KHUZAMA: SACRED HEART sCHOOL - EDEN GARDEN

Sacred Heart High School, Khuzama, was established in 1979 at the request of the people of Khuzama, a small but close-knit village community in the Southern Angami region of Nagaland. The villagers, eager to provide their children with access to quality education, approached the Jesuit Fathers, who only a few years earlier had found a school in nearby Jakhama. Although short of funds and personnel, the Jesuits agreed and started a modest primary school.

What began as a simple initiative gradually flourished. Year after year, the school grew in both size and reputation. New classes were added, and the humble bamboo-and-tin structure was eventually replaced by a sturdy brick-and-mortar building.

Today, Sacred Heart School educates 321 students, and each year has several young men and women successfully completing their High School Leaving Certificate examinations and either proceeding to college or entering the workforce.

Education Amidst Hardship

The students who enrolled at Sacred Heart School in the early years came from impoverished families, many of whom struggled even to pay the modest tuition fees. Yet, thanks to the generosity of friends and benefactors of the Jesuits, as well as support from Catholic funding agencies, the school not only survived but steadily grew.

Over the decades, Sacred Heart School has been a beacon of hope. It has transformed the lives of hundreds of tribal children who once had little hope of receiving a proper education. Many of its alumni now serve in respected government posts and public positions, becoming shining examples of how education can uplift entire communities.

Early Struggles and Growth

The school’s early years were marked by numerous challenges. Apart from a severe lack of funds, finding suitable land in the village for the school also proved difficult. After much negotiation and perseverance, a plot of land adjacent to the local football field was acquired. Though the initial school building was simple, its proximity to the football ground proved to be a blessing, as the school could use it for various school activities, and for sports and recreation.

The Village of Khuzama

Khuzama village lies about 20 kilometers south of Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, near the border with the state of Manipur. Despite gradual development over the years, the village remains small, with a population of fewer than 5,000 people.

The people of Khuzama are Nagas belonging to the Angami tribe—an indigenous community known for its strong traditions, courage, and deep sense of community. According to local folklore, the Angamis are believed to have migrated from the east centuries ago.

Agriculture continues to be the primary occupation of the villagers. While a few are employed in the government or work in the private sectors, most families depend on subsistence farming, cultivating rice and potatoes on their terraced fields.

The Birth of Eden Garden

Soon after the school’s founding, another pressing need became apparent. The long years of conflict in the region had left many children orphaned, abandoned, or severely neglected. Others suffered from malnutrition due to widespread poverty and large family sizes.

The Jesuits acquired a larger plot of land, but about two kilometers away from the school, and established a home for orphaned and destitute children. It was named Eden Garden. With Sacred Heart School already in place, these children could be provided with quality education besides a nurturing environment. The plan has been that these children would also learn some vocational skills so that they could be equipped to succeed on their own, since they did not have a family that they could count on for their continued education or care.

A Legacy of Faith and Hope

The story of Sacred Heart School and Eden Garden has, above all, been a story of faith, perseverance, and trust in Divine Providence. Founded with limited resources but a lot of faith, both institutions stand today as living testaments to the power of compassion and the generosity of countless well-wishers.

Together, Sacred Heart School and Eden Garden now educate and care for more than 320 children — nurturing their minds, bodies, and spirits, and giving them the tools to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

• 25th October 2025