Achukuru, a Non-Government Organization based in Ziro, with its mission to provide a sweet home for destitute women, Orphan children and others has been rendering a yeoman service for a decade long now. Founded by Tailyang Santii who is popularly known as Anne Shanti, the organization provides free education and vocational training such as tailoring, gardening, cooking, etc, and in addition to that, it also provides free legal services and medical facilities to its occupants.
Santii is a mother of three children and two of her sons have been closely working with her in running and managing the NGO. The organization currently provides a home to more than 100 occupants.
The organization was established in 2000 and was registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act,1860. Achukuru is an Apatani word, which means ‘helpless’. It is a parent organization under which the Mother’s Home, Children Home and ecotourism are established, its main motto is to provide proper facilities and justice to the weaker section of the society and those socially despised and economically deprived individuals, said Santii’s second son Tailyang Tanio.
Having been a victim of domestic violence, polygamy and faced a lot of struggles, hurdles, and criticisms in her life, Santii, the founder of the NGO, has been working tirelessly with the thought of proving a proper home for the needy and underprivileged.
“My mother grew up with a widowed mother with little financial support and could study only till Class VII. Despite her difficult past life, she has always been on her toes to help the needy”, shared Tanio.
Tanioalso recollected how her mother received a lot of criticism from the people on how the NGO should be run. But on the other hand, many people supported her.
He said that her mother’s desire to help needy people despite different views from the others is inspirational and exemplary, which prompted him to dedicate full time to this organization despite many youths going for government jobs. He further added that an emotional attachment with the children made him decide to support her mother in this initiative.
He also shared that one of the proudest moments for Achukuru was when two children of Achukuru, namely Koj Tam and Subu Rupa brought laurels for the state by winning the Gold Medal in Special Olympic in 2011, representing the Arunachal Pradesh in the Bocce game.
Tanio said that they keep the mother’s home and children’s home under the same roof so that no one feels left out and that everyone may happily dwell under the umbrella of Achukuru. Further, he also said that they want to make them independent and self-reliant.
He further added that one of the main visions of this house in Ziro is to have a school built within the campus and make medical facilities available within the campus for the occupants. He also prays that the state government provides financial aid to the NGO, so that the dream of the children may be transformed into reality.
Written by : Tage Tunia
