Made in DABA VIII: Building networks and promoting local businesses

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | October 11 

Ever since the Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) Youth Ministry’s first iteration began way back in 2016, the ‘Made in DABA’ initiative has provided a crucial platform for its self-employed and also unemployed youths by connecting with customers through their one-day street market held at Supermarket complex, Dimapur. 

This year’s event dubbed, ‘Made in DABA VIII’ had a total of 35 stalls set up just adjacent to the Wednesday Bazaar, Apong Longchar, Convenor of Teintet Lanur, DABA Youth Ministry said on Wednesday.  “All the stalls feature a wide variety of self-made products from handicrafts, food items, artwork, woodwork, plants among many others,” he added. 

Apart from the regular stalls, another unique part added to the event was the promotion of services such as electrician, tutor, and painter for unemployed youths who had been provided these essential skill developments training by the church. “This was the first time we’re doing it through word of mouth and sharing of business cards for anyone interested,” Longchar mentioned. As far as sales were concerned, he added that their youths made about 3.5 lakh total sales last year alone and this year as well, the responses from the customers were considerably positive. 

In terms of the pact it has on their youths who have been taking part in the ‘Made in DABA’, Longchar viewed that several have made successful ventures into the market, connecting with customers and expanding their businesses over the years.  One of these was a handmade assembled jewellery business called Mixpick Enterprise. “There are many stories of our youths doing better and expanding their businesses,” he said while on the other hand, a challenge was on figuring ways on to promote their business when do they do not possess a physical store.

Nevertheless, “As long as it is productive and helping the youths we will be doing it in this format,” he stated. 

Besides this event, the DABA Youth Ministry have also given several skills training for their members on tailoring, baking, electrician every year. In addition, the church had also partnered with Business Association of Nagas (BAN) to provide seminars on the basics of starting a business, building networks and inculcating professionalism in their venture.