PANAJI
Viva Goa Festival, North America's largest Goan festival, has gone online this year and with a special cause -- to help raise funds for individuals and families impacted in Goa due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organised by the Goan Overseas Association of Toronto, Viva Goa Festival is celebrated every year in the summer to celebrate Goan culture and cuisine.
The online event had performances by many talented artists including the Mando group "Goychim Lharam" performing the new release of their video which was well-received by all and revived the traditional spirit of the mando to the online community.
There were other performances by Sonia Shirsat, Oluv, Norman Cardozo Music, Entre Nós and many more who collectively helped showcase the best of Goan talent right across from Goa, New Zealand and Canada.
The fundraiser in Canada now has raised over $75,000 and specials thanks to a generous donor who is matching every dollar donated up to $100,000.
"This year is even more special. Not only are we celebrating 50 years as a community organisation, but we are also giving back to our Goa during these unprecedented times when individuals and families are impacted as a result of the pandemic. Some of us are fortunate to be able to help the needy,” explained Selwyn Collaco, President of Goan Overseas Association of Toronto.
“These are times when our international Goan community needs to step up to help our brethren in Goa and Goans across North America have really stepped up to the cause”.
This fundraiser is part of a larger initiative known as the "GOA Outreach Initiative” that involves close to 20 Goan Associations across US and Canada and a governance team comprising Effie Tavares, Carmeline Baretto George Pinto and Selwyn Collaco who have all collectively come together to help the people of Goa during the pandemic.
The first phase has already been executed through partners helping individuals and families in Goa with emergency relief providing groceries, masks, sanitisers etc. including smartphones for poor deserving kids. The fundraising campaign ends on December 31.
