Mother’s Hope founder becomes first recipient of Award; Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyu delivers first lecture
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 23
The Kevichusa Foundation, a charitable foundation of the family of A. Kevichusa, today organized the inaugural presentation of the ‘A. Kevichusa Citizenship Award (KCA)’.
The occasion was instituted by the Foundation to celebrate and promote ideal citizenship. The award will recognize, annually, an indigenous individual or group from Nagaland that has consistently championed, demonstrated, and embodied the ideals of citizenship, and sought the common good of the people of Nagaland or collective sections and constituencies thereof.
A. Kevichusa hailed from Khonoma Village and was the second matriculate among the Nagas, the first Naga graduate, the first Naga officer and magistrate of British India; Honorary Captain of the British Army; a recipient Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE); the first Naga Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer; founding member and first Chairman of the first regional party of Nagaland, the Democratic Party of Nagaland; a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); and one of the first translators of the first Angami Bible.
The first recipient of the KCA was Moamenla Jamir, Founder of ‘Mother’s Hope’, a shelter home for pregnant girls undergoing crisis pregnancies, providing a permanent home for newborns and infants, a home for young girls who are victims of sexual abuse. Mother’s Hope is a nonprofit organization run on donations. All services are free including adoptions.
Social change in 16 years
In her response to the award, Moamenla Jamir recounted how when she shared her visions in the beginning, the initial response from people and the churches was not encouraging. People viewed Mother’s Hope as a total failure from the beginning.
Over these past 16 years, over 21300 people have directly benefitted from the various services provided by Mother’s Hope.
“We are also seeing a slight positive change in the mindset of our people; there were times when the stigma over unwed pregnancies made people uncomfortable. But last year alone we had 2700 people from various communities, including Churches who came to fellowship with us with their offerings. I see such wonderful change in how people perceive Mother’s Hope. This is after a decade of our services,” she said.
She also recounted that her grandfather was the one person who had inspired her to her life’s calling. In conclusion, Jamir called for social responsibility and asked, “What investment have we made in another humans life? Why not in your capable influential position that you are in what is the investment that you can make?”
The introduction of the A. Kevichusa Citizenship award and recipient was given by Dr. Kethoser Kevichusa. Introducing the recipient to the audience, he stated, “In 2001, one person did a month’s survey of six medical clinics in Dimapur. This young lady found out that in that month alone, 556 abortion procedures were conducted. The finding of this rough survey drove this citizen to create a safe and caring environment for those babies and mothers where they could be reformed and rehabilitated. When she started, doors were closed and she was criticized for her work saying she was encouraging sexual promiscuity and immorality. Nothing can be farther from the truth. In her 16 years of work, only 10 per cent of the women who come to her shelter home, some as young as 11 years old, were a result of consexual sex. The other 90 per cent were a result of incest or rape. But because of her courage and determination, hundreds of women have been rehabilitated and reformed. For 16 years, this woman has silently and relentlessly gone about her life’s calling- to saving lives, especially saving lives of the most vulnerable section of our society. Her life and work reminds us that every life- even the most vulnerable should be valued. By giving her this award, Nagas and Nagaland will continue to go on, we have a future and we can be a civil people in a civilized society.”
The award was handed over by the surviving children of A. Kevichusa. The award carries a citation, an engraved medallion, and cash prize of 3 lakh rupees.
The event was held at DBIDL Hall, Don Bosco Campus, Dimapur. The order of ceremony was led by Dr. Kivileno Sakhrie with Bible reading and prayer by Rev. Vilodi Sakhrie.
The Chalie Kevichusa Memorial Lecture
Along with the KCA, the Foundation also held the annual ‘Chalie Kevichusa Memorial Lecture.’
Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyu, Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Kohima, presented the first Lecture. He chose the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer because he had heard a lot about him, and also because international symposiums on his life and thoughts have been held, his books and his letters are read all over the world, and many people have written about him.
Chalie Kevichusa was Editor of Ura Mail and a visionary leader and tireless crusader of peace. He was assassinated in 1992. The Lecture has been instituted with the hope that it will serve as a conscientious and civil public forum for reflecting and deliberating on the ideals that forge and promote a common vision for the common good.
Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Chalie Kevichusa’s passing, tributes were paid in memory and celebration of his life. A rendition of the Lord’s Prayer was sung by Prabhat Chandola. A tribute was also given by Vinilen John, eldest grandson of Chalie Kevichusa. Poetry readings were presented by Manoj Bhattacharjee and Dr. Vivee Peseye.
