Dimapur, April 18 (EMN): It was recently that a number of youths from the youth department of Kushiabill Sumi Baptist Church (KSBA) in Dimapur went out on the streets polishing shoes, cleaning streets and even offering haircuts and massages–all for free.
All this was not to raise funds but to promote honest earning.
Every year, the youth department of Kushiabill Sumi Baptist Church (KSBA) in Dimapur has a theme as a guiding principle that the youth can follow throughout the year.
This year, the theme was from James 2:18; “I will show you my faith by my work,” a press release from the church’s youth stated on Tuesday.
“This theme was intended to address many challenges young people face today. The challenges are often a result of the erosion of values such as dignity of labour, hard work, sincerity, integrity, and honestly and also forgetting the work cultures integrity of our forefathers,” Inaho Chophi, Associate pastor of the youth of Kushiabill Sumi Baptist Akukuhou, stated in the press release.
Keeping in mind the need to inculcate work ethics and dignity of labour, the press release stated, the youth department of the KSBA ventured onto the streets of Dimapur to sell juice, tea, handcrafts made by them, it was informed.
In addition, other service such as polishing shoes, facials and massage, cleaning of streets, hair cutting, domestic chores, and collection of wastes for recycling, were also rendered for the public. These were not done to raise funds but to highlight and promote honest earning and dignity of labour.
“We believe that the Nagas need to change their mindset and outlook towards work. In this regard, the church can play a big role in initiating a change of attitude. The church should focus on the young minds and steer them towards a healthier view of the world,” the organisation stated.
According to the youths, is “an alarming trend of the young generation who want comfort and enjoyment but fail to work hard to deserve any kind of success. A huge gap is seen between young people’s desire for wealth and success and their desire to work hard for it,” the press release stated.
“The standard rule of hard work to earn respect and prove ones worthiness has taken a back seat. It is indeed sad that the youth today want easy money instead of going through the grind. This is where the church can step in and help youngsters understand dignity of labour. It is however not too late and there is still hope. All is not lost.”