Press Release
In keeping with the spirit of Christmas and their annual tradition of donating to noble causes, the Goan welfare association (GWA), Qatar, on December 22, Monday donated Rs three lakh to the orphan children suffering from HIV, who have been looked after by Caritas Goa.
Goan Welfare Association (GWA) president Simon D’Silva handing over a cheque of Rs. 3 Lakh to Archbishop of Goa & Daman, Felipe Neri Ferrao at Bihop’s Palace, Altinho on Monday, 22 December. Former Chief Minister and GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro, GWA Event Coordinator Glorio Fernandes, Members Nancy D’Silva,and Sacra Fernandes are also seen
The cheque was handed over to Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrao by GWA president Simon D’Silva in the presence of former Chief Minister and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Luizinho Faleiro; GWA Event Coordinator Glorio Fernandes, members Nancy D’Silva and Sacra Fernandes.
Appreciating the initiative of GWA, the Archbishop said that the donated amount will be exclusively used for the orphan children suffering from HIV and in setting up a new training institute/college for DEd teachers in Goa. The training institute which is in the nascent stage would be set up at Sancoale (Padr. Jose Vaz). He said that the Goan Welfare Association has been donating regularly for charitable causes and thanked for their generosity in helping such social causes in the State.
Luizinho lauded the charitable, social and cultural activities of the GWA and praised them for doing yeomen service for the Goans. He also applauded Simon D’Silva and his team for celebrating 14 consecutive years of success.
Simon thanked the Archbishop and Luizinho, who he said guided and converted GWA’s altruistic desires into reality. Since 2001, the GWA have pitched in to support organisations involved in relief work for the cause of the downtrodden and neglected sections of society in India, he said.
GWA Qatar functioning under the dynamic leadership of President Simon D’Silva who have been consistently doling out funds for relief work to different organizations in India. D’Silva is also the recipient of Global Goans Community Service Leadership Award from the Government of Goa and recently Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) appointed him as the Convenor of Congress NRI Global Goans Cell.
The Goan Welfare Association has been the voice of Goans living in Qatar for the last 15 years without any doubts. Superbly led by the multi-talented Simon D’Silva, the association has rendered yeoman’s service in nurturing Goan culture and spirit among the large number of Goan expatriates. On a larger note the association has always been in the forefront of reaching out to various causes back home, thus setting a shining example to all. It is therefore not astonishing to see them host events with great aplomb and success over the last decade. The association is known not only for meticulous planning but also perfect execution and the annual May Queen Ball has been the true example for this.
Contributions to the Gujarat Earthquake Victims through Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, Child Relief and You (CRY), a national level social-charitable body involved in the welfare of orphan children have been the twin organizations where the Goans have pitched in over the last few years.
GWA have also supported social work carried out by Lar de St. Terezinha Orphanage home at Margao and also helped the institute in Cavelosim village functioning under Caritas which is sheltering orphan girls suffering from HIV. Simon said adding that they will continue helping social and good causes.
