Charity is not just about giving away old stuff and volunteering when you have the time. It’s a continuous effort to make life better for others, especially those who have less than you. International Day of Charity which is observed today, September 5, raises awareness about charity and why it is important to help those who are in need. In 2012, the United Nations decided to nominate September 5, the death anniversary of Mother Teresa who devoting her whole life to charity work.
There are various charities in Goa that work for the underprivileged, for all age groups. From orphans, destitute and lonely senior citizens, all need love, attention and time. Charities in Goa go beyond the basic needs of the needy and even provide them with an opportunity to learn music as well as to learn to read and write.
Robert James from the United Kingdom started a UK Charity to support disadvantaged children and young people by founding Children Walking Tall in 2004. Now, he is working with Goa Outreach which is a charity for street and slum children in Goa. Based in Acoi, Mapusa, the charity caters to children from around Cunchelim to Karaswada to Mapusa. “I have been working with the charity for over 20 years in Goa. Outreach is an Indian trust while Goa Outreach is a UK and Goan trust. We help children who are studying in Class 1 to college. One of our youngsters have now cleared his Masters in Physics. We also had children who grew up and completed their Masters in Commerce and are now members of the trust,” says Robert, who feels that an excited shout, ‘Hi Robert’ on his motorbike ride by one of the children in the neighbourhood is always heart-warming.
The charity receives donations especially in kind throughout the year, especially by those celebrating their birthdays and while clearing the wardrobe in the monsoon. “We receive a lots of kitchen items, food items, children’s clothes, even new-born baby clothes, which is always welcome as there are many babies that can use them. We also receive stationery and we are always in need of single-line books for the children. It is encouraging to see that nearly two third of the children are girls and they are motivated to complete their education. It is exhausting to run the day-to-day routine but I enjoy it,” says Robert.
When Dr Luis Dias founded Child's Play (India) Foundation, he wanted to teach music to the disadvantaged children, for whose parent’s music would be a luxury. Now, children know how to handle musical instruments, the musical notes and even pack their instruments to take back home, raising the level of music in Goa especially for children who would not have the opportunity to learn music. The children learn to play the violin, viola, cello, recorder, flute, clarinet, piano and also perform as a choir. Prior to the pandemic, their annual fundraising events included two concerts for the year. However, now with a new batch of students post the pandemic, they are concentrating on the year end Christmas concert.
Founding member Chryselle Dias says, “We started Child’s Play nearly 15 years back and the wonderful part of it is that it is locally supported with 90 percent individuals from Goa and India which is very rare. We are supported by many musicians, educationists as the children are learning music as well as performing well in their academics. They feel extremely encouraged to perform in the concert which has a positive impact on the children. We also have an Adopt a musical instrument programme, where donors can donate a musical instrument in the name of their loved ones. Many donors meet the children during the concert and they know them and see their progress over the years. When children do well academically, we also felicitate them for the concert.” Child’s Play also has a music library which receives donations as well as music related books.
Registered as a charitable trust, Bookworm is a library-focused organisation, with the vision ‘To inspire and develop a love for reading as a way of life, and nurturing humane engagement, in everyone.’ Bookworm supports reading and spreads the love for books with three major areas of focus – the Library, Libraries in Schools and the Mobile Outreach Program. A team of professional educators, technologists, psychologists, administrative assistants and a host of volunteers make up the Bookworm family.
Some of the library programmes that are held include Read Aloud, Book Talks and Reading in the Early Years (REY) for children across different age groups. They also host author meets and film screenings besides engaging activities aligned with theme-based books. This gives children the opportunity to express themselves through the medium of colours. On September 10, Bookworm will be celebrating its 19th birthday at the Mala and Saligao libraries, followed by a celebration at Aldona on September 18 that will be open to all.
Director Sujata Noronha says, “We have organising the annual Jumble Sale for 12 years and we receive an amazing support with which we can raise donations. We receive a lot of clothes, books, electronic items and household items. We also receive volunteers from public events. There is a sense of pride among the donors that Bookworm exists. We also receive a lot of book donations throughout the year. The next Jumble Sale will be organised in February 2025.”
COOJ Mental Foundation caters to persons with mental illnesses and deals with awareness and rehabilitation for people with mental disabilities, conducting workshops and seminars and providing a support group for families.
In 2012, they introduced a Suicide Prevention Programme (SPP) and their Geriatric & Dementia Programme in 2014. “We also run the day-care centre that senior citizens from all over North Goa, eagerly look forward to. The in-house bus which was donated by a donor picks the seniors from the bus stop in the morning and drops them back at 4.30 pm. For donations, we have a wish list of what we need. We recently made Pattoleos and now modaks for sale to raise funds. We also create awareness on different days including World Alzheimer’s Day and World Elders day. The next event to raise funds will be Daan Utsav in the month of October,” says Donna Noronha, a member of COOJ Mental Health Foundation.
For over 20 years, Help & Help Charitable Trust based in Margao has been providing material, monetary and moral support to institutions serving the needy, including orphans, men and women destitute, prisoners, old age homes and homeless people. “We receive donations throughout the year and we also organise different programmes like music concerts and we recently had the first Senior Citizens’ Singing Competition. We also organise blood donations throughout the year at different venues. To mark Interntational Day of Charity, we will be distributing t-shirts to homeless people followed by lunch for destitute and children in a home in Margao,” says Savio Fernandes, founder of the trust.
International Day of Charity is a great opportunity to get involved in the charity events that are going on around you in
the state.