Mokokchung’s steady pace of life can sometimes feel slow to certain people, says Lanusenla Jamir, founder of First Rain. “The tempo in which Mokokchung moves can feel a little too slow to certain people,” she says. She believes this can lead to stagnation, where individuals feel like they are not progressing in life, or to a state of complacency due to a lack of challenges.
“Perhaps, that kind of pacing can sometimes bring people to a point of stagnancy where people feel like they are not going anywhere in life and also to a state where people get ‘too comfortable’ when there aren’t enough challenges.” This realization, drawn from her personal experiences, inspired her to establish First Rain, a non-profit organization based in Mokokchung.
First Rain aims to provide services that benefit the entire community with a strong focus on inclusivity. “We want to cater to intellectuals as well as people who don’t necessarily fit into those spaces, people who are good at speaking and writing, and also those who express themselves in many other forms. We really want to encourage people,” Jamir explains.
The organization offers various programs, including a ‘Masterclass Lecture Series’ that brings in professionals and subject experts from diverse backgrounds to explore topics relevant to the community. The lecture series is designed for intellectual engagement, while a separate ‘Creativity Series’ promotes artistic expression through painting, writing, songwriting, and singing. “People need encouragement and validation,” Jamir says.
“Perhaps like me, there will be people who need some sort of validation or have that somebody come up to you and say, ‘You are seen, you are capable in this way’. Your capability may not be something this town recognizes, but it does not mean you are useless or lack potential.”
Key focus for First Rain this year is mental health awareness. “This year, we are really focused on creating mental health awareness. We do not have a psychiatrist in Mokokchung and people are struggling. Not everyone can go to Kohima or Dimapur all the time, and because of the stigma surrounding it, people don’t often reach out for professional help. Therefore, this year, we have decided to do whatever it takes to bring about some awareness. It could be in collaboration with as many stakeholders as possible,” says Jamir.
In addition to these initiatives, First Rain provides a study space where people can register to work or read during weekdays. “Right now, we are targeting the youth in the first phase of our operations. We curate our events in such a way that people from all different sections of the society can make use of the space and also get access to our services,” she adds.
The name ‘First Rain’ symbolizes the organization’s goal of providing an initial push for personal and community growth. “Life that can feel a little too ordinary and mundane, you require that initial disruption—that sort of jolt you back to reality. First Rain would like to be that space where we don’t offer solutions to fix your life, but what we can do is offer you the space to wake up and do something—that initial growth sprout, to rekindle the passion,” says Jamir.
Running a non-profit, however, comes with challenges. “The first challenge is to get people to see that our services can be beneficial for them and the second challenged is to get them to step forward to avail them,” she notes.
However, she recognizes that there may be factors that serve as obstacles preventing people from approaching First Rain. She describes these obstacles as “magnets” that hold people back, whether due to societal pressure, fears, or personal insecurities. “There are many factors that stop people from taking a step forward. It could be pressure from society, fears, and expectations of different kinds. Right now, I am trying to understand the community so that we can do things that will allow people to reach out more comfortably.”
Funding is another hurdle. “Another challenge is funds. Right now, we are operating on donations funded by well-wishers for which we are very grateful,” Jamir acknowledges.
Despite these challenges, she remains committed to First Rain’s mission. “This should not just be a passion for a moment. I would love to see this as a calling and hope that it will only get bigger.”
Although still in its early months, First Rain has begun gaining attention beyond Mokokchung, with people from Kohima and Dimapur reaching out to learn more. The organization is located at 73/G Sangtemla Ward, near the Taxes Office, Mokokchung. The core team consists of Jamir as the founder, along with Dr Bendangrenla S Longkumer, David Moa Theyagaraj, and Temshier.
First Rain is the result of Jamir’s personal journey of seeking belonging in her hometown (Mokokchung) after spending her childhood outside Nagaland. Through this initiative, she hopes to create a space where others can find encouragement, purpose, and a sense of community.
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