THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
Several Goan families have been moving to the UK in recent years and Swindon has become the preferred choice of residence for many Goans in their adopted country.
With Swindon home to thousands of Goans, the need was felt to have an association to represent the Goan community, celebrate Goan identity and support Goans based in Swindon.
Since its formation in 2001, the Goan Swindon Association (GSA) has been at the heart of the Goan community and fostering a sense of social and cultural belongingness for Goans located far away from Goa.
At the annual general body meeting on April 2, the new GSA committee forum elected consisted of Zico Fernandes (President), Sheila D'Costa (Vice President), Newton Fernandes (General Secretary), Joao Pires (Treasurer) and Dr Nelson Monteiro (Chairman), as well as 10 active members, Veena Pegado, Piedade Luis Fernandes, Anthony D'Souza Richard Rodrigues, Melrick Fernandes, Robert Correia, Rolan Afonso, Vance Machado, Francisco De Melo and Nevin De Souza.
ACTIVITIES
The GSA has hosted a number of social and cultural activities in Swindon over the years.
“Celebrating, preserving, and providing a true ambassadorship for Goan culture forms a large part of the GSA’s work along with organising numerous social and cultural events aimed at bringing Goans together and keeping the Goan culture alive,” said newly-elected GSA president Zico Fernandes.
“Since 2007, GSA has been organising an annual event ‘Goan Summer Festival’, popularly known as Goa Day. It is a day-long event celebrating Goan culture, food and music. The GSA also presents the Christmas Dance and programmes for children during summer time.”
“The welfare of Goans in Swindon is at the heart of GSA and it strives to achieve this in every opportunity possible through its charitable work, collaborating with the Goan Chaplaincy and local churches, supporting local charities, and engaging with other communities.”
“The ‘Brighter Futures’ foundation, which supplies financial aid and equipment to hospitals, such as the NHS Great Western Hospital, stands as another cause close to the GSA’s heart,” added Zico.
The GSA has also played a major role in providing support in the UK and Goa during the Covid pandemic.
“With the devastation brought on by the pandemic, the GSA sprang to do its part in Swindon. Locally, the association collected and distributed food to 300 families in need of support. Similarly, the GSA was instrumental in supplying PPE kits and food packets to Goa. The GSA’s fundraising efforts saw donations of £9,000 in support of humanitarian efforts abroad, during the pandemic,” informed Zico.
The GSA has plans for a community centre for the benefit of the Goan community in Swindon.
“The community centre will benefit the Goan community in many ways. A central place which we can call the ‘Goan Community Centre’ will facilitate children and youth activities, community events and social and cultural events, as well as housing the GSA administrative office,” he added.
“The GSA thanks the outgoing members for their dedication and contribution made over the years. Going forward, the GSA aims to continue with great enthusiasm to carry out the work of social welfare and its aims to develop funds for a community centre which will grant much-needed facilities for the Goan community.”
