BUILDING NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY

The Diocesan Women’s Fellowship for Christian Services conducted a workshop for the women of the diocese on the role of the Christian women in building neighbourhood community. The theme of the workshop was ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Luke 10:29. The objective of the workshop was to have a theological perspective on building neighbourhood community and to understand the socio-political context with special reference to the women of North East India.

The workshop was held at the Fr. Quentin Wyld Vocational Training and Retreat Centre, Tezpur from October 3 – 5, 2011. The chief resource person was Rev. Mrs. Manjari Nanda, Associate Co-ordinator, Church Mission Engagement, CNI SBSS.

66 delegates from 28 pastorates and all the nine deaneries, including the DWFCS Secretary, Mrs Ruth Gomez and Treasurer, Ms. Erica Kyndait attended the workshop.
The inaugural service was held on 4th October 2011, led by Rev. Mrs. Jyoti Kawah. Sr. Jacinta Marak, Vice Principal, St. Joseph’s Convent, Ms. Protima Hainary, Tutor, Tezpur Mental Hospital and Chairperson, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Dr. Ashita Singh, MD of Emmanuel Baptist Hospital were the Guests-of-honor. In their address to the gathering, each of the guests shared valuable inputs and life experiences on the theme. The programme was inaugurated by Sr. Jacinta Marak with the traditional ‘lighting of the lamp.’ The guests and the resource person were accorded a warm welcome with the offering of the traditional Assamese ‘phulam gamocha’. 

Rev. Manjari Nanda conducted the Bible Study on both days. In the sessions that followed, she delivered inputs on the ‘Biblical understanding of the context’ and the concept of ‘Neighborhood Community’. With reference to the story of the Good Samaritan, she explained, that the unknown, desperate, voiceless, harassed, helpless, socially and politically deprived and the needy are the ones Jesus considered a neighbor. It is our Christian challenge to be compassionate and empathetic with them as they are looking for a neighbor. Women are a minority, but the security they have through Jesus gives them the strength and courage to be a Samaritan. In the group-discussion, a study on the women of the Bible like Deborah, Esther, Ruth, Miriam, Mary and Dorcas in relation to work, law, politics, literacy and health, gave an insight into their lives as good neighbors. 

‘Women’s rights as an empowering process’ were a deanery-wise group session to create awareness of women’s rights. There was a spontaneous feedback from the delegates, which showed that they were well aware of their rights. In the constitutional and fundamental rights of our country there is no gender discrimination; but in our country’s sixty-four years of independence, when we look closer at our rural areas, we find women who are still ignorant of laws and their rights in case of domestic violence. Women still have the attitude of suppression. There can be no gender justice, especially in the villages, unless there is a change in the attitude of women. As agents of change, we need to create awareness among the women in our neighborhood communities so that there is empowerment and a positive change in society.
In the next session, Rev. Pradeep Kawah, Coordinator, DBSS, focused on atrocities against women, when they appear to be strong, determined and focused. He gave inputs on the Planning Commission’s proposal to be tabled before the President of Rs. 25/- per day as the daily requirement of a person living in the village; the strategies of the World Bank to set up industries in rural areas, instead of funds for free food, housing and education; and promises of employment (which are rarely met). He urged the women to be informed about the Public Distribution System and offers made by the Government from time to time and their right to these offers. It was a lively and interactive session.

There was a recapitulation of the workshop-cum-seminar. The outcome was a new perspective of who a ‘neighbor’ and what a ‘neighborhood’ is; women feel empowered in a group, they need to be aware of their rights; get into action and not leave the plan half done, but ensure that life is changed and women empowered. In the ‘Action Plan’, the women were urged to identify their neighbor and what plans they would undertake to help them. 

The day began with ‘morning devotion’ and ended with ‘evening devotion’ led by a different deanery on every occasion. There were lighter moments interspersed with choruses, dances and games. It was a wonderful occasion for the women of the nine deaneries of the diocese to come together to learn and be enlightened on the theme and the various subjects related to it. In closing, the DWFCS Secretary, Mrs. Ruth Gomez, delivered the formal ‘vote of thanks’ to Rev Mrs. Manjari Nanda and Rev Pradeep Kawah for their invaluable inputs and Rev Mrs. Jyoti Kawah and her team of helpers for the hospitality they offered to all the participants of the programme.