The ‘Feast of LiFE’ was held at the Orchid Ground, Dimapur on November 19. (Photo Courtesy: LiFE)
Dimapur, November 20 (MExN): Feast of LiFE, an annual event organised by Living for Environment (LiFE) was held for the residents of Naga Colony, Dimapur on November 19.
LiFE describes itself as an environmental NGO which aligns with one of their missions of uplifting the underprivileged. Under the theme of celebrating life with the less fortunate and underprivileged, LiFE wants to draw attention to the plight of the less fortunate, informed a press release.
As per the release, with LiFE’s work revolving around waste management, they have seen first-hand their deplorable living standards and struggles. LiFE explains that for these populations, making their ends meet is the only concern.
Basic living standards, education, health or basic human rights are beyond their grasp. Even their dreams have been sacrificed. “We have been interacting with them since 2018 but we couldn’t do anything for them. It has plagued us for a long time and this year, we decided on doing something,” the release stated.
Accordingly, to raise awareness and at the same time, provide the much-requested medical care, LiFE planned a ‘day’ for them. An on-ground assessment was conducted where it was found that there were 62 households with a population of 427; and since there was no open space to organise the event, they opted for Orchid Grounds, it said.
Setting a goal of Rs 3,00,000, LiFE started a campaign to raise funds and support. For the medical care, Chief Medical Office (provided medicines and supplements); Eden Medical Center (provided medicines and their service) and Dr Michael Testeo (provided his service).
With the funds raised, Rs 95,811 in total, LiFE could include only 34 households with a population of 224, giving preference to ragpickers and families with health issues. However, LiFE has decided to provide essentials to all the 62 households, the release stated. Cold Mountain came forward and donated various essentials items (50 kgs of rice, 10 kgs of daal, 50 pieces of soap and salt respectively). Along with this, LiFE has included toothpaste, toothbrush, oil and sugar and blankets and bedsheets have also been distributed to the beneficiaries, the release stated.
The day was filled with various games and sports for the entertainment of the children and the prizes were handed out by the medical team and the event ended with a grand feast, it said.
