PANAJI
The scenic north-eastern State of Manipur continues to burn as the violence will mark three months on August 3. The hatred and bitterness between the two communities, which completely overturned the peaceful environment into an uncontrolled law and order situation, might take time to restore but Goa is already on a mission to heal its counterpart State.
For over a month, NGO Street Providence, Goa has been providing relief material to ensure that displaced and distressed people across the communities there get some solace. The NGO, through its founder trustee Donald Fernandes, has been sending consignments of dry ration, medicines, diapers, sanitary pads, etc till date, and for the first time a team led by Retired IPS officer Bosco George visited Manipur with the relief material.
Its assistance does not restrict providing these supplies as the NGO intends to start temporary shelter homes to provide ‘post-trauma counselling’ to the affected people. Speaking exclusively with The Goan, George said the NGO is working at and seeking people’s contribution to sponsor the schooling of around 300 children.
The NGO’s team also had its trustee Advocate Caroline Collasso, environmentalist Arturo D’Souza, Parish Priest of Corgao Fr Clifford Castelino and local Joseph Fernandes visiting the State, all of whom returned to Goa on Thursday. With the help of the authorities and the Church, the members visited the relief camps.
“What’s happening now is completely disturbing and I sympathise with the people suffering there. We are doing our best to help them cope with the situation. In addition to our present drive; we intend to start shelter homes to help people overcome the trauma. It will happen once the tension stabilises,” he said.
The NGO is likely to rope in counsellors from Goa who will be willing to provide their services in Manipur for a minimum of one month.
“There are several schools which are destroyed. Students of those schools under the Diocesan Society will be shifted to its other schools, but there are still many who will be left without studies. We are working out a scheme for 300 children wherein their school and boarding fees will be taken care of,” he further said, adding, ‘their details will be uploaded on the Street Providence website and citizens can directly contribute to the concerned authorities/ educational institutions.”
Fernandes added that they are also attempting to build small budgeted homes for the poorest of the poor and free homes for abandoned poor people with disabilities. “These are huge projects but we dare to dream big,” he said.
The founder trustee conceded that logistics is the biggest hurdle and for any help reaching any parts of Manipur, it has to be planned at least 15 days in advance. The Church, besides other agencies, is playing a pivotal role to help the affected population.
