Manipur’s Churachandpur District (though Lamka is the original name) is one of the most backward regions in the country. While the people settling in and around Lamka town may be relatively better off, the people settling in the interior villages (called Zodawn in local parlance) are caught in a time warp. It’s as if they are still living in the dark ages. Lack of infrastructure, poor healthcare facilities, non-existent power supply, poor communication and teacher-less schools, etc make the future of these unfortunate lot, especially the young generation really bleak. Particularly heartbreaking is the state of education in Zodawn which is in total disarray. And if something is not done, and done really fast, the very survival of our people, as a nation or tribe or whatever you choose to call it, is at stake.
The Class of 99 Initiative-With these thoughts weighing heavy on their minds, 11 years after they went through thick and thin, through trying and harrowing times, the Class of 1999 of Rayburn College, New Lamka, Manipur had a re-union in the national capital, New Delhi recently. On that fateful day of 8th August, 2010, the Class of 1999 deliberated upon the various issues facing our people back home and noted with concern the state of education in Zodawn. The participants had a brainstorming session on what contribution the “diaspora” can have in this regard and agreed that monetary contribution is the only way out, as of now. They agreed that contributions may be solicited amongst those interested and for a start, poor, needy and deserving students should be sponsored. The participants also agreed to meet at a later date to deliberate upon the details of working out such an arrangement.
Accordingly, a meeting was held again on the 13th August, 2010 and a society (rather an initiative) called “TEACH ZODAWN” was formed. The society, it is agreed, will give monetary sponsorship to the poor and needy Zodawn students. As a first step, a decision was taken to sponsor two needy students at Siamsin Hostel in Sinzawl for the current academic session. As time passes on and as contributions pour in, more and more students from other villages and schools of Zodawn will be sponsored.
Why Teach Zodawn? Some may say, if you are not going there to teach the students yourselves, is not the use of the word “Teach” a misnomer. But we beg to differ. True, as of now, we are not going to Zodawn to teach the students. However we are contributing towards their betterment. So in a way, we are teaching them the worth of education, that education makes you a valuable person. That education gives you a better life. That it enables you to help the less fortunate. That we are teaching them to study and to work hard so that one day they will be able to help people less fortunate than them. We hope that Teach Zodawn will act as a motivation and wake-up call to the students (those who are teached), teachers (those who teach) and other stakeholders like parents and our leaders. We are hoping that this small effort on our part will ensure that one day, all our children will have the opportunity to complete schooling and will help break the cycle of educational inequity.
There is no denying the fact that where a child is born determines the quality of his or her education and life prospects. And that there is a huge gap between those children in Zodawn and those in the Lamka area. Teach Zodawn is an effort towards bridging that gap. Education is a great leveler and we are taking tiny steps towards that end.
Critics may argue, why a new initiative when the Project Nehemiah of BYF, EBCC Delhi and the SSPP General Headquarters Foundation Trust are already there. Why not just support and contribute to these initiatives? First, Project Nehemiah of BYF Delhi EBCC is a denominational undertaking. Teach Zodawn is an all-encompassing enterprise, beyond any barriers of denomination, area, language, tribe, etc. Also, Project Nehemiah is mainly concerned with building of infrastructure in EBCC-run schools in Zodawn. Teach Zodawn is about building people. SSPP Foundation Trust is especially meant for poor students who got admission to professional courses and those who are unable to pay the admission fees. Teach Zodawn is about sponsoring school-going students in Zodawn. The Teach Zodawn Team really appreciates the efforts made by BYF Delhi and SSPP General Headquarters in the field of education and Teach Zodawn is not in anyway an attempt to undermine the already existing initiatives. In fact, Teach Zodawn is an effort to supplement these efforts and we draw inspiration from them.
How to contribute and the Teach Zodawn Team-
Monetary contribution will be accepted, no matter how small or huge the amount is. It can be Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs. 100, Rs.1000 or even Rs.10,000. It can be paid once in lumpsum or in small amounts every month whichever is convenient for you. Teach Zodawn Team can also make arrangements for individuals or groups who want to sponsor students on their own. Details of the students sponsored and the progress report will be updated to such individuals or groups regularly. For further details and manner of contributions, the Teach Zodawn Team can be contacted.
TEACH ZODAWN TEAM
Teach Zodawn Team is formed from amongst the members of the Class of 1999 who are presently settled in New Delhi as follows-
Chairman-L.Chinhaugou (09873471680)
Vice Chairman-Mangkhum Tonsing (09811303277)
Secretary-Thangkhanlian(09999776623)
Assistant Secretary-Thangchinlian (09899348158)
Finance Secretary-T.Vunghbiakmuan (09818842280)
As the Teach Zodawn is not yet registered, contributions can be made at the bank account details given below:
T.VUNGH BIAKMUAN
Bank account no. 30688164496, State Bank of India, R.K Puram Branch
IFS Code-SBIN0001076
Branch Code-01076
There will be transparency and accountability in financial matters. Every rupee contributed by you will be accounted for. Details of monetary contributions received, expenditures and progress reports will be updated regularly through our blog, www. teachzodawn.blogspot.com. To help us in this exercise, we request those who deposit money through the bank account to intimate us your name and amount through sms on any of the above numbers or through our email. Feedback, suggestions and queries can also be sent to our e-mail-teachzodawn@gmail.com.
Zodawn is currently facing one of the worst educational crises. We urge you to wake up, and be the change. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14). We need each and every one of us to be a significant part of the solution. We need you to lead our people out of this crisis.
good initiative
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