The community of Auxilium Training Centre, Saiden Nongpoh of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Shillong Province in its endeavour to create awareness of the rights and duties of children has been mobilizing children from the nearby villages to join this association of children. After a few months of hard work and dedication in this ministry, along with the candidates in formation (postulants) the Sisters had the joy of organizing the Oath taking ceremony of the Neighbourhood Children’s Parliament (NCP) on 15 December 2022. More than three hundred children took part in the programme.

The official oath taking ceremony took place at Mawdiangum village in the premises of Lurshai Upper Primary School. The persons in attendance for the memorable event were Ms. Lalchan Dami K. Marak, the Junior Rural Development Officer of Umling C & Ribhoi District, who represented the BDO of Umling Block as Chief Guest, Ms. Aprelia Ruth Rani the representative from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) office, as Guest of Honour, Ms. Deity Kordor, the Center Coordinator Childline Nongpoh, as special Invitee, the Headmen, Sr. Helen Puwein the Social Development Coordinator of the province, Sr. Luigina Duia, the Animator of Saiden community, Sr. Deihok Mukhim, the Co-coordinator of Children’s parliament, the Sisters and many representatives of men and women from the four villages of Umjarasi, Mawdiangum, Pahamsyiem and Iewmawlong, where the children come from.

The oath taking ceremony began with words of welcome from Sr. Luigina Duia the animator of Auxilium Saiden and followed by the anthem of the NCP. The chief Guest Ms Lalchan Dami K. Marak officiated the oath taking of the Prime Ministers of the five units of NCP: 2 units from Umjarasi, and one unit each from Mawdiangum, Pahamsyiem and Iewmawlong villages. Ms Aprelia Ruth Rani administered the oath taking of the ministers who would take care of the Home ministry, Education, Media, Culture, Finance, Sports, Health, Child Rights and Cleanliness departments, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Speaker. Sr. Helen Puweiñ and Shri Manlang Mawphniang, the Village Secretary of Mawdiangum, the host village administered the oath for the rest of the members. Following the oath taking was a felicitation programme by the different centres and the Aspirant and postulants. The guests of the day in their speech encouraged the children to perform their duties to the best of their abilities and appreciated the Sisters for such a noble initiative, empowering children to become responsible citizens of the nation. At the conclusion of the programme, Shemboklang Mawlieh, the Prime Minister of Mawdiangum NCP Unit proposed the vote of thanks and as a token of gratitude a fine handmade bamboo craft, prepared by the Aspirants and Postulants was given to all the guests of the day.