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More than ninety percent of the 2 million people in Nagaland are Christian, yet Nagaland is part of a predominNagaland is in remote area of Northeast India, west of Burma. With 90% of the population employed in agriculture, the traditional tribal lifestyle and languages within villages remains intact. The Nagas differ sharply in physical features, cultural expressions, political history, and religious beliefs from the people living in mainland India.
The Need
As in all populations, there is a portion of children born with developmental and physical disabilities. A recent survey identified no less than 20 people with special needs in a village with a population of 3000.
Due to the social and cultural traditions, as well as lack of governmental support, persons with special needs receive little or no attention. Often a social stigma is attached to a family of special needs. Educational opportunities for children with special needs are virtually non-existent in the villages. Within larger cities, teachers have little or no training in evaluation and curriculum development for these youth.
Medical Challenges
Medical Challenges Rural health care professionals do not have the training to properly evaluate and diagnose many cases of developmental and physical disabilities. Financial constraints make it almost impossible to seek medical help outside of Nagaland.
The Start of a Solution
To begin addressing these needs, Rev. Mar Imsong, a native of Nagaland and pastor of The First Baptist Church of Bedford, MA, has created a mission called Mercy Center in the city of Dimapur. Already under construction, Mercy Center will begin to make a difference in the lives of persons with special needs. The building is designed to be financially self-supporting. Two floors will be rented out for commercial purposes in order to generate income to support the special needs work.
Over $250,000 has been raised from local Naga churches, private donors in Nagaland and donations from local businesses.
The structure of the building is completed, but we need your support to complete the interior by raising $100,000.
How can you help?
We are seeking individuals, churches, corporations and educational entities to partner in this groundbreaking work. Whether through financial assistance, training or other hands on events, we encourage you to consider how you might impact the life a special needs person and their family!
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Suggested financial giving steps: |
| A gift of: |
Will: |
| $50 |
Provide training for 10 church or community workers in the city |
| $100 |
Enable 10 rural educators to attend a training conference |
| $250 |
Sponsor a weekend training for a local healthcare giver |
| $500 |
Sponsor two a day training conference for 50 educators and teachers |
| $1000 |
Sponsor a classroom in the Mercy School for special needs persons |
| $2000 |
Sponsor the Recreation Hall, Activities Room or a classroom in the Mercy School |
| $5000 |
Sponsor the completion of an apartment for faculty and staff of the Mercy Center |
| $25,000 |
Provide an elevator in the Mercy Center |
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