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Calling Nairobi Goans Re. Preservation Of Nairobi South Cemetery Sunday December 21, 2008 Goanet Posts From: Mervyn & Elsie Maciel I've just had a request from an English historian friend of mine in Nairobi, asking if someone in the Goan community in Nairobi could join the "Friends of Nairobi South Cemetery Group. Here is the background to his request:"When the cemetery opened in January 1900, only a matter of six months after the rails reached the spot to be the future Nairobi, there were many Goans employed in the clerical side of the Uganda Railways. To start with, those who died were put adjacent to the Europeans, with some very fine headstones and monuments. As time went by, a type of segregation started, and the Goans were given their own rows, and eventually, a complete corner of the cemetery. Everyone comes under our interest irrespective of race. Many of the dead were too poor to afford a memorial, but all have an engraved number to mark their burial, and we have the complete grave register to tell use xactly who is buried where. My interest in the Goans arises from the desire to have the current members of the community be aware of those pioneers, and maybe participate in some part with the recognition of the souls buried there -some for over 100 years" The bulk of the DeSouzas, Fernandes,Mascarenhas et al, were all employed by the railway. There is a complete row of children, numbering about 30 souls lying theretoo, and we have their names. I have a simple form of memorial thought out, which would give their names, instead of the bald grave number indicators. It would be inexpensive costing maybe £2 each, but would do the job fine. The cemetery is now 108 years old, and we have plans afoot to have the ground gazetted as a national monument. In collaboration with the Museums of Kenya, we hope this aim will be achieved, thus providing this historic corner of Nairobi with a status of dignity and interest" A worthwhile cause to honour many of our early Goans pioneers, and I hope I could be given the contact addresses/telephone numbers of interested Goans which I can then pass on to my friend. His only reason for contacting me is because, in his own words - "I have tried in vain to receive a response to telephone calls to both the Goan Gymkhana and Goan Institute. A great silence prevails" I hope there will be a response to this request and perhaps even suggestions from other ex-Kenya goanetters? Thank you. Mervyn Maciel