the goan I network
PANAJI
Volunteers of Street Providence Trust and Food Bank for the Poor, Sangolda are trying to locate the family of Francis Lobo who was found desolate and in a helpless condition on the streets of Mumbai, a couple of days ago.
Claiming to be from Corjuem-Aldona, Francis is in the care of a convent in Mumbai, where he was admitted for treatment by the Street Providence Team with the assistance of the Mumbai Police.
“His condition is stable, but he needs to rest as he is too weak to travel,” informed Donald Fernandes, trustee at Street Providence Trust, Sangolda.
When asked if any details were known about how Francis got to Mumbai, Fernandes said that everything is speculation at the moment and nothing is known for sure. “Our priority is to help Francis,” he asserted, adding that if they are unable to trace Francis’ family, they would definitely look after him.
“It would be nice for him to meet his family at least once, as this is what he has been asking for ever since he was found on Charni Road in Mumbai,” Fernandes stated.
The video to help locate Francis’ family was initiated by Shailesh Mehta on July 25. “The first two videos I circulated didn’t get a response,” explained Mehta, a social worker in Mumbai, adding that Francis got third time lucky. “I decided to try one last time as Francis really had to be hospitalised by this point, as he was very weak,” Mehta informed.
This time the video reached a man who immediately got in touch with Street Providence. Now that the NGO has already managed to rehabilitate Francis at Byculla, and has got him medically examined, the volunteers are trying to get the Mumbai Police to issue a letter declaring Francis homeless, so that Street Providence Trust-Goa is allowed to look after him and get him back to Goa, as this is Francis’ wish.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mapusa, Serafino Dias helped Street Providence get the Mumbai police started on the paperwork for which Fernandes is grateful.
Street Providence Trust is also looking for donors who can help with the expenses of taking care of Francis in Mumbai and in Goa till the NGO traces his family.
