The Entrepreneurs Associates’ (tEA) annual “Run to Reforest” was flagged off by Paralympian Hokato H. Sema on 26th October 2024 from High School Junction, Kohima with technical assistance from Nagaland Athletic Association (NAA).
The event that aims to promote sportsmanship, community engagement, and environmental conservation through reforestation drew a combined strength of 471 runners, a press release from tEA informed. The R2 Run featured a scenic route through the high school junction to IG Stadium, via secretariat road.
Speaking at the event, Hokato H. Sema, the bronze medalist at the Paris Paralympics 2024, recounted how he lost all hope during the initial stages of his paralysis from a tragic landmine explosion while serving in the military in 2002 but was able to persevere and win a medal at Paris under the Shotput F-56/57 event through faith, commitment to the craft, and with God’s divine intervention. Sema encouraged the runners to never lose hope and to keep pushing through even in the face of adversity and continual disappointments that life throws our way.
A press release from the organisers informed that the R2 Run 2.0 witnessed an interesting feat with the winners from the previous edition bagging the prize again. The oldest and youngest participant were 76 and 4 years old, respectively. This collective participation highlighted the spirit of unity the community possess, especially in showing up for causes that matter.
The first session of the program was chaired by Chunjanglu Gracy, Operations Supervisor at tEA. The event ignited off with Japhet Pojar, Youth Pastor of Pochury Baptist Church, Kohima blessing the event with a heartfelt prayer.
This was followed by Neichute Doulo, CEO of tEA reflecting on the significance of the event and how trees are crucial for both the environment and wealth generation. He emphasized on how the Trees for Wealth (TfW) Movement will help demonstrate Nagaland as a vibrant economic zone whereby liquid money is lucratively generated apart from supporting human life. Neichute further stated that the R2 Run isn’t solely focused on combating climate change but aims to create wealth landscapes for NER India based on the environment.
Chubazen Longkumer, Project Coordinator at tEA moderated the second session of the event. Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of tEA, impressed upon the participants on their adjunction into the audacious movement. She underscored the participation of individuals from all walks of life as the silver lining of the day, especially in jet setting the movement to achieve the target of planting 1 billion fruit trees and 2 billion trees of economic value by 2050. This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony with Chitsiarho Po, Programs Manager at tEA announcing the winners from all the 7 categories.
The Run to Reforest or R2 Run is an initiative under its flagship Programme, namely Trees for Wealth (TfW), which aggressively addresses a multitude of socio-economic setbacks such as low income generation, limited employment opportunities, trends of urbanization, and climate change. Today tEA’s outreach ripples through Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Till date, tEA has trained and worked with 18,000+ First Generation Entrepreneurs, 1500 SHGs, 30,000+ farmers, 10000+ women street vendors and nano entrepreneurs. Under its many programs, tEA has been providing the communities with training on financial & business management, skills training, zero interest loans, health and legal services, mentorship and linkages to markets. Moving forward, tEA hopes that communities will continue to develop sensitivity to climate change, make strides in utilizing our local resources for wealth generation, and more aspiring entrepreneurs will take ground.
