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FOLLOW US:
“TO LOVE AND SERVE THE NEEDY IN ACTION”
MISSION
TO EXPRESS IN ACTION THE LOVE AND CARE OF GOD TOWARDS THE NEEDY, THE OPPRESSED, THE MARGINALIZED AND THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL AND MAN MADE CALAMITIES SECURING THEM FREEDOM FOR INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT.
CARITAS-GOA is a dynamic expression of the Church’s option for the poor, the destitute, the ailing and the marginalized. It works to alleviate human sufferings and uplift those challenged in any way, especially women and children whether physically, mentally or economically.
I – Projects for the empowerment of Women:
1. St. Bridget’s Institute of Home Science:
Situated in Aldona, Bardez, this Institute aims to empower women through skills of self employment and management of homes. The Institute conducts a ten months Home Science Certificate course. Preference is given to school drop-outs and the economically backward girls. The Institute provides boarding facilities and caters to women of all religions. More than 30 young ladies are being trained at this Institute every year.
2. Caritas-Goa Vocational Training Centre for Women:
Housed in “ Instituto de Nossa Senhora de Piedade”, Panjim, the Centre trains young girls and women in hand and machine embroidery (preparing bed and table linen, centerpieces, etc.), stitching garments , church vestments etc. The proceeds from the sale of the articles are utilised to remunerate the trainees. An average of 20 trainees are trained in different trades every year.
3. Self – Help groups:
Since the year 2004, Caritas-Goa reaches out to women at the grass roots by establishing Self Help Groups (SHG’s) in predominantly OBC / Scheduled Tribe populated areas. Awareness programmes, seminars, training sessions are conducted to help women get organised and use their own resources and efforts to become self-reliant. Self help groups have been established in Ambaulim-Quepem, Curtorim and Dicarpale.
4. Lar de Sta. Terezinha: is an orphanage for girls and women situated in Pajifond, Margao. The Archdiocese has recently (2006) requested Caritas-Goa to take charge of this orphanage. Caritas-Goa has taken up the management of this orphanage. 75 girls/women are being taken care of.
5. “Obra de Proteccao a Mulher” (OPM) (Service for the protection of Women.)
Caritas-Goa is recognized by the Government of India. This Institution is functioning in a house at Nachinola, Bardez. The aim of this programme is to meet the needs of the unwed mother and to offer care and protection to her child. The Women are counselled, given medical attention as required, hospitalized and are taken care after the delivery. Thus they are protected from social criticism and ostracization. Every year, an average of 20 unwed mothers are admitted at the Institution and they remain in the Institution till about 3 months after their delivery.
6. Guardianship of Relinquished Babies/Children.
Caritas-Goa is an approved Adoption Agency by CARA (Central Adoption Resource Agency) for placing Babies/Children in Guardianship with both Indian and Foreign Guardians. This project is a sister project of O.P.M. The Organisation follows the procedures and rules laid down under the prevailing Guardianship Acts(1890,1956).This project brings happiness both to the concerned adults (adoptive parents), and the babies/children, ensuring a safe and fruitful future for each baby/child. On an average 15 babies are relinquished by the mothers and they are given in adoption to Indian and Foreign couples every year.
II – Projects for the empowerment of the Disabled/Differently Abled
1. Saint Francis Xavier’s Centre for the Differently Abled-Old Goa:
This is a project, which comprises:
a) St. Xavier’s Academy: This is a Special School, recognized by the Government of Goa, striving to cater to the holistic development of the Differently Abled. Classes are conducted for the Hearing Impaired, Slow Learners, Orthopaedically Disabled, Mentally Challenged, Learning Disabled and children with autism. The students are given opportunities to an all round development. Our students have brought laurels to the Centre and the State by winning prizes, trophies, medals at the State, National and International sports events. They are also very good at Art. Hundreds of disabled children have benefited at this Academy.
b) National Institute of Open Schooling: St. Xavier’s Academy is accredited by the National Institute of Open Schooling, New Delhi, in two sections (A) Academic and (B) Vocational. Students who successfully complete their Std. VIII, and are capable and desiring to pursue in studies, are given the opportunity to complete Std. X and Std. XII. This facility is open to normal Children/School dropouts. Around 875 students have successfully completed their studies.
c) St. Xavier’s Vocational Training Centre: Depending upon the interest of each, the Children are given courses in Art, Painting, Handicrafts like making Paper Bags, Envelopes, Greeting cards, Hand embroidery, Crochet designing, Cane technology, Candle making, Tailoring, Bakery, etc. 1400 children have completed their vocational training.
d) St. Xavier’s Shanti Niketan: Residential facility for students from distant places.
2. Prosthetic and Orthotic Centre:
This centre meets the needs of the physically disabled for mobility equipment. The centre provides Artificial limbs, Crutches, Calipers, etc. with the grant received from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled persons for purchase/fitting of aids/appliances. Patients were given wheel chairs, crutches, walkers, etc. at the Centre according to their needs.
3. Christ the King Physiotherapy Centre:
This Unit renders service to the Orthopaedically disabled/affected and also to others. The Unit has facilities for postoperative therapies. An average of over 4500 patients are treated every year.
4. Dr. Graciano Ribeiro de Santana Empowerment Centre – A Training cum Rehabilitation Centre for the Differently Abled:
It is a Training cum Rehabilitation Centre for the Differently Abled started in the year 2006. This ambitious project, located in the ancestral Mansion of Dr. Graciano Ribeiro de Santana family, at Porvorim, seeks to equip the Differently abled youth/adults with skills for self-employment. Various courses like cookery, bakery, tailoring, box making, envelopes, secretarial courses etc., are conducted. These diploma/certificate courses are open to other youth specially women.
5. Other Services to the Sector of the Disabled:
a) Caritas-Goa is the State Partner of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and National Disability Network (NDN).
b) It works in close collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare, Govt. of Goa.
c)It has been instrumental in getting all Institutions and NGO’s working for the interests of the Disabled to network in Goa as one unit called the “Goa Disability Network”.
d) It promotes employment to the Disabled and provides sheltered employment.
III – Projects for protection of Health:
Caritas-Goa is running two Community Care Centres:
a) ASRO-Tivim is taking care of children (mostly orphans). The Care Home for HIV/Aids at Tivim, Bardez is under the supervision of a doctor. 14 children are being taken care of by a Religious Congregation.
b) ASRO-Cavelossim is the Community Care Centre at Cavelossim that takes care of adults and children. It is under the supervision of a doctor. National Aids Control Organisation (NACO). NACO renders 80% support to this Project through the Goa State Aids Control Society (GSACS). Every year, an average of 300 patients are admitted at the Care Centre.
c) Home Health Care Workers Training at Aldona: Since 2006, Caritas-Goa conducts a Certificate Course in Home Nursing of 1 year designed for training boys, girls, men, ladies, particularly for assisting Senior Citizens at home and in hospitals. This course is approved by the Human Resource Development Foundation and is conducted at St. Bridget’s Institute, Aldona. The admission is open to 20 students.
Prison Ministry: A team comprising of Religious men/women, Diocesan Clergy and Laypersons has been entrusted with the responsibilities of rendering service to Prisoners. They have undertaken the following activities:
1.visiting Prisons (with due permission of relevant Authorities), counseling Prisoners, conducting Inter-religious Prayer Services on National days and other festivals and conducting classes for them in literacy, art-craft, music, etc. The response has been very enthusiastic and Prisoners have prepared cards, wall hangings, paper bags, the sale of which has been used to procure basic material.
2.visiting families of Prisoners, counseling them, helping the Children in their school and attending to their welfare with assistance from Caritas-Goa where necessary and encouraging them to avail of the Government schemes.
3. helping to rehabilitate released Prisoners with the funds of Caritas-Goa as well as assist them to use Government schemes.
V – Project for Community benefit in Divar – From the year 2005, remedial classes for weaker students of the village are being conducted for students of 7th, 8th and 9th Std. This house is also available for training sessions or meetings for community building. Students availing of these remedial classes have shown marked improvement in their performance.
VI- Relief Work after Calamities:
Caritas-Goa co-ordinates the relief operations for victims of calamities like Earthquakes, Prevention against plague, Cyclones and Floods, etc.
During 2004-2008 the following relief operations are conducted:
a) 2004 Tsunami victims in Orissa
b) 2006 Flood victims in Gujarat and Rajasthan
c) 2008 Victims of Riots in Orissa
VII – Social Welfare and Animation Projects:
Another service Caritas-Goa renders in the Archdiocese is to process all Social Welfare and Animation Projects to be recommended to Funding Agencies, with due approval of the Ecclesiastical Authorities. It also sees to the finalization of the Projects and submission of Reports and Audited Accounts to the respective Funding Agencies. This responsibility is undertaken by the Diocesan Projects Selection Committee.
VIII – Supporting Projects:
Caritas Complex:
Centrally located in St. Inez, close to the capital City of Goa, this Complex has the following facilities:
a) Caritas-Goa Holiday Home: The complex provides clean and safe accommodation to Tourists at a reasonable rate. Run by the Goan Catholic Charitable Trust, the project aims at generating employment to the Differently Abled within their capabilities and to other qualified/competent unemployed persons. The fund that is generated is utilized to carry on the charitable activities of Caritas-Goa and other charities of the Goan Catholic Charitable Trust.
b) Conference Hall: This spacious and well-equipped Hall is a good facility for seminars, workshops, and meetings.
c) The terrace garden also serves as a good place for small gatherings / celebrations.
IX – Other Funds Managed by Caritas-Goa
1.Holy Childhood Association:
Caritas-Goa is responsible for disbursing the subsidy received from the Pontifical Society of the Missionary Childhood. Needy and deserving children, under the age of 14, receive the benefits for educational purposes through Institutions like the Diocesan Society of Education. The differently abled and other needy children are funded to undergo corrective surgery and to take specialized treatment. Every year hundreds of deserving children are being helped by this Association.
2. Trust of Nicolau Sobrinho:
This is an endowment made by Mr. Nicolau Sobrinho and managed by Caritas-Goa. The interest accrued on the amount is used:
b) to assist poor persons for medical treatment and personal needs. (with appropriate
recommendation).
Every year, on an average, financial assistance to 140 needy persons is given from this fund.
X – Pastoral Care of Tourism in Colva (2007):
The Church has often spoken up against the evils of Tourism and proposed alternatives to the patterns of mass tourism. This has been somewhat on an adhoc basis. With the issues getting complex and the intensity of the problems worsening, the Church desires to systematically exercise its prophetic role in calling tourism what it has degenerated into.
Some short term and long term steps are contemplated which can pre-empt further degradation of the industry.