PROJECTS EXECUTED BY zdrb.
PROJECTS EXECUTED AND BEING EXECUTED BY THE Z.D.R.B.
1. HEALING HOME (De-addiction-cum-Rehabilitation Centre) : Salvation from
basic sin is the principal objective of Z.D.U., Drivers’ Evangelical Fellowship and Z.D.R.B. This objective was done in the form of Crusade of Camping. But it was found not convenient nor practicable in doing so due to technical reasons. Hence, the ZDRB meeting which was held at Mr. K.Hmingthanga’s house, Jail Veng, Dawrpui on the 4th;.
January, 1984. The suggestion put up by the Speaker, Mr. Chawngkhuma, Ramthim Board for establishment of a separate Centre or Home became the consensus of the meeting. Mr. Saizama Sailo was requested to look for the side. Then under supervision of Mr. Englaia, a site, presently used by Faktea for Healing Home, was found to be suitable. But on scrutiny of its approach, the site is not found to be suitable due to bad communication. Then they approached Elder Darthankima, Chanmari Veng, who was cousin brother of Mr.Saizama Sailo to offer his land, 12 Bighas in area for Healing Centre of liquor and drug addicts. They could negotiate him to pay him to the minimum of Rupees 2 lakhs only which was to be not less than Rupees 50 lakhs in the prevailing market rate. Still then, he paid back the tithe to the Z.D.R.B.
They, therefore, could start constructing the building of 40 ft. by 12 ft. at first. It
was very curious to note that the Board members cleared the site for construction of the
buildings.They prayed to God first before clearing the site for construction of the
buildings. While praying to God, some of them shouted with singing and dancing. Some
of them spoke unknown tongue ceaselessly for some hours. Some of their friends could
not but try to control their prayers as if they were not in a position to work at all. In
fact, a miracle did happen.
While trying to name the building or the centre, they prayed together. Then, they
got the answer through their Senior Adviser, Elder Rokamlova who proclaimed aloud the
name of the Centre, “Healing Home.”
This Healing Home was inaugurated by Mr. Lalthanhawla, Chief Minister of Mizoram on the 25th. July, `1986. The Healing Home (Damna In) is the pioneer of Healing Centers in Mizoram. Moreover, the Zoram Drivers’ Ramthim Board could rightly be called, the “Pioneer of Crusades and Gospel Campings in Mizoram.” At the first instance, 40 students (patients) were admitted while 15 beds only could be provided as such.
2. HEALTH CAARE CENTER AT SERCHHIP, SERCHHIP DISTRICT : This Center was established under the fund received from State AIDS Control Societies in 1999-2000. The principal objective of this was to render help to victims of HIV/AIDS and for taking precautionary measures against escalation of AIDS and HIV by means of giving awareness and establishing Drop-in-Centre for needy persons. Counseling was given and necessary medication was also done. Victims of AIDS/HIV approached this Center. This was performed in close collaboration with local NGOs. and Village Councils. The local ZDU’s assistance in the courses of our performances was duly appreciated.
3. SHORT STAY HOME : Health Schemes relating to Women and Child welfare could be performed under the assistance we received from the Ministry of Woman and Child Development, Government of India through the Central Social Welfare Board in 2002-2003. The principal project in this approach was counseling and assistance wherever found to be appropriate from those women and children who were divorced or tortured by their husbands or other family members or societies. Counseling or positive advice were given to those down-trodden women and children.
This Project once abandoned is renewed. Tailoring institute is established for them having prospect of starting their way of life afresh. Such down-trodden women came not only from far-off villages of Mizoram, but from Tripura State also.
It may be noted that some divorced wives could have re-union with their husbands after having counseling and training from our Short Stay Home (now, known as ‘Swadhar Greh).
4. KAN RAM TAN (K.R.T.) meaning – FOR OUR COUNTRY.
(a). Truckers : This Project was executed by us from the fund we received from Mizoram State AIDS Control Societies within 2002 to 2010 along the National HighWay (NH-54) covering 22 villages. It included as far as Saiha (Siaha) District in the South and as far as Champhai District in the East. This Project Centre, KRT is stationed at a trio-junction of roads. Approximately, Trucks numbering from 50 to 60 ply every day. Different vehicles, numbering 200 ply every day approximately.
6 Petrol Pumps,25 Automobile Motor Workshops (inclusive of big and small), 158 Tea Stalls/Dhabas, 55 Hotels, and 60 booking counters were covered by us. These were our coordinators. They helped us distributing condoms to Drivers and Handymen and also gave them briefing for prevention of HIV/AIDs and simple awareness for medication etc.They had so long been our valuable agencies.
This Project ended in 2010 because we could not cover the National norms to cover 800 Kilometers and 5000 Truck Drivers every month as our population in the whole State of Mizoram could not match the national norms or targets as such. However, we could, somehow, continued the project with our might and main till now as per reports we received from members of the Zoram Drivers in our annual Drivers’ Conference.
(b). I.D.U.(Intravenous Drug Users) : Starting from 2005, we have continued the prevention against drugs usage and sexual abuse, the most dangerous social crime, HIV/AIDDS the world is facing by using Drop-In and maintaining Counseling Centre in our KRT Centre. One Project Manager and 15 workers do their level best distributing Condoms and allied medicines for treatment of HIV/AIDS and their allied side effects (STI) free of cost.The area covered by KRT Centre is vast which covers Tuirial Airfield, Tuirial, Tuikhurhlu, Sesawng, Tlangnuam, Thingsul, Tlungvel, Darlawng, Baktawng and Khumtung villages. Awareness campaigns have also been given incessantly to the general public. Different ZDU Branches are also alert as ever to give awareness to the villagers.
5. COMMUNITY CARE & SUPPORT (People Living With HIV/AIDS : With the support of grant we received from the Mizoram State AIDS Control Societies, we opened Drop-In and Counseling Centre near Bethesda Hospital, Bawngkawn Chhimveng, Aizawl in 2004 for AIDS/HIV victims together with its allied diseases or illness. Condoms, medicines and medications were given to the victims free of cost till Positive Network of Mizoram continued our service after 3 years, i.e., in 2007 at the same building.
6. UNODC-CHARCA PEER EDUCATION PROGRAME : With the support of United Nations Office on Drug and Crime-Coordinated HIV/AIDS Response Through Capacity Building and Awareness (UNODC-CHARCA), Mizoram Branch and the fund we received from them, we extended our services for the success of the Programe during 2005-2008. It was the programe for welfare of women between 13 – 35 ages. Peer Educators and Peer Volunteers were the actual workers who served for the success of the project. In addition to the project in respect of HIV/AIDS, the main objective of the Project was to alleviate the social status and public life of women. This implied with Health and Sanitation and such other Rights which International or National Laws guaranteed. Coordination with the Mizo Women Welfare Association in this respect was worth-considering.
7. MSJE-NACO FIELD WORK PROGRAMME ; This Programe was executed by us in 2006 in line with one time grant project sponsored by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. It was the scheme specially designed to give awareness from the danger of diseases derived from sexual contacts. This program was implemented together with 20 NGOs. In fact, war was declared against HIV/AIDS.
8. I-49 PROJECT-UNODC-ROSA : In 2006, One Time Grant was received to survey what problems or hardships were, being, faced by partners of couples who were drug addicts. 42 Self-help groups were formed. Meetings were conducted with them 21 times. It was detected that financial problems were faced by the couples because they spent what they had for procurement of drugs.
CONCLUSION : It is undoubtedly ascertained that the sincerity, perspective and untiring efforts intertwined with the sacrifices made by the third class section, Zoram Drivers’ Ramthim Board would know no bound. The examples set up by them are worth-notings. The Lord God used them tremendously through Central and State governments and their agencies. Their contributions and sacrifices could somehow be compared with what Jesus Christ said, “Did’nt you know that prostitutes will go ahead of you to Heavenly city?” . . Now, Mizo youngsters, well-educated are engaged and employed as General Secretary, Managing Director, Manager, Councilors, Visiting Doctors, Nurses, and other sincere workers. Besides these, Bachelor of Divinity Degree holders are deputed occasionally as Councilors before they are ordained to become Pro-Pastors. We feel pleasure to have been able to write about the history of Zoram Drivers in a form of booklet. These have all been the outcome of the Lord God’s blessing bestowed upon the
Drivers through the Central Government and the State Government together with all their agencies. Praise the Lord God for all His blessings which are poured in to addicts.
We may supplement to say that First-Aids Boxes are given to 40 Hotels which are along the main road leading to Saiha (Siaha) from Aizawl.
It is our sincere appeal to all readers of this Booklet to pray for the Zoram Drivers’ Ramthim Board to enable them to be able to render their humble services towards liquor and drug addicts viz-a-viz with AIDS & HIV victims, even when they are not in a position to render help by cash and kind.
On behalf of theZoram Drivers’ Mission Board.
Sd/-
KEIHAWLA SAILO.
Secretary,ZDRB
Sd/- H.THANGZOVA, Sd/- LALMAWIPUII,
Treasurer, ZDRB GENERAL SECRETARY. ZDRB