EDUCEN volunteers distribute food and drinking water to needy and vulnerable people near Dimapur Railway Station on August 18.
Dimapur, August 20 (MExN): EDUCEN marked its ninth Foundation Day by distributing food and drinking water to around 230–250 needy and vulnerable people at different locations around Dimapur Railway Station on August 18.
Instead of holding a conventional celebration, the organisation chose to commemorate the occasion through a community-service initiative focused on compassion, civic responsibility and cleanliness.
The two-hour distribution drive was held from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM despite continuous heavy rainfall. Beneficiaries included daily-wage workers, street vendors, travellers, people experiencing homelessness and others in need.
Volunteers also placed dustbin bags at the distribution points and encouraged people to dispose of food packaging and other waste responsibly. After the distribution, the volunteers collected the waste and cleaned the surrounding areas.
The organisation said the initiative was particularly challenging due to the persistent rain and the large gathering at the railway station. Volunteers managed the distribution and crowd movement, with priority given to women, children and elderly persons.
"EDUCEN was founded with the belief that education and service can create meaningful change. We chose to celebrate our Foundation Day by sharing food and water with people who needed support," office bearers of EDUCEN said.
"Serving more than 230 people despite the rain was deeply satisfying. At the same time, we wanted to demonstrate that community service must go hand in hand with cleanliness and respect for public spaces," they added.
EDUCEN said Dimapur Railway Station was chosen as the location as it is one of the busiest transit points in the region and brings together daily-wage workers, travellers, street vendors and economically vulnerable people.
The programme was coordinated by EDUCEN members with the participation of youth volunteers, who assisted with food and water distribution, crowd management, waste collection and maintaining cleanliness at the distribution points.
Over the past nine years, EDUCEN said it has undertaken initiatives related to education, career guidance, youth leadership, skill development, environmental awareness and community service in Dimapur and other parts of Nagaland.
The organisation said it would continue expanding its educational and youth-development initiatives while undertaking community-service, relief and environmental-awareness activities.
