NEDSSS -Quarterly report April to June 2020

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 designated and approved by district administration. As of now, CFD collectively with the help of the different BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH churches and institutions have covered around 1900 PEACEBUILDING AND CONFLICT families with food grains, provision kits and will cover TRANSFORMATION another 3000 more in two phases. The youth and the pastors 10-15 in number maintaining the physical distance The activities that have been implemented by the Peace will go around to different stations and colonies to share Partners - Peace Channel, Nagaland, JUST, Tripura and the message of love and hope. CFD will represent and DSSS, Manipur coordinate the charity and welfare related activities of the A Joint Meeting of Government Officials and churches in Dimapur. CFD will provide volunteers in case Christian Forum Dimapur Held the government requires. CDF will contact all the church associations to raise fund for hitting the target of 3000 A joint meeting of Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) and families in the second phase of relief. Government officials Nagaland was held at Bishop's House Consultative Workshop for Local Peace Building Dimapur on 28th April 2020 to share the concerns, Organization challenges and enhancing possibilities of a strong Peace Channel conducted a consultative meeting with the collaborative mission to combat the pandemic. Shri. Y. community leaders, likeminded organizations, religious Kikheto Sema, IAS APC and Commissioner Secretary, Shri. institutions and the Government organizations in order to Anoop Kinchi, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Shri. create awareness and come forward to fight against the HonjeKonyak, Sec. F&CS Department, Govt. of Nagaland pandemic crisis in Nagaland. During the consultative meet along with 35 Church leaders representing various a COVID-19 CAMPAIGN was also launched in denominations participated in the emergency meeting collaboration with Dimapur Christian Forum with the theme called by CFD. The interactive meeting was a platform to “Protect Yourself to Protect Others” at NEISSR Conference discuss serious concerns, to assess and to understand the hall, Dimapur at 11AM on the 15th May 2020 with the work already done and to plan together to address the participation of 19 Male & 6 Female. Shri. Y. Kikheto Sema, pandemic crisis collectively. IAS APC and Commissioner Secretary, Shri.Anoop Kinchi, The government officials highlighted about the importance IAS, Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Shri. Rothihu Tetseo, of physical distancing during this covid-19 spread and only IPS Commissioner Police Dimapur, Dr.Tiasunep Chief way to safe ourselves from this pandemic is to stay at home. Further, the need for hand holding and cooperation Medical Officer (CMO) addressed the various challenges with the administration & government to combat this and issues concerning the Covid-19 pandemic in the pandemic was requested. The importance to cooperate context. Rev. Fr. C.P. Anto, Director, Peace Channel with the government to combat the pandemic issue chaired the meeting and flagged off three points namely effectively was also iterated. The church leaders were the need to learn to live with the virus, encourage and exhorted to go beyond the church to help the needy who support the front line workers, promote the campaign wash belong to various religions and communities. hands, wear masks and keep social distancing. It was The church leaders resolved to support the government in participated by the special Covid-19 mission team, the the following areas: Christian Forum Dimapur will request community leaders, the religious leaders from various the church associations to open the guest houses and premises for quarantine facilities. As per the needs of the government, the churches will take care of accommodating the respective church or community persons in quarantine 02

denominations and the government officials. CDF thanked Quarterly report April to June, 2020 Catholic Church, Most. Rev. Dr.JamesThoppil Bishop of Nagaland, for inspiring and sponsoring 25000 (twenty five in outside activities. thousands) masks to the frontline workers and the needy to s They said that, our culture strongly believe in protect to protect others. Seminar on Do No Harm patriarchal practices, therefore we have no voice in Ninety five persons became aware on the concept of Do No decision making and free movement etc. Harm which was organized on 23-27th June 2020 at Belbari, Peace building among peace clubs in schools Borkathal, Khumulwng, Twikarmaw, and Baijalbari. The One day training on peace was organised for peace clubs objectives were to develop inclusive approach towards at Ukhrul Hr. Sec School and Sacred Heart Hr. Sec. peace and unite people. The participants understood the School on 27& 29th June 2020. Ninety students (38 female concept of Do No Harm and to focus more on mutual and 52 male) participated in the program. The objectives benefits than win-lose situation in the society. of the trainings were: to impart on peace and peace Celebration of world environment day building skills and the importance of peace in times of the pandemic. How to be peace activists. Twenty three persons participated in the celebration of The learning was world environment day on 28th June 2020 at Maharaja Bir 1. Students understood the basic meaning of peace. Bikram club. The objective was to bring awareness on 2. Student shows great interest and they realized the environmental peace. As part of celebration 300 different importance of peace in our life. saplings were planted in the local area. Role of SHGs in peace building Meetings with the 11 SHGs were held on 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26/06/2020 and 133 members participated at different localities of Ukhrul district. The objectives were to discuss on the role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in peace building, and empowerment through entrepreneurship. Some of the learning of the participants s One woman said that, women are not given the power in the village because they are hardly involved in decision making in the family or in society. s They said that most of the time their works are confined to their home, like cleaning, cooking, looking after the children. And no opportunity to get involved 032

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 Webinar EMPOWERMENT OF CHILDREN A staff meeting was conducted for animators of Assam THROUGH CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT through webinar. The animators updated the situations of their own project areas during the pandemic. Mr. Tennyson The goal of the project 'empowerment of children through the project coordinator briefed to them on the guidelines of children's parliament' is to create an environment where Covid-19 given by WHO and other health experts. He also child's voice is heard, appreciated and exercise their rights gave them different methods on how to mobilize and teach to influence in decision making in 16 villages of Manipur children during this pandemic. He stressed on the and Assam through Children's Parliament by 2023. importance of creating child leadership in their own villages so that these leaders can act as guard to the Objectives: children and make sure that children are studying and not get victimised as child labourers, enticed for sexual abuse 1. To form 16 Children's Parliament in 8 villages of Assam or exploited in any way during this look-down specially 2. To build capacity of all 600 children to become child the girl children. He motivated the leaders of children parliament to be more active during this pandemic. advocates and influence policies at all Levels 3. To strengthen the existing 8 children parliament of Motivational home visits Assam and train them so that their voice is heard Motivational home visits were conducted in all the project 4. To bring down the dropouts and liking them with main villages in Assam and Manipur. This activity has become very important during this situation as it motivates the school through bridge school. parents and children. The animator take initiative in conducting home visit and motivate the parents on how to During this quarter many of the planned activities could not take care of themselves from Corona Virus and interact be conducted due to the lock down but the Teachers cum with children to understand the problems they face in this Animators carried out activities with very limited number of difficult situation. students which was allowed by the Government of India and by the Village Authorities who are very much active in Daily tuition preventing and managing the COVID -19 in their own villages. During the initial lockdown, no tuition classes were held but in the 2nd phase of lockdown the Awareness on Covid-19 Teachers cum Animator conducted tuition classes for Awareness on Covid-19 was conducted by the animators in limited number of students keeping the protocols of govt. their own villages maintaining physical distancing. The villagers were taught on how to wear mask and use of sanitizer and guidelines of govt. on Covid-19. They were also given counselling during the pandemic. Children of Amchong Tea Estate of the project the project villages made an awareness video on how to prevent the spread of Corona virus. This video has been shared to all the participating project villages through social medias. 024

World environment day Quarterly report April to June, 2020 In spite of the Pandemic situation, World Environment Day Initiatives of Children's Parliament was observed in 16 target villages in Manipur and Assam. Children participated through different activities such as Distribution of Relief Materials drawing competition, poster campaign, tree plantation and awareness building on climate change and biodiversity CP members took initiative to provide relief to some conservation. The theme of this year Environment day was poor/deprived families. The CP ministers made small “Celebrating Biodiversity” and as many as 500 children took collection from the members and provided food stuff such part in the celebration. as rice, dal, vegetables etc. Sonabeel No. 2 provided relief materials to 9 families, Bokajan study centre provided relief materials to 12 families and Khaliamari study centre provided relief materials to 7 families. Celebration of World Environment Day REDUCTION OF CHILD LABOR IN THE TEA On 5th June 2020 World GARDEN AREAS OF SONITPUR DISTRICT, Environment Day was ASSAM celebrated by all the eight centres. Due to the Project Goal: Prevention and abolition of child labour and pandemic situation it was creation of Child Labour Free Zones in the tea gardens of not possible for the Assam. children to have together but they gathered in small Daily classes groups for the celebration. In every centre, 10 Maghani Saplings were provided and Daily evening classes continue to help the poor children. CP members planted the saplings and fenced it. Due to the pandemic situation the centres are closed. But the teachers are making every effort to provide evening International Child Labour Day observed classes in small group in student's homes locally. Along with the classes, the teachers are providing awareness on Covid1-9 to the children and their parents. 025

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 Date Name of the Place M F programme 15 On 12th of June 2020 International Child Labour Day was 02-06- Kharam 20 8 observed in eight project villages. It was conducted with 2020 Tree plantation 12 the parents on issues of child labour in the tea gardens. 05-06- Amiyanagar 9 10 Child protection committee and leaders from different 2020 Awareness cum Guwahati 13 villages took part in the celebration. 05-06- tree plantation 13 Motivational home visits 2020 Awareness cum AmsingJorab 15 16 Home visits were conducted every week by the teachers. At 05-06- tree plantation at 9 this time of pandemic, the teachers were giving awareness 2020 Awareness cum 12 to the community through home visits and guiding the 05-06- tree plantation Bagmari 12 8 students in their self-study. 2020 Awareness cum 15 During this period due to covid-19 physical monitoring was 05-06- tree plantation Bokajan 15 12 not possible. It was done through phone call, social Medias 2020 Awareness cum 12 and webinar. 05-06- tree plantation Jitpur 20 10 2020 Awareness cum 8 REGIONAL FORUM ACCOMPANIMENT 05-06- tree plantation Joglani 14 12 SUPPORT FOR MAINSTREAMING KSPS IN 2020 Awareness cum 9 ALL PARTNER ORGANISATIONS IN NORTH 05-06- tree plantation Kaliamari 15 6 EAST REGION 2020 Awareness cum 7 05-06- tree plantation Malijan-1 16 19 The project “Regional Forum accompaniment support for 2020 Awareness cum 8 mainstreaming Key Strategic Pillars in all the diocesan 05-06- tree plantation Malijan-2 18 8 partner organizations” was implemented with 16 Diocesan 2020 Awareness cum 13 Partners NGOs in seven states of North East Region. It 05-06- tree plantation Nartap 15 255 aims to capacitate partner organizations on the Key 2020 Drawing cum tree Strategic Pillars i.e, Empowering Animation, Dialogue, 05-06- plantation New 20 Volunteerism and Sharing Community. Forum takes 2020 Drawing cum tree Wangparal 20 facilitating role in capacity building and handholding support 05-06- plantation PurumChab 12 to all the DSSSs in mainstreaming the strategic Pillars in 2020 Drawing cum tree ung the region through its Social work intervention with the 05-06- plantation PurumTamp community. The strategic pillars are taken forward at 2020 Awareness cum ak various levels in the process of community development 05-06- tree plantation and nation building. 2020 Awareness cum Samukjuli 15 Strategic Pillars 05-06- tree plantation 1. Empowering Animation: “an awakening and action- 2020 Awareness cum Sonabil-1 30 05-06- tree plantation oriented process aimed at social transformation 2020 Awareness cum Sonabil-2 14 affecting at general level, all people and at specific 05-06- tree plantation level the poor”. The liberating action taken up by 2020 Awareness cum Tan Tang 10 empowering animation is self-propelling, self-directing, 05-06- tree plantation 2020 Awareness cum Hojai 5 05-06- tree plantation 2020 Awareness cum Kharam 23 06-06- tree plantation 2020 Awareness cum Makhoti 10 07-06- tree plantation 8 2020 NEDSSS, 5 Total Nurturing plants Guwahati 341 Chingjaroi 062

continuous and collective action. Quarterly report April to June, 2020 2. Dialogue: It implies consensus based upon shared of people every day. It is becoming crucial for people to understanding and oriented towards reaching have awareness and knowledge about COVID-19, on how agreement. Categories as dialogue with- the virus spread and how it can be prevented. It is i. Poor 2. Duty bearers 3. Nature important that everyone has the basic information about 3. Volunteerism: Volunteering means commitment to willing service. Volunteer is a person who according to the virus and keep themselves safe from the virus. In view his/her gifts and capacities is able to perform important of this, Capacity Building Orientation on COVID-19 Safe tasks in the diaconal work. Programing and Safety Measures was organized through 4. Sharing community: Aimed at sharing our resources virtual platform on 19th May, 2020 for directors and staff of and treating everyone as brothers and sisters. the diocesan organizations who in turn will also infuse the Activities: same information to the field/frontline workers in the Orientation on Key Strategic Pillars: community during the covid-19 pandemic outbreak. The The empowering Animation is one of the major pillars in program was facilitated by Mr. Kushal Neogy, CRS Sub change development process. It acts as a direction for the Regional director of operations for South Asia and Ms. other pillars in achieving greater result. With the objective Supriya Mukherjee from CRS, Kolkata. The training was of capacity building and strengthening on the Key Pillars participated by 25 people from different diocesan partners. two-day programme was organized on 29th and 30th June Preventive measure against the COVID-19 through virtual meeting to ensure that staffs of the DSSSs are capacitated on the concept and able to translate into s Distancing at least 1 meter to ensure safety for all action on the ground. The meeting was attended by 67 s Washing hands with soap, water and hand sanitizer participants comprised of the directors, the project s Covering nose and mouth with handkerchief/tissue coordinators and the staff of partner DSSS. In his introduction and welcome address, Rev. Fr. Varghese, the while sneezing and coughing executive director, NEDSSS gave a historical perspective of the strategic plan why and how it came forward. The s Avoid mass gathering and crowded places strategic plan is based on the scripture and it is deeply s Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible. rooted from the three theoretical mission work of the church s Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth frequently. .i.e. Koinonia, Diakonia and Leitourgia Mr. Savio, Programme Coordinator of NEDSSS, facilitated Important aspects during Covid-19 Response a. Avoid Myths and Misconception: Lots of rumours the session on the four Key Strategic Pillars and he explained the concept of each pillar and how it has to be and practices are floating around and therefore not to mainstreamed at the organizational level through its encourage or tell anything that is not confirmed by developmental activities in the community. WHO/ MoHFW. Capacity Building Orientation on COVID-19 Safe b. Community Engagement Guidance: Information Programing and Safety Measures sharing to the community and developing Community Corona Virus is the Global health crisis affecting thousands Engagement Plan c. Plan for Distribution: s Determine distribution type s Minimize gatherings, Cleaning/disinfectant the objects s Washing materials, Health screening and 062

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 youth, children men and women participated. 1500 tree samplings were planted in community land, home yard, health/hygiene messaging roadside and water sources and protected it with bamboo fence from animals and human activities. d. Prepare Staff/Partners/Volunteers, Webinars on Environmental Literacy s Orient the staff members and volunteers on Community In collaboration with Earth day Network India, a webinar was organised on Environmental Literacy to motivate students Engagement & Protection while teaching online. Ms. Neela Mazumdar, Senior Manager of Earth Day Network gave a brief introduction about Earth s Adopt Distribution Standard Procedures (SoP) and Day Network 50 years of services and new initiatives undertaking by Earth Day network across India. The webinar access to hand washing materials was about how students can engage on green action and create a platform that would connect children with nature e. Communication with beneficiaries: Consult during locked down at home. More than 250 people attended Community Leaders and give them community the meeting. messaging about the corona virus. Panellists: Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, MP. Lok Sabha Imphal f. During Distribution: Manipur. Dr. Hemanshree Deka, Assam Valley School Guwahati, s Assign staff to hand washing stations Assam s Ensure physical distancing and gathering remain small. Dr. B K Talukdar CEO-Aaranyak Guwahati, Assam s Disinfect the surface Mr. Anand Prokash Kanoo DRR officer, UNICEF North East Region g. After the distribution: Ms. Lothunbeini Ngulli, Assembly of God High School Kohima, Nagaland s Clean-up site Sr. Prema Chowallure, SSC Holy Cross sister Guwahati s Disinfect equipment Fr. Felix Anthony, Principal Newman School Neotan, s Ensure your hand are washed with soap/water/hand Arunahal Pradesh Mr. Savio Rangla, Programme Coordinator, NEDSSS sanitizer Important points s Ensure vehicle is cleaned s Environment literacy is to be link with our culture s Have a wash after reaching home s During the lockdown students to be engaged on s Keep the clothes for wash or dry in sun environmental activities such as drawing, painting, ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION: making video reel, gardening etc. Considering the manifold benefits of trees, massive tree plantation was carried out in different places of the region. Planting trees is the urgent need to combat climate change. The aim of the campaign was to direct citizen's mind in improving the quality of the natural environment and protecting the natural habitat which is a home for various animals and species. Such little step taken together by citizen will help in fostering a better environment. A total of 23 tree plantation drives were organized reaching to 1000 people of which students, 027

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 s In some of the schools, students are asked to do STATE PARTNERS Total Number Populations Assam number of 1473 environmental projects and extra marks are awarded to of villages houses those students who has done wonderfully. surveyed JirsongAsong 40 332 s Award special prices to encourage students and Assam GGSSS 46 571 2942 support for the cause. Guwahati s Environment literacy need to be incorporated while Assam Seva Kendra 24 238 1161 silchar 40 249 1564 teaching online so that children are motivated to Arunacha Miao cultivate the habit of being with nature. l Pradesh COMMUNITY ACTION FOR WATER, Manipur DSSS Imphal 40 390 2688 SANITATION AND NUTRITION IN NORTH EST INDIA (PHASE-IV) Meghala SSC Shillong 40 275 1568 ya Zep Aizwal 24 404 2326 The projects intends to improve the health of the rural Mizoram communities through increasing accessibility to safe sanitation, safe drinking water and hand washing practices Total 254 2459 13722 along with awareness program to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During the reporting quarter, baseline data This table indicates the number of villages with sanitation collection, spread of awareness on covid-19, committee, waste management system and have become documentation and report are the major activities. open defecation free Baseline Date Collection The main method of data collection of this quantitative survey Jirsong no of ions holds Yes No Yes No Yes No was through a structured questionnaire related to breast Asong villages 13510 2558 31 9 10 30 7 33 feeding, cleaning, hand washing, diarrhea, cooking, specific 40 32259 7044 42 4 8 38 6 40 diseases, and schemes. The data was collected by ASHA GGSSS 46 12231 2279 19 5 5 19 11 13 workers and VHWs in 254 villages. As a sample of lactating Guwaha mothers, pregnant women and children under five years from ti 24 14838 2438 13 27 16 24 30 10 the selected village, ten percent households were Seva interviewed. The general information regarding the villages Kendra 40 were collected from interviewing core people of the villages by silchar Supervisors andASHAworkers. Miao DSSS 40 16415 3426 40 0 32 8 31 9 Imphal 40 18673 2897 29 11 20 20 20 20 SSC 24 17737 3433 22 2 24 0 24 0 Shillong 254 Zep 125663 24075 196 58 115 139 129 12 Aizwal 5 Total 029

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 under Balipara Block decided to take up by the group members. They have been receiving good numbers of SELF EMPLOYMENT AND training on how to manage and own up entrepreneurs. ENTERPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT They have applied loans to Assam State Rural Livelihood PROGRAMME (SEED) Mission (ASRLM) on 6th June 2020. A sum of Rs. 10, 00,000 (Ten lakh) was approved by the ASRLM to the Income generation activities through weaving groups to take up socio-economic income through raring of For women of small income groups is a big challenge to cows. After further training and technical inputs the loan earn their livelihood and support their family during the will be credited in the groups account. lockdown period. Many women are confined to their own home due to restricted movement. As an income generating Linkages with ASRLM activities especially during lock down many women of Karbi Anglong took weaving as the main sources of income. By NEDSSS has given number of training and capacity building to the women groups on various entrepreneurs' development programs. One among them was home based detergent making and marketing. After receiving training and with the support of ASRLM the women of Jagriti form a group call Nayan Jyoti Entrepreneurs group. The group with the support and financial assistance from the ASRLM will take up production and marketing of products such as multipurpose dish wash, phenyl, harpic, soap, pickle, chips and other allied things etc. tradition Karbi's are good in weaving traditional attire. They make Pinicamflack and Pekok which is important traditional dress worn by the women and sold at good prices. Income generation activities through Livestock rearing Diary production through cattle rearing is one of the entrepreneurship the Jagriti women of Sonabeel, Tezpur 0120

ACTIVITIES BY OUR PARTNERS DURING Quarterly report April to June, 2020 COVID-19 PANDEMIC Learning the situation of our suffering brethren in the Many countries of the world were under lock down for the locality NEDSSS, under the abled leadership of Fr. last few months and even now to slow the spread of Varghese Velickakam, a committee was form following the Corona virus. Physical distancing, wearing mask covering formation of this committee numerous responsive activities mouth and nose, eating nutritious food to build up immunity, were started with immediate effect. NEDSSS approached washing hands often with water and soap and sanitizing the government authorities to get necessary permission for every now and then are the precautions to prevent the the movement of the vehicles to distribute food items spread of the virus. In rural remote villages, people are not regularly. The local volunteers were identified and given much aware of the need for preventive measures and also awareness on Covid-19 and the protective measures to be have many myths and misconception about the virus. In followed and communicated all throughout the distribution. response to the situation, our seven partner organizations NEDSSS made sure that the volunteers followed the are actively involved in the mission of providing essential guidelines of the government lockdown and maintain social services to those people living in the remote villages. Our distance during their activities. The participation of all the grassroots workers are giving their best efforts in giving the Committee Members was very encouraging in procuring awareness. They visited home to home and taught them food items and in organizing the volunteers in packing and the importance of wearing mask, hand washing/hygiene, distribution to the families. The volunteers were also active social distancing and preparation of nutritious food in order in creating awareness among the people about the health to remain safe from the virus. They also work hand in hand hazards from corona virus and how to stay safe during this with police department and health care workers so that their pandemic. work is more effective and good for the whole community. The unemployment and disruption of livelihood COVID-19 RELIEF PROGRAM BY NEDSSS opportunities are going to create a lot of challenges to all of us involved in development services. Discussions are “The greatest lesson that COVID-19 can teach the taken up at various levels to address these issues. As Church institutions we can not close our eyes and remain humanity is that we are all in this together.\" mere spectators of this present reality. There is a Golden The nationwide lockdown in view of the coronavirus opportunity for those who are interested to help out the pandemic has severely hit many poor migrants and rural unemployed by providing ample opportunity to create families. This period of time is very challenging for livelihood options to tide over the situation in collaboration everyone. It is very tough especially for the daily wage with the Government laborers because their survival depends on daily wages and they don't have the luxury of small savings to help them The poor are provided with dry ration that can sustain them ride through in this difficult time. atleast 10 days. Each ration kit contains ten kg rice, daal (pulses/lentils), and potato, onions, cooking oil, salt and soya-bean. In the first phase of look-down, NEDSSS could reach out to 1200 families with local support. With the support of Jesuit Fathers, one community kitchen was organized to cooked food to 1030 people who were stranded. It was heart touching to hear from them that they were starving and were comforted with one good meal from us. The beneficiaries were Rickshaw pullers, Transgenders, Migrants, stranded people and daily laborers. When the second phase of Lockdown was announced, NEDSSS initiated the activities with the support of MISEREOR and MANOS UNIDAS. The 1St phase of relief programme gave us sufficient experience and therefore it was easy for the organization and for the volunteers to handle the situation although problems were there at the time of distribution. Most of the times, the ration kits were 092 028

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 reached to the door steps of the beneficiaries. 1200 families were provided with dry ration, face mask, sanitizer and hygiene kit. In the 3rd phase, NEDSSS in collaboration with ACF (Assam Christian Forum) supported by CHRISTIAN AUXILARY AND SOCIAL ACTION (CASA) distributed Dry ration and hygiene kit to 604 families. The volunteers of ACF and NEDSSS joined hands together to identify the beneficiaries with the help of the village heads and local leaders and distribute the items. As the case of Corona has been spreading fast, the government made wearing mask in the public places mandatory and use of sanitizer and those violating the rules should pay the penalty. In the third phase, with the support of CARITAS FRANCE, NEDSSS also provided face masks and sanitizers to 1300 poor families. NEDSSS expresses its deepest gratitude to all the funding agencies and the volunteers who have been pillars of strength in all the ways possible to reach out to the victims of Corona Pandemic. All of them are raised in prayer for God's blessings. 1012

Quarterly report April to June, 2020 International Labour Day The staff and Director of NEDSSS observed International Labour Day 2020. It is to show our solidarity and support to our workers here and to the rest of the world. The Director of NEDSSS addressing the staff and domestic workers said that we should acknowledge the work done by every worker in the organization and elsewhere. To mark the occasion, group games were organized and gift items were distributed to all the staff and domestic workers. The celebration ended with sumptuous lunch for all. Environment Day observed Under the theme 'Celebrate Biodiversity', world environment day was observed in the office of North East Diocesan Society Service Society Guwahati Assam. It was participated by staff of NEDSSS and Caritas zonal office staff. Addressing on the occasion Rev. Fr. Varghese, director of NEDSSS, highlighted the need to be a more responsive citizen in environmental protection. Importantly, making a better earth should be the responsibility of every individual. He urged everyone to take concrete action and reduce our carbon footprint through individual efforts at work place and at home. To mark the day fruit trees (litchi, oranges) were planted around the office campus. 102