Lolano P Khuvung
Kohima Orphanage, which has been in existence for the last 32 years, was first located at Raj Bhavan area in a Government quarter. When this was washed away by landslides, Zaputuo-ü, who runs the centre shifted to PR Hill and then to the Science College area allotted to her by the Government in 1986. From 1986 to 1994, the Orphanage remained in Science College area, and in March 1994 it shifted to the present location near the landslide are of NH 39.
Zaputuo-ü, popularly called “Amma”, hails from Dihoma village, Northern Angami region. She personally raised up 693 children from infancy to adulthood out of which 13 are now married. Presently, there are 86 children on the campus.
Health Status: Since the inception of the orphanage 10 have died. Bethel Medical Centre provides free consultations, surgery, hospital stay and medicine samples. However, some medicines need to be bought. Considering their level of nutrition and proximity to each other, they seem to do reasonably well. However, when one falls ill, they all fall ill in groups.
Food: The Orphanage needs about 800-1000 Kgs of rice per month. They do not get dal to eat. The children eat twice a day, but do not carry tiffins when they go to school, so they return hungry. They get non-vegetarian meals about two times a month. They have 7 cows from which they get 3 litres of milk per day. Milk is reserved for the very weak or sick ones.
Zaputuo-ü goes hunting for leftover vegetables that are rejects in the market (but are not too bad) that are thrown away. Kohima Municipal Council also gives them the confiscated vegetables from illegal vendors at times.
Children Education: Most of the children go to the Government High School at Kohima. Two children study at Don Bosco, Kohima, two at Don Bosco, Zubza and two at Christ King, Kohima. The Assam Rifles have adopted nine children and gives them free education in their school at Kohima. The Government has set up a primary school up to standard IV in the orphanage campus. Six children are studying in various colleges like Alder, Kohima Arts College and Government Higher Secondary School . One boy has graduated from Alder College.
They get free schooling in the Assam Rifles School and the Government Schools but need to pay about Rs 300-400/- as half of admission fees in other schools.
Academically, the children fare well in English and Arts subjects, but in science and Maths they are very weak. A few get 1st or 2nd rank in their classes. However, 1st divisioners in Matriculation examinations are rare. They normally get 2nd division. Books are not sufficient and they often share books. February is a difficult month for them, since new books, pens uniforms etc need to be bought in addition to the admission fees.
Entertainment: The children have one TV which was donated by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio. They also have two guitars. They had a carom board which is now broken. So far, the children have not taken part in competitive sports outside the campus. However, within the campus, they have houses or groups called Commando, Second Commando and Dara Singh.
Funds: They are able to generate income amounting to Rs 10,000 – 15,000 per month, through sale of flowers and paintings.
The Indo German Society Fund for Cows gave them Rs 2 Lakhs in 1999 and they also received Rs 2 Lakhs for pigs in 2001. They also got SIDBI loan for one of the buildings out of which Rs 1 Lakh was a grant.
The Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio gave them Rs 2 Lakhs and 40,000 in order to redeem their bus which was obtained from NIDC loan on which they defaulted.
The Governor gives reasonably often to the tune of Rs 10,000 from his funds.
Government Aids: The orphanage receives a certain amount every year in the month of March. This ranges from Rs 50,000; 99,000; 1,40,000 per year.
Clothes: They have clothes but are not enough. Shoes are difficult specially during school admission. Uniforms during this period are a major hurdle. Many give used clothes. Those of which are very bad, they cut into squares and stitch them up to make bedsheets. Some of these are cut into bits and used for pillow stuffing. The best clothes are reserved for special occasion like Governor’s event etc.
(A DIPR Feature)
