For the 70 odd inmates at Mogadan, a destitute home for women run by the Missionaries of Charity at Carambolim, it was an afternoon filled with music and dance on December 18. DJ Johny B Gud, sang Christmas carols, Konkani hits and popular Hindi numbers, as the enthusiastic elderly joined in, clapping their hands and danced to the tunes.
The musical afternoon brought joy and smiles all around for Clara, Bernadine, Varsha, Gulab, Sitarani, Milan, Geeta and many more who are living here, making them forget their sicknesses and woes as joined the Christmas carols with Santa Claus.
"This is my fourth year visiting Mogadan and honestly, singing for these elderly ladies gives me more happiness than the response I receive at any of my audience packed shows," admits DJ Johny who sang Feliz Navidad, Konkani hits like Ya Ya Maya Ya, Komba Ba Re Komba Show, Hindi popular numbers like Meera Meera, Tu Mera Hero and a current poular Marathi tune Zingat from Sairaat.
"December brings joy for the inmates at Mogadan when various organisations visit us. These elderly women really look forward to such joyful get-togethers and enjoy such events thoroughly," shares Sister Infanta, Mother Superior at Mogadan. "The oldest of the inmates is 91 year-old Geeta who has lost both vision and hearing ability. But she is happy to be here just like her friend Milan who is not only visually challenged but hearing and speech impaired too. However she manages to move about and can recognise us through a simple touch," shares Sister Infanta.
Along with Sister Infanta four other sisters, Sister Virginia, Sister Rose Nirmala, Sister Maria and Sister Rubella take care of the elderly with some helpers. Most of the women suffer from old age related illnesses like dementia, loss of vision and hearing ability. Some are confined to their beds or wheelchairs. The biggest challenge is taking care of those suffering from mental illnesses.
"But by the grace of God, our team takes care of them with love and compassion. Mogadan, one of the four homes of Missionaries of Charity and our first in Goa, was started by Mother Teresa in 1964 when she along with four sisters had travelled to Goa by ship," briefs Sister Infanta. She adds that the other three homes, at Panaji, Cotto de Fatorpa and Quepem have around 60 female inmates each. It is only at the home in Quepem that 60 destitute men are housed.
The musical event that was organised as a part of the annual CSR activity of Fomento group of companies, allowed these women living at Mogadan to open up and enjoy on the eve of Liberation Day of Goa. One of the inmates, Deena sang a song in praise of Mother Teresa while Clara who is living here for 20 years, danced throughout the afternoon. Their gestures of showing gratitude touched the hearts of those who witnessed the gathering.
It was a scene to behold when 70-year-old Regina sang Aisa Huva Asar Ke Mere Hosh Ud Gaye. An overwhelmed Gulab sang Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost amid applaud, followed by Varsha who sang a melodious ‘vote of thanks' with Chal Chal Tachya Uzvadan, Ya Jagyapasat Devak Arga Diyat ( let us walk the path in His light, and let us thank Him for allowing us to be in this place). "We are thankful for this kind gesture that Fomento have been showing for the past many years as it brings cheers to their otherwise mundane lives," said Sister Rose Nirmala.
