Ruopfuzhano Whiso and others during the launching programme of ‘Happy Flow’ in Kohima on October 16. (Morung Photo)
‘Empower women towards social, economic, emotional and spiritual well being’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 16
Expanding its activities, LifeConnect Nagaland has officially launched ‘Happy Flow’ here at Night Bazaar building, Kohima on October 16.
The concept of ‘Happy Flow’ is to enable women and girls to have a stress-free and dignified period.
It was launched by Ruopfuzhano Whiso, FBB Colours Femina Miss India Nagaland 2018.
LifeConnect stated that women use an average of 10 sanitary pads per menstrual cycle, which equals to Rs. 70 in a month and Rs. 840 in a year.
Although this may seem like a relatively affordable amount for many, there are a number of women who are unable to afford this basic necessity.
There are a growing number of women in Kohima itself who are using traditional and other forms of alternate measures such as the usage of reusable cloth due to the inability to afford sanitary pads.
“We are starting off this project to raise awareness and funds to help as many women as we can,” LifeConnect stated.
Earlier, Santi Keyho pronounced dedicatory prayer while introduction to LifeConnect was made by LifeConnect Director Sali Ngully. Mhalelhounuo Longkumer delivered welcome address while Limala, a representative from Science & Technology department delivered short speech.
Meanwhile, New Market (Ser) Area Panchayat chairman Ruokuobizo Nyusou thanked LifeConnect for their unceasing support and good Samaritan works toward the down trodden.
LifeConnect has been working with underprivileged and marginalized women and girls for the past few years and “our goal is to empower women towards social, economic, emotional and spiritual well being.”
“Our efforts are focussed to fight against underlying cause of poverty and oppression and ensure marginalized women and girls a life of dignity and help them to live life to the fullest potential that God has given them,” stated Life Connect.
The aim of LifeConnect is to meet two human needs- spiritual and physical need. Union Baptist Church, Kohima has been instrumental in meeting the physical needs of two families that “we have been working with through their UBC Compassion initiative.
In an attempt to bring about meaningful changes in their lives, LifeConnect have laid down few objectives to elevate women and girls as person of worth, to help them discover their gifts and talents, mentor young women and girls, provide opportunities for women to deepen their faith and experience spiritual growth and renewal and to challenge every woman and girl to become an agent of change.
LifeConnect undertakes fellowship, fasting and prayer, Bible study, spiritual camp and home visits and counselling.
Under personality development, it focuses lessons on etiquette, English classes and lesson on social skills and self confidence.
In the area of skill development and economic empowerment, LifeConnect encourages card making, gift box making, jewellery making, baking and pickle making, tailoring, envelop making and paper bags and other crafts.
Under women’s health & wellness, LifeConnect had several medical camps with urban health centre, volunteer gynaecologists from Kohima and cervical cancer awareness
LifeConnect also have Children Club programme under which it offer free tuitions and Bible study for unchurched children using the NBCC children’s curriculum.
There are five churches partnering with them for this programme. It includes City Church, Rengma Church, Union Baptist Church, Lotha Church and Chakhesang church.
In regard to Ministry for husbands, it stated “Although our Ministry’s main focus is women and to help them especially in this context, we also see the need to help the husbands in such situations because most of the abuse and domestic violence in our experiences, stems from alcoholic husbands.”
In the light of this, LifeConnect recently started a ministry extension where they are ministering to alcoholic husbands and “we are looking forward to a series of counselling and professional help in the days to come.”
LifeConnect Nagaland was previously known as Sisterhood Network, Kohima branch. On June 29, 2019, a decision was taken to handover Sisterhood Network Kohima branch to LifeConnect Nagaland to go independent. Presently, their area of focus is New Market, Kohima.
According to LifeConnect Nagaland, their vision is “to connect people to God, the source of all life by transforming hearts and homes through the message of Jesus Christ” while the mission is “to enable women and families living in poverty and brokenness to experience fullness of life, to live life to the fullest potential that God has given them.”
LifeConnect also aims “to nurture and encourage women to faithfully and fully use their God given talents to glorify God.”
