A volunteer teacher with some of the Lighthouse beginners, in their open air class.
Akangchila Longchar
Morung Express Feature
Dimapur | April 3
Meet a wonderful teacher, mother to two children, wife of Supong Jamir (Director at Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Dimapur), and herself a leader at YWAM Dimapur. Originally from Mizoram, it’s been eight years living in Nagaland, and Masie Jamir serves as a beacon to underprivileged children. Countless lives have been touched and changed, through the tireless efforts, love and care because of Masie Jamir, her family and YWAM Dimapur.
YWAM Dimapur is located at 6th Mile, Sovima Village. And it is right in the middle of the Mission compound where a lovely mango tree is situated. The story of Lighthouse Ministry, catering to free education and well-being of children around the area starts right beneath this tree.
Masie never planned to start a children ministry. Busy with YWAM Dimapur, Masie said that one day the Lord put in her heart that she was to teach the children to read and write. She had noticed that local children were hanging around YWAM base whole day picking rotten fruits, lazing around etc. “I thought to myself, what they are doing here,” says Masie. The thought led her to research, during which she found that many of the children in the area do not go to school.
Starting with seven children from different backgrounds, ranging from seven to ten years of age was definitely not an easy feat. In fact, Masie recollects that most of them didn’t even know how to hold a pencil. With the help of a girl, and with the children sitting squat on a blue mat and under the mango tree, Masie begun her quest to teach the children.
YWAM Dimapur runs Lighthouse Ministry, with the help of YWAM members and youths from outside who volunteer and teach the children. Before the children ministry was named Lighthouse, Masie visited the homes around the area and saw that many children were being randomly raised. She spread the word and soon a handful of the children started to attend the classes which begin from 3:00 pm and go on until 5:00 pm or even more sometimes.
Sometimes I used to think “what I am doing here”. Masie candidly admits. “In fact I am not even a native of Nagaland. And I know I could have taught in any School if I wanted,” she shared. But her positive life philosophy eventually won over. Masie opines that if we want a better system in our State, it has to start with our children today. “One of the children I’m teaching today will become somebody in the future”, is her resolute faith in the children. In fact so strong is her conviction that she has said to a lighthouse kid, “You are living in a thatch house today, but tomorrow you are capable of becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland.”
Educating the children, training them to learn and grow in the right way, are issues Masie said are close to her heart.
“The only way to have a better government system is not to stir up youths but to lay good foundation in a child,” she opined and added that the answer to a better future is reaching out to the children today. Masie genuinely believes that today’s children can change the system. People have asked me why am I reaching out to these poor people, but I believe we are teaching future leaders, although they are poor today one day, one will make it. She also believes that education, and good education at that combined with life values will go a long way. Things instilled in our children will impact several people tomorrow, she said.
Anyone who has met Masie will vouch that she is extraordinarily humble by nature. An inspiration to many people, still she maintains that she is not doing something bigger than other people or doing something special. “You watch what God is doing and join. Everything is a step of faith. If people are inspired through Lighthouse Ministry, and if somebody can do something similar in our towns/villages, is our only prayer,” she said. “If a handful of us can do these much. Why not make an impact from where God has put us. We don’t know how God will lead us, I have no plan,” she shared. Perseverance, and focus on why we are doing what we are doing, she said is what keeps her motivated.
“I’m so amazed at the response and outcome when we step out in faith”. Masie says this because she knows and she has witnessed it firsthand. The landlord of the place where YWAM base is situated donated land free of cost to construct a building for Lighthouse Ministry for as long as the ministry is up and running. A Colonel from the Indian Army paid expenses for the construction of the building. Besides many unnamed well wishers, Dimapur Christian Fellowship (DCF) has also been of great help. Since June 2008, DCF had provided table and chairs, where earlier the children used to sit on the floor. Also DCF has been providing juice and snacks for the children every month.
Around 80 children from poor families have registered this year. During the daytime, most of these kids attend Government Schools or Private Schools, but exactly at 3:00 pm, children are seen walking towards the gates of YWAM Dimapur. A holistic approach is followed at Lighthouse, with the children being taught to read and write, combined with value education, Bible study, health care, creative hour, games and sports. The teachers stress on good manners, kindness, and empathy. Most importantly the children receive love, care and attention.
Masie, fellow teachers, and their little troops moved in to the new building in 2010. She shares that it still feels like a dream. “Who would have thought? We shifted to a beautiful building from a mango tree,” she exclaims happily.
To know more, log onto: projectlighthouse.wordpress.com.
