Participants and attendees during the first fellowship service of the three-day Family Retreat organised by Prodigals’ Home and NSDF at DBIDL Dimapur on August 18. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 18
A three-day long ‘Family Retreat’ for Persons with Disability (PwD) took off on Friday, August 18 with a fellowship service held at the Don Bosco Institute for Development & Leadership (DBIDL) Dimapur.
The event has been organised by Prodigals’ Home and Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) in collaboration with Engage Disability India. Support was provided by Joni and Friends and office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Nagaland.
According to the organisers, Family Retreat is meant to provide respite and restorative ministry for families affected by disability, training and discipleship for the volunteers engaged in the disability ministry and to equip local churches with concepts for a sustained disability ministry among their fellow members. On the first day of the retreat, a total of 72 participants were registered comprising of 52 PwDs and their 20 caregivers.
The idea has been inspired by the Family Retreats held in others countries by ‘Joni and Friends’ a US based organisation founded by Joni Eareckson Tada that aims to share the Good News of the Gospel and provides practical help to people impacted by disability.
During the Friday fellowship, an introductory of the event was shared by Vikengunu Kera Fatima President of NSDF while greetings from Engage Disability (ED) India and Joni & Friends was given by Jubin Varghese of ED India.
A short speech of the first Family Retreat which was held in 2018 was delivered by K Vikiho Sumi, music promoter from Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhkulu (WSBAK).
Rev Grace Savino, Pastor of Grace Covenant Church gave the message to the congregation.
Speaking with one of the organisers, Ashe Kiba, GS of NSDF, she mentioned that such types of retreats specifically for PwDs gives them an opportunity to participate in societal activities which they would otherwise have not been able to in the past. “For some of them, this is the first time that they are participating in such a large gathering,” she said.
Although centred on fellowship services, the retreat further aims to enable the participants to take part in group activities such as games and sports, public interaction among others.
A talent night on the second day, August 19 will also feature music, choreography, cultural presentation, painting display with a special appearance by Miss Nagaland 2022, Hikali Achumi and Lene Jamir as well.
Living with a disability herself, Kiba viewed that the scenario in the state has been steadily improving among the mindsets of the people helped by awareness campaign and the facilities being provided to them. “In the past, we didn’t get to experience such events but I’m glad that people from the younger generation are able to do so,” she stated.
In this regard, she stressed on the need to organise more events such as these for PwDs in the years to come.
As the retreat will continue for Saturday and Sunday, the organisers expected more participants to arrive from across the different districts of the state.
