“I feel great to be part of Caritas Samaritans, now I realize the harm caused by human deeds towards mother earth. From now on I pledge to be part of the solution not part of the pollution “time to stand united to fight against the issue”, shares Mr. Peheutingyibe Herie, Caritas Nagaland Samaritan

Jalukie is a town in Peren district of Nagaland with a population of 8,706, mostly inhabited by Zeliangrongs and it is the commercial hub for traders. Development Association of Nagaland has been handholding Farmers of Peren District in jalukie Block through FARM Project supported by Caritas India since 2013. Several activities were carried out in the region. When DAN initiated Manuel registration of Caritas Volunteers, 50 youth registered themselves and came together for one movement. On 28^th July 2019, DAN initiated to organize State Volunteerism Orientation wherein group of more than 70 youths registered themselves for one movement through the program.

While enrolling, the Samaritans were oriented on Caritas India’s principle of “Care for creation and Nature”, this information sensitized the volunteers. Caritas Samaritans are a group of self- motivated volunteers committed to engaging in favor of people in situations of vulnerability and suffering. Volunteerism is another form of contributing towards preserving our environment. Keeping in mind those factors, Caritas Nagaland Samaritans initiated a poster campaign on the theme “Save Trees” in Jalukie town on 29^th August 2019. A poster camping, ‘creating awareness on global warming’ was also initiated on 17 September 2019.

On 23^rd September 2019, a total number of 227 youths and women initiated cleanliness drive creating Awareness on climate change and Global Warming in lungda market jalukie, with Shri.C.Wangan, Extra Additional Commissioner (EAC), Jalukie and declared the market a plastic-free Zone. The groups are monitoring the market and have further plans to organize such activities in all the local markets in the region.

The Samaritans also initiated cleanliness and plantation drive with the Government and private organizations in the region.

“I thank Development Association of Nagaland and Caritas India for creating an opportunity and providing a platform in which young minds can come together to strive towards saving our planet and also capacitating us to respond to different situations”, shares Mr. Lungkerakbe, Caritas Nagaland Samaritan

Through these small initiatives, the teams have hope that the efforts put in by the team will have a positive impact on the community in conserving and protecting the environment and encourage people to come together to save our environment. The state has 120 registered volunteers, more and more people are joining this movement to become a change-maker in society.

“Achievement is wonderful when one knows why it is done. Having the opportunity to participate in the eventual declaration of the First plastic Free Market (lungda market) in the state is no exception.

It is wonderful. I am Thankful to DAN and the leaders who worked with tireless dedication toward protecting the environment. Simply, The joy of service” shares Mr. Rampisinang Nemwe, Caritas Nagaland Samaritan