Panaji: A community in UK, with their
roots traced back to Navelim in Goa`s Salcette taluka, is
getting ready for fund raising dance to financially help
projects back in their native village, located 40 kms away
from Panaji.
Union of Navelim (www.unionofnavelim.com) formed in
the year 1980 under the Chairmanship of Joseph Gomes, will
host anniversary feast of Our Lady of Rosary on November 27,
2010, at the same time when Navelim residents will throng to
this 400-year-old church. The union has 250 active members.
The expatriates have hosted a fund raising dance, open
for its members and receipts of the ticket will go for social
activities back in Goa. The anniversary feast will be held at
St Joseph`s Church, Harrow Weald in Greater London.
The event organiser in UK said that for the past 30
years, proceeds raised from the annual celebrations have gone
to help the villagers of Navelim.
The union currently led by Sandra Fernandes-Allan, in
past, have taken up projects like helping the local school in
Goa with respect to buying books, clothing and supplies,
supporting the Old People`s Home in Navelim and providing
funds to the repairs of main Church.
"It`s really nice to see that people of Navelim
remember their roots despite being far off," said Savio
Coutinho, Navelim parishioner and outgoing Chairperson of
Margao Municipal Council.
Coutinho said that the expat community, on their own,
have contributed for the welfare of the village, which is
something mind-blowing.
PTI
