Campers of the first ever inclusive youth camp in Nagaland state held at Living Tree Prayer Tower, Shokhuvi from January 5 to 7.
Dimapur, January 10 (MExN): The first ever inclusive youth camp in Nagaland state was held with the theme ‘equip to conquer’ was held at Living Tree Prayer Tower, Shokhuvi from January 5 to 7. It was organised by Gospel Riders Ministry.
The three-day event was supported by the office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Social Welfare Department, Nagaland and Living Tree Prayer Tower Ministry. A press release received here stated that basic disable friendly venues were made such as disable friendly toilets, ramp where necessary, Braille kits and sign language interpreter. The camp saw the active participation from the disable community without special treatment.
Open to all denominations and tribes at Shokhuvi Village near ARTC, Chümoukedima, 150 youths participated in the camp where 16 Persons with Disabilities attended the first-ever Inclusive Youth Camp. Four were locomotor disability, one low vision and 11 with blindness participated in the event. People from non-Christian background also attended the camp. Kuputo Shikhu was the Camp Director while Hinoto Achumi and Ashe Kiba were Co-Camp Directors.
“This is indeed an eye opening experience for us, and we were stunned when briefed that no special treatment should be given to them since they can also do what other people can do, and indeed they actively participated in all the activities. A Disable Band performed awesome worship songs and other special numbers,” said the Camp Director, Kuputo Shikhu.
Diethono Nakhro, State Commissioner for Person with Disabilities Government of Nagaland, also a disability rights advocate, addressing as the resource person reinforced the idea of ‘inclusiveness’ of the disability community in our society. She reiterated the idea that inclusiveness means equally inclusive in everything and no special treatment.
The Commissioner said that more of these kinds of activities should be initiated in the days to come and thanked the organizer for bringing up such an initiative in our society.
Er Kumughato Chophi, Assistant Program Officer, Department of IT&C stressed on the youth and digital age that we are living in. ‘Be serious with your Christian identity,’ said the special guest, Kiyekhu Kiba, Income Tax Officer, West Bengal. The speakers of the camp were, Awoto Awomi, Convenor Gospel Riders Ministry and Shunato Sumi, Chaplain GLPHC, Kuhoxu.
Special artist appearances were made by Nikato Tamang and Joshua Shohe at Music Night and Stand up Comedy by African Makishiu at Comedy Night.
