By Our Special Correspondent
SHILLONG, June 16: Every organisation begins with a vision. That vision often comes from an individual with empathy and caring. It was with this vision that the NGO, Women for Integrated Sustainable Empowerment (WISE) was born in the year 2000 as a social action wing of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM) commonly known as the St. Mary’s sisters.
Led by Sr. Judith Shadap who was weighed down by the sight of so many women burdened by poverty and in need of empowerment; the replication of poverty on account of teenage pregnancies, exacerbated by young girls dropping out of school, the RNDM superiors at the time supported the idea that women can be empowered if they were provided some skills so they can then start their own enterprises.
And that is how WISE was born and continues to grow from strength to strength providing so many women with succour to branch out on their own and make a sustainable livelihood for themselves.
On June 14, WISE turned 25 and the day saw a commemoration of the NGO’s struggles and toils amidst stormy seas but also of gratitude for the many achievements.
Rev. Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh celebrated Mass along with other celebrants, including Bishop Pius Shadap.
Earlier, a gist of all that made up the 25-year journey of WISE was read out by one of the sisters. Apart from empowering women, WISE also pans out to other areas in need of its empathy.
The members of WISE including those on its governing body regularly visit the Shillong district jail to listen to the inmates and give them some hope amidst the encircling gloom.
In its 25-year journey, WISE has created several self-help groups which is the best way towards empowering women through the spirit of collaboration and mutual assistance.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who was present at the celebration, inaugurated the vendor trolley donated by WISE to Magrita L. Mawphlang who is one of the successful entrepreneurs who had made the best use of the skills training she gained from WISE.
Magrita is now selling fast food; she makes cakes and pastries on order and has also got into food processing and candle making to boot!
Magrita has in turn given training to single mothers like her and to families who want to provide similar skills to their children. She accompanies Sr. Judith to the district jail and correctional home to motivate the women to make best use of the skills that WISE provides them. Magrita has become a demonstrable model motivating other women’s organisations.
Sr. Judith the mover and shaker of WISE shared with the attendees her early journey when WISE was conceived and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her superiors at the time who understood her calling and allowed her the space to branch out into the NGO sector to meet a felt need of society.
Those present at the gathering prayed that WISE continues to inspire more women to empower themselves.