“You will never find children in Germany this excited to receive school uniforms,” Katrin remarked during a press conference held post ‘The Joy of Giving’concert. She was making a reference to how children could barely contain their happiness and joy when they received school uniforms bought through the first fundraiser. The concert held this month was the second such fundraiser organised by Katrin and a group of like-minded Naga people who want to create a difference in the lives of underprivileged children.
Nagaland is blessed to have social workers like Katrin who are not from here but have so much love and concern for its people. It all started four years back when Katrin travelled thousands of miles from Germany to Nagaland because she wanted to visit the place. She had enrolled in a training course to prepare herself to go abroad and to commit to work in a social organisation. She always had the desire to invest her life for the poor and underprivileged people.
In the year 2011, for the first time in her life, she met a Naga person who shared stories about Nagaland. Katrin said she was inspired and touched. She then started to pray for Nagaland. She found herself filled with thoughts of visiting Nagaland which grew stronger with each passing day. Finally, along with some other people who trained with her, Katrin took a short trip to Nagaland.
As she narrates this story, Katrin says, “Immediately I knew that this was the right place and I fell in love with the people and country”. And fall in love she did! Katrin is now engaged to Akihito, with whom she started an open air café called “The Garden” in Super Market, Dimapur. The place is well-known for its delicious food, friendly ambience and is considered a hotspot for musicians.
But no matter what wonderful things were happening in Katrin’s life, it was her heart’s desire to help the poor and underprivileged people. As she went about running the café, she saw children roaming around the neighbourhood during the day and even at night. These children also started loitering around the café.
“Everyone knows that the Dimapur Super Market area is quite tough and not a good environment for children to grow up in a healthy manner. We saw the condition of the kids and we started visiting their homes, meeting the parents or relatives. Almost all the kids are Nagas, and are living in the second hand shops and bus stand. Many of the parents are running booze joints. I felt the passion to invest in the lives of the children. I want to build a good relationship with them, consider their needs and teach them simple things, like basic hygiene, manners, values etc. I want to let them experience the love of God as well,” she shares her vision.
This was how ‘The Kids Garden’ program came to life. Katrin meets with the children from the neighbourhood twice every week, on Tuesday and Saturday. She is also helped by a family from Germany, Ben and Steffi, who are here in Nagaland along with their kids, and together with Katrin are influencing the lives of the children.
But that alone is not enough, feels Katrin. She wants to give the children a proper chance in life and for their future, and to achieve this, she states, they need good education. This is where ‘The Joy of Giving’, a charity event to raise funds for the children’s school education comes in. She happily states that because of many generous people, 23 children are being enrolled in a private school this year. Katrin’s support for the children does not stop here. Not wanting to take away the responsibilities of the parents of these children, she meets them regularly and encourages them to be more aware of their responsibilities towards their child’s future.
Katrin says that she is most satisfied when she sees the children happy. "When I visit them at home, they will shout “Miss Katrin!” from afar. They are so happy and thankful to join The Kids Garden program and to go to school." She adds, “That moment when they are getting their uniforms and they are so happy and joyful about it. That moment when we give them food and we can see they are hungry, and happy to fill their stomachs. Food like meat, potatoes and vegetables are precious to them. If I can be part of the movement to make some lives more beautiful and to see positive changes in the children's lives, then I'm the happiest person.”
Katrin admits that to deal with poverty is challenging work. She explains, “It’s a very slow work! Sometimes I wish to see changes faster but I have to be patient and it takes a lot of strength, endurance and effort to guide the children for a long time. And of course fundraising for the school expenses is challenging too, though there are many generous and supportive people in Nagaland.”
Offering advice to young Nagas interested to make a difference, she states, “If I love God, love myself and love others, I'll be eager to use my life to make a change and difference. But it's necessary to really live it in our daily lives and not use only nice words, by being active and practical. Hard work, love, accountability, reliability, endurance and taking up responsibilities are the key to changes and success.”
“But wanting to make a difference is not enough”, Katrin states. She says that endurance is very important because it doesn't help to start something only to give up when it gets difficult. We have to face the challenges and go through it with patience and endurance. Katrin even admits that sometimes she finds herself lazy or not in the mood to work, but she reminds herself of the responsibility and commitment she has undertaken.
And no doubt, Katrin finds life in Nagaland to be very different. She shares that she had to learn the culture and adapt to the lifestyle. I had my struggles, but so far, I’m having a great time. I'm enjoying my life in Nagaland.
“I came with a calling to Nagaland, and when I see people being happy and getting support through my work, it inspires me and keeps me motivated,” says this humble lady who traveled all the way from Germany to share her love.
