ISAIAH PROJECT SINCE 2011

The project based on Isaiah 58:7b “Homes to the homeless poor” was started in 2011 by the Central South Division women ministries by faith with zero account. With a contribution of Rs 10/- made by each women members and fund raised by the board members, 3 houses were now constructed for the homeless poor. It was interesting to see the hard work rendered by the board members in raising funds - going out to every corner - collecting donations and selling second-hand bed sheets and quilts.

The local corps, women ministries board made selections among the applicant for house construction. Before they start their work, the divisional board members or representatives usually visited them with some basic help for their daily needs.

Here is one story:

 Chindeihniangi is a mother of 3 children whose husband violated her for many years and they divorce when the eldest is about 9 years of age. Now the eldest is 11 and the youngest is 2. She has to work for her children but with a severe health problem she could not earn the normal labour wages. Sometimes she has to work in the field and stay overnight on that place for 2/3 nights with her youngest child and sometimes without her.

While she was away the eldest boy of 11 do all the cooking, fetching water etc and take his two sisters to school. With the kind consent of the teacher of that school he has to take his 2 years old sister in the class even though she is too young to attend that school. When the board members visited them to give some rice, dal(lentils), soap, cooking oil etc. it was fascinating to saw their happy face. When asked to the middle girl how she likes those gifts “we never have these much rice in our lives, and dal (lentils) soup is our favorite dish” she replied.

Now, with the help of the women ministries and the community support they lived in their own house. The local council gave a land and all the labour work was done by the local corps members, the homeless poor can now sleep peacefully in their own home. Now they have good drinking water which they harvested from their tin roof, proper sanitation has now been practiced with good toilet facilities in the house. What a change for the children! Instead of fetching water they have more time for studies.

This year (2013) the divisional women ministries council has raised fund for another two houses. One is for a widow 65 year old living alone in a small crooked house where monsoon season is one of the worst times in a year. The other one is for a family whose father is paralyzed due to some health problem and the mother has to attend to him while she also have chronic health problem, they live in a small house free of cost from their relatives. They receive help from friend and relatives time to time but still very difficult.

Your support and donations is always welcome for homes and survival.

By - Major Lalhlimpuii HRDS