Mount Carmel Home in Sukhalu village, Zunheboto district, provides shelter, education and care for underprivileged children. (Morung Photo)
Tokavi K Zhimo
Zunheboto | August 9
In Sukhalu village under Zunheboto district, Mount Carmel Home has been quietly caring for underprivileged children for over 15 years, providing them with shelter, education and guidance.
Established in 2009 by a non-governmental organisation, the home currently houses 10 children, seven boys and three girls, mostly from Zunheboto and Kiphire districts. The oldest is in Class 9 and the youngest in pre-primary.
The children are enrolled in Government Middle School (GMS), Sukhalu Village, and St. Anthony School in Zunheboto. To ensure consistent access to quality education, the organization arranges daily pick-and-drop services for the children through a hired taxi service, a cost borne entirely by the home.
Warden Joshua, who has been with the home since 2015, recalls how in 2016–17, one student received free admission to St Anthony School. “That small gesture eased our financial strain and meant a lot to the child,” he said.
The children are admitted to the home through referrals by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which plays a crucial role in identifying and supporting vulnerable children across the region. Once they reach the age of 18, the young adults are transitioned to vocational and skill development programs or placed into private service roles, again through guidance from the CWC. This pathway ensures that they have an opportunity to stand on their own feet after leaving the home.
With capacity for 25 children, the home is run by 10 staff members. Safety is ensured through CCTV surveillance on the premises. Alongside academics, the children participate in games, competitions, picnics and exposure trips — including a recent visit to Dimapur led by the proprietor.
Health and hygiene are also prioritised. In 2022, a Reverse Osmosis mineral water plant was installed under a CSR initiative of Cochin Shipyard Limited, supported by the Nagaland government, Startup Nagaland and the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), to provide clean drinking water.
“Our goal is to provide more than food and shelter. We want to offer these children a chance at a better life through love, education and structure,” Joshua said.
Despite financial constraints and limited resources, the home continues its work, supported by the dedication of its staff and well-wishers-a compelling example of how community-led initiatives, rooted in compassion and sustained by hard work, can create meaningful change.
