Kohima: Education in Panso, a remote area in Nagaland's Noklak district bordering Myanmar, is finally changing. Despite the state’s high literacy rate, this region has long struggled with poverty, isolation, drug addiction, and gun-making. A new library called Atsumoalojen Athang, or A Place to Awaken, recently opened at the local Baptist School to provide a path forward.
Community organizer Wekoweu Tsuhah spearheaded the project. She spent years visiting the village to support the Baptist School, which was founded in 1993 by former Nagaland Legislative Assembly member Khongo Shiu. Shiu left city life to educate his community, and his daughter, Shongping, now serves as head mistress. The school grew from 80 to 130 students between 2022 and 2026. The students are mostly first-generation learners. Tsuhah said, "Seeing Mr. Khongo and Shongping’s quiet grit - growing the school from 80 to 130 students (from 2022-2026) amidst severe resource constraints and underpaid teachers moved me deeply."
Opening the library on August 12 took more than just money. It required a chain of human kindness. Monsoon landslides between Tuensang and Panso nearly blocked the project. A small grant of Rs 47,000 provided the initial seed funding. Friends and donors from Bangalore and Kohima, including PenThrill Publishers, helped collect and transport the books. The library now holds a diverse range of materials, including ecology and local stories, meant to keep children grounded in their heritage.
Early results show impact. Just two days after the launch, Class 6 and 8 students began using dictionaries to decipher new words. Teachers also credit the improved environment for helping students like Chillio, who was unable to read simple words after COVID-19 lockdowns. Now, he reads official letters to his father. To keep the space alive, village elders are acting as living libraries, sharing oral histories to complement the printed books. Tsuhah wants the library to be more than a silent museum. She plans to maintain constant engagement, ensuring the community sustains the facility for future generations.
Comments