By Chloe Fernandes, a student at Chowgule College, Goa
Together with National Social Service volunteers from my College I was privileged to attend one of the seven eye camps held in Veroda, Goa on September 21, 2014. The eye camp was sponsored by Fr. Domingous S. Jacques, who just turned 96 this year. He is from Veroda and now lives in Fremont, California. It has always been his desire and dream to give back to the village he came from.
The eye camp was a real success. We began with a small inauguration and the lighting of the lamp at around 10 am, though registration began at 9.30 am. We recorded a footprint of 185 people that day. We asked whoever came in early to call their neighbors as well when they were done, and they did so. It was amazing so see how far a small thought could go. I am so glad to be a part of this initiative as this time the camp was held in a village and I could see how much the people needed this.
- Goa Sudharop
In 2013, we fund-raised a total of $10,000.00 at the Goa Sudharop event, A Night in Goa. This year we disbursed $7,036.38 to Mukta Opticians to provide optical services at eye camps in villages in Goa.
We are in the process of sighting another village for the funds generated from the auction and from your additional donations and we plan to disburse the remaining funds in January 2015. So far, 5 of the 7 planned eye camps have been completed.
Please note, if you are interested in sponsoring full eye camps, a donation of $750 will cover the needs for a village. We are very appreciative that you are helping us make a difference in providing the gift of vision to people in impoverished communities in Goa.
Thanks,
Anjali Shastri & Ryan Colaco
- Acaria Almeida
Goa Sudharop reached out to the Goan community in the Bay Area to support an appeal to provide emergency assistance for HIV positive babies under the care of Nitya Seva Niketan.
Nitya Seva Niketan is a perpetual service center in the state of Goa founded in 1978 by the Pilar Fathers. The mission of the center is to “spread the mission of love to the poor...in Goa”. The center originally served the needs of the poor and in 2004 expanded its services to care for, rehabilitate and empower women and children with HIV/AIDS. The center also spreads awareness of HIV/AIDS.
We would like to thank Bay Area resident Troy De Souza’s generosity. He was the first to contribute to the appeal for emergency funds to feed the HIV positive babies. His generosity allowed the Provincial Superior of the center, Sr. Alphonsa, to provide nourishment and care for the babies.
Additional requests to furnish the center for care and comfort are also being supported through employer matched donations by other donors.