Persons with disabilities launch organization in Peren district
Peren, May 26 (MExN): “We are ‘differently abled persons’, not disabled persons,” asserted Ngaugongbe Hega, president of Differently Abled Persons' Organization (DAPO), Peren District, while explaining the meaning behind DAPO during the official launch of the organization on May 25 at Jalukie Town Hall.
He told the 162 strong members of the audience, “All of us have different capabilities and we too have our special capabilities and we are not disabled. We are abled in our own way and we should not be compared with anyone else.”
52 persons with disabilities, led by Ngaugongbe Hega, have formed the DAPO in Peren district, according to a press release from Fr. Joe Ngamkhuchung, Chairman, People in Need Foundation.
Speaking as chief guest at the launching, Dr. Atha Vizol, Commissioner for Disability, Nagaland appreciated the effort and encouraged more awareness on “disability” in the society, including political circles. He informed as per 2011 census there were 29,631 persons with disabilities in Nagaland, though many still may remain unidentified in rural areas. He further rued that out of the 29,631, less than 10,000 persons have disability certificates. In this regard, Dr. Atha suggested more medical assessment camps through NGOs.
The Disability department, he said, is still functioning under Social Welfare department as the Government has not been able to provide separate fund for the department. While explaining the various schemes for the differently abled persons, he also informed about Government supported insurance which any person with proper disability certificates could access.
At the programme, ‘Concern Citizens Forum’ Peren district was represented by Dennis Elung and Chilak Pame. Speaking on behalf of the Forum, Chilak said working for persons with disabilities is a missionary work and praiseworthy and assured that the Forum will always support such service in Peren district, the release added.
Maisongwi, Programme Co-ordinator of the Project on Child Development under People in Need Foundation gave a brief report of the activities of the project. He reported that the project covers 28 villages in Jalukie area; 271 persons with disabilities have been identified and 119 children with disabilities are attending various schools, 130 received medical assessment certificates - 70 received their Disability ID cards, 40 are under process, 25 children received aids and appliances. Meanwhile, parents association was formed on December 3, 2015 and DAPO in 2016 on World Disability Day.
Joe Ngamkhuchung, Chairman, People in Need Foundation, said the launching of DAPO was connected with larger exit strategy of his organization. The current Jalukie Project, funded by Liliane Foundation of The Netherlands through Jan Vikas Samiti of Banaras, is contracted for 8 years, he informed. It is nearing completion of four years and the remaining four years will prepare DAPO and the parents’ association to take over the work, it was added.
Pousibo, vice president of DAPO chaired the session, Associate Pastor, Jalukie Town Baptist Church said the opening prayer, and Hudin, Pastor, Liangmai Baptist Church Samziuram pronounced the concluding blessing.
