). ‘Seeing these two beautiful kids my heart just melted’, said Abi with a glint in her eyes. “This made me realize that there was no point living for myself. I then wanted to do something for kids.”
She admitted that initially it was hard, as she had to sacrifice her entire dreams and build an orphanage. In 2012, ‘Bright Morning Star Children Home’ was officially dedicated and registered under government of Nagaland as non-profit organization.
“God has different plan for me, a plan that is greater than I have, and God’s plan is never wrong. My heart is always drawn to the orphaned, abandoned and underprivileged children.”
Sharing her vision and dreams for the children, Abi said, her kids should get quality education, disciplined and trained in every aspect of life to be assets in the society.
The kids, she said with pride are very talented, “we have singers, musicians, dancers, painters, comedians and they have also been excelling in their studies. I dream to see them excel in every field”. She further said that the organization envisions reaching out not only to the needy children but women, widows, aged persons and people in remote areas who need help in different ways.
Things do not always come easy as it seem, and Abi has had her share of difficulties and hardships, as she recounts that in the initial years they were in a rented house, but had to vacate the house due to some reason, and were stranded with nowhere to go. Seeking a divine intervention they fasted and prayed. And at the same time, they worked hard to sell their home-made crafts and cakes etc. Abi wanted to let kids feel the responsibility and to trust God.
Abi said, she had to take loans and go around introducing their products for sale.
At present, construction for permanent home has started since January at Perizie Colony, High School though there were some initial hiccups.
She thanks God, friends, well-wishers and government who have come forward to extend help. “It’s a miracle we have our own home now” said Abi with happiness.
Abi acknowledged her four full-time staff, family members and her husband Praveen Martin for their supports.
‘Friends and well wishers have always been supportive. It couldn’t be possible without them. I have many friends whom I am so blessed with. They are angels on earth!’ particularly Alobo Naga and friends for organising the biggest show ‘coffee for a cause’ sponsoring the children’s education for a year.
Indeed as the lyrics of the song goes ‘There are strangers, there are no outcasts. There are no orphans of God. So many fallen, but Hallelujah there are no orphans of God’. Kudos to Abi Angami for taking care of our children in need.
