GLOBAL GOENKARS IN CANADA
TORONTO
Pick a day. Pick a Goan Seniors’ event and there you will find Mississauga’s Greta Dias quietly orchestrating the arrangements to create a happy evening for those attending. Canadian Goans excel in helping the community through the G.O.A. Toronto (and other smaller like-minded associations) and as a vital part of this, Greta’s creativity and effort play an important role in looking after the needs and happiness of its senior citizens.
Loneliness in older age affects our seniors much more than it affects those living in say, Goa. The problems are different but no less acute. Perhaps money is not always a problem, and family may be a little more caring but when you are not so mobile and when the visits are over, depression comes knocking at the door. Professional help in the form of personal support workers at home or living in retirement residences is of a high standard but at that stage, someone with whom they can relate, becomes more important than comfort. Remember, most of them came to Canada in their later years and adapting to a different lifestyle was markedly different than the experience of their children. Yet, most of them rose to the challenge but when retirement came to these seniors who were once busybodies, it hit hard.
Greta understands this. Born in Kampala, Uganda into a loving Goan family, her father at 65 relocated to retire in his ancestral village of Carmona in Salcete. While most returning expats will take it easy and live the life, he chose to help the villagers with their various problems. Even after his term as the village Sarpanch he continued to serve as an active volunteer. Greta’s mother shuffled between Uganda and Goa. A talented and hobby fashionista (this has passed to Greta), she indulged in it by sewing for her family and for close friends. Greta credits both her parents for her happy upbringing, enthusiasm for field sports and volunteer ethos.
Starting her working life in Uganda at 22, she soon got a lucky break as the personal assistant to the Chairman of a large cotton industry company. In early career she could start seeing the view from the top. This view would help for the rest of her life in gaining rare perspectives. Married at 24, she emigrated to Canada and chose to live in London, a middle-to-large city in southwestern Ontario. There her family were the only brown faces, but the people were nice and the help new immigrants usually need, abounded.
Hearing of the G.O.A. activities in Toronto, they would drive two hours to attend functions there. But this was where she felt at home as in Kampala, among her community. Soon, moving to Toronto, her husband started a computer business where during the course of his activities he met and shook hands with Bill Gates. Greta, thanks to her sister, got a position in Air Canada as Cargo Manager. However in a twist of fate that was later to become G.O.A’s advantage, she became as involved in company event management for VIP clients as she did in increasing cargo revenue for Air Canada, where she worked for 25 years. During that time, invited to volunteer for the G.O.A. Toronto by its then president, and accepting on condition she could work outside the box, she plunged into tasks where her ideas and her work were valued and appreciated. During that time, the Association after a protracted struggle, got its own premises, a long outstanding dream finally fulfilled with the dedication of its still current and active president Selwyn Collaco who leads a team that has energised this city’s apex Goan body.
Under her expert organisation, the seniors have been able to participate in events that are social, educational and life enhancing. Computer literacy, gentle physical exercise programmes, cooking classes for heart health, adapting to hearing loss, music, arts and culture being some of them. Meeting every Wednesday under the banner of ‘Silver Linings’, seniors do line dancing and Zumba with volunteer but professional instructors, learn new skills, mix and mingle, have a full lunch and play bingo, billiards, carrom, cards or just chat. They actively participate in Viva Goa, the largest outdoor Goan event in the country, attend the New Year’s Eve dance, while raising funds for charity and donating to the food banks. Not forgetting a weekly Rosary started during Covid which continues to this day.
Managing all this while fruitfully living her own life, being there for her family and doting on her four grandchildren would be a Labor of Hercules would she not love doing it and got her family support to plough through it all.
Here she says it in her own words: “For me, being a senior does not mean acting the part. If you ‘think old’, you will feel old. Yes, it is hard sometimes when the body misbehaves, but a positive attitude is a healing drug. Volunteering for any organisation should include a passion for the cause. When working with people, respect for your fellow volunteers is crucial. Understanding those who are vulnerable is so important. Everyone needs a friendly face they can confide in or just chat with. A friendly smile or a few kind words can lighten the darkest days.”
Well said, Greta.
[The writer resides in Toronto and likes to observe and write.]
