The journey so far..(18th May 2013)

More than one year has passed since Faith Foundation got registered (April 3rd,2013). Looking back, we know that we've been truly blessed in many ways and we are thankful to God and a lot of people who believed in us and supported us. We have been able to accomplish in this one year more than we thought we could do in terms of work, activities and programs. And we would like to take you on this journey with us starting with the inauguration of the organization on the 18th of May 2013.
We inaugurated Faith Foundation at our old office in Mawiong in the presence of our family, friends and well-wishers. The local MLA, Mr Embhah Syiemlieh officially inaugurated it and it was blessed by His Grace, The Archbishop Of Shillong Diocese, Dominic Jala. Besides them, we also had a very special person, Father Jerry Thomas (Director of Bosco Institute)who came all the way from Jorhat to be with us. He is our guide and a strong supporter since the time Faith Foundation was just an idea. Through Bosco Institute, one the co-founders, Miss Maniung Niangti received an award which included seed funding for the organization. This helped us to kick start the organization. It also exposed and introduced us to other youth-led organizations which brought valuable input to the organization in terms of funds, networking, trainings and workshops.

 In the pic (L to R): Fr. Jerry Thomas, Darhmingliani Hloncheu, Maniung Niangti, Shannon Dona Massar, Barida Laloo, Archbishop Dominic Jala and MLA Embhah Syiemlieh.

Introduction

Faith Foundation is a non-governmental organisation registered under the Meghalaya Societies Registration Act XII of 1983 (No E.16/5 of 2013/24). The organisation is started by four young women: Shannon Dona Massar, Barida Laloo, Darhmingliani Hloncheu and Maniung Niangti who are driven to change the situation of vulnerable women and children. All four of them have come from the social development sector and have first-hand knowledge on the issues that they are passionate about. They all believe that they have a purpose for the work that they have been called for. Besides having experience in their respective fields, these young women have seen many organisations’ efforts are limited or fall short of the needed interventions. They aim to bring new strategies in their interventions in the field and not replicate the already existing programs and services of other NGO's.

This organisation works on the issues of substance abuse, HIV AIDS, child sexual abuse and human trafficking particularly for women & children only.

Present Programs:

• ·        An Interactive school base intervention program with children on substance abuse, to sensitize them on the ill effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, a program to empower children with the skills to deal with peer pressure. This program will also be replicated with children at the community and institutions.
• ·        Reaching out to children who are co dependants in the disease
• ·        To reach out to women of substance abuse and provide services in the centre.
• ·        To network with various institutions and NGO's on the issue of substance abuse.
• ·        Awareness programs in schools, community and Institutions on the issue of Human Trafficking.
• ·        Personal Safety Education Program in schools for the prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. This Program will empower children and equip them with skills to handle situations, to be able to report if abused to parents or teachers.
• ·        Building strong networks with anti-trafficking organisations at the destinations areas like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.
• ·        Building Networks with the Government agencies, community, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.
• Conducting awareness programs at schools and institutions on the issue of HIV AIDS and to reduce the impact of stigma and discrimination.

The four co- founders along with three volunteers also attend any trainings and workshops related to the issues that the organization works on.