PANAJI
The Goan Welfare Society (GWS), a non-profit organisation founded in Nairobi in 1994, hosted a celebration at the Goan Institute, Nairobi, on October 19 and 20, to honour the three decades of service to the community.
The GWS was founded by a dedicated nine-member voluntary team with the primary objective being to assist those in need in the community. This founding committee was led by Paul Lobo and comprised Alzira Vaz, Maurice Dantas, Bernadette Quadros, Clarence Abranches, Mirabeau Da Gama Rose, Lena Castellino, Tony Da Cunha and Victor Da Costa.
The celebrations kicked off with a themed “All That Glitters” formal dinner dance with the headliner being the singer Andre De Souza, all the way from Goa, who entertained the crowd up to the early hours of the morning. Traditional Goan cuisine such as beef croquettes, chicken xacuti, sorpotel and sannas, and bebinca were some of the sumptuous foods available on the night.
The current committee (2024) with founders.
This was followed the next day by “An African Sundowner Barbeque” with traditional mbuzi (lamb) being served. The culmination of the event was preceded by Holy Mass which was presided over by five celebrants namely Fr Luis Saldanha, Fr Sebastian Koladiyi, Fr Charles Odiambo, Fr John Oscar O'goma and Fr Richard D'Souza.
During the occasion, the founder members and the past chairpersons who were present were recognised with appreciation awards as gratitude for their selfless contributions to the community.
The occasion was graced by the Head of the Consular Services at the Indian High Commission Sudeep Kalsari, Chairman of the Goan Institute and Goan Community Mombasa Larian Abreu, the Goan Gymkhana Chairperson Arvind Patel and Vice-Chairperson Sharon Noronha, and the Goan Institute Nairobi Vice Chairperson Gale D’Costa, with apologies from the Chairman Raja Sarkar.
“It was a truly fitting celebration sponsored by the community for the community,” said Cedric Nicholls.
Andre De Sousa from Goa entertaining the crowd.
