Transforming lives, Transforming Nagaland

A leader groomed through experiences, he has transformed the social fabric of the Naga society. At the age of 27, W Chenithung Humtsoe decided to take the road not much taken, and that path has made all the difference. W Chenithung Humtsoe, Executive Director, voluntarily joined the NGO purely out of social concern to help young people find hope in their lives and to make an impact in the society.

Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre, a well-known social institution committed for the upliftment of the people afflicted and inflicted by the twin problem of Drug Dependency and Alcoholism in the state has been making deep impacts in all strata of the society from urban towns of Dimapur to grass root villages under Wokha and Phek Districts. Over the years of its establishment, it has incorporated several other programs in its area of work such as HIV/AIDS, women and child Health Care, rural Development, Research and Promotion and Protection of Cultural Heritage, Environment as per the need of the time

It was in the mid 80’s that drug addiction was at its peak, where hundreds and thousands of young people were losing the battle to drugs, it was then Bethesda kick started its real business of transforming lives. Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre Dimapur is credited for being the savior angel to drug addicts who were on the forefront of ignorance and discrimination by the society. With its Headquarter in Dimapur, is Bethesda over the years have sheltered and rehabilitated over multitudes of former addicts.

Started with a concern to help recover drug addicts in the midst of their struggle came another challenge to address the growing number of HIV/AIDS infections in the State. Coupled with Drugs and HIV/AIDS the impact has been so harsh that altered the social fabric of the Naga Society.

Under the Directorship of Chenithung, the centre has reasons to cheer about its contributions to make a positive impact on the society. Many former addicts have experienced their second rebirth from the Rehabilitation Centre and are now living normal lives. 22 years in service to the Naga Society, Chenithung, has made real transformations and has revamped the field of social development. With his Dedication and involvement in the Social Service, his job has taken him to places across the Globe with “a purpose for responsibility.” Being professionally trained in Addiction Recovery Management and Urban Ministries from City team Ministries, San Jose, California, USA, he notes that drug addiction and HIV/AIDS is not only confined to the State of Nagaland and adds, “HIV/AIDS and IDU’s have no boundaries as it can affect all sections and strata of the society, it has no religious affiliations and could affect any society at any moment.”

Bethesda took the Lead in the First Intervention Project in 1999, with the formation of Nagaland state Aids Control Society (NSACS) under National Aids Control Organization (NACO) started the Phase- 2 Project, since then Bethesda has been working round the clock in its determination to reduce the rate of HIV/ AIDS in the State. The evident is clear as the  outcome of Sentinel Survey carried out in the year 1997 showed that HIV prevalence among Injecting Drug Users (IDU’s) was about 40%, while the current trend indicates HIV Prevalence among IDU’s have gone down below 5% which is a massive change.

W Chenithung Humtsoe, Executive Director, Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre, a man with a vision for the Naga Society, left the much sought after government job and joined the NGO with a concern and for a purpose. He expresses “no regrets” for being in the field where he is today and claims that he left the job for a better and greater cause for the society.  

 

Bethesda Centre: A social institution with a difference 
 

He matriculated from Government High School, Wokha and Graduated in History Honours from St.Anthony’s College, Shillong and earned his Masters in Political Science from the University Of Delhi. Chenithung embraces the philosophy that “Life is Hope and Hope is Life” and has been sustaining him in his endeavors in dealing with HIV/AIDS and Drugs Users. He notes, “Without compassion and without inborn instinct and commitment it’s very difficult to survive in this section of social service.”

From his early student days, Chenithung was always interested in social services and was an active student leader and a “doer activist” both in truth and in spirit. He was the Founding member of Network of Nagaland Drugs and HIV Organisation (N-NAGA-DAO), North East Harm Reduction Network (NEIHRN), North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF), and now Defunct North East India HIV/AIDS Network (NEIHAN), Task Force on Drug Abuse Prevention (TAFODAP). He is a life member of Christian AIDS National Alliance (CANA), Indian Red Cross Society and Dongphi Chokake Okho (Agents for Change)

Having achieved a staggering rate of success, he wishes not to count the footprints of successes and states “footprints of success is difficult to measure as working in the field of HIV/AIDS and IDU’s is like fighting silent insurgents surrounded by invisible enemies.” He notes that the process of work in social services is a continuous affair.  He wishes to fight all challenges that comes along the way and is optimistic of the threats and challenges in the battle of drugs and HIV/AIDS in the state.

During his initial years as a coordinator he admits that discrimination and misconception about his joining the social Service Organization was high, as many people perceived that NGO’s are formed as “the pool of wealth is huge” or NGO’s as an “alternative to being jobless”, he emphasizes that “we have joined an NGO and have impacted the society in positive ways to serve the people, and I stand by what I say.”

However he expresses disappointment that some people in the state fail to understand the true meaning of NGO and rubbishes the perception that some section of the population falsely attributes to it, he re-emphasizes  that NGO’s are an alternative to the Government, and is crucial for achieving “Growth and Progress” in the society and in shaping the Society.

When queried about any role models in the state of Nagaland, he frankly denies any role model from the state of Nagaland, and adds “most of our leaders are the ones exploiting our own people, I have none”. He notes that he is deeply inspired by Nelson Mandela, and exemplifies his undying love and spirit for reconciliation and forgiveness even after enduring deep pain and loss in his life. He notes that “unless we forgive and forget our differences and reconcile we would have no future.

Today Bethesda under the noble leadership of Chenithung, the centre is tirelessly engaged not only with people who use drugs and alcohol, but also those infected and affected by the Pandemic disease HIV/AIDS striving to transform lives, the centre has also engaged with issues like women and Child Development, Trafficking, Environment, rural health and education, preservation of cultural activities, flora and fauna.

27 years of its existence Bethesda hopes to be a catalyst for Change in the Naga Society, and reaffirms its commitment to work for the youth of the State, and hopes to engage in any area of work as per the need of time.