Announcements
 

Viva Carnival, a charitable fundraiser to assist Ann D'Souza and Ezekiel Rego. Ann D’Souza is 5 years of age, born premature at 7 months and underweight. Sadly, she has a condition referred to as Microcephlia. What this means is that she has an underdeveloped brain. Jessie D’Souza, Anne’s mother is a special needs mother, as she is required to provide constant care for Ann. Ann’s food consists of formula, administered via a feeding tube, which is in use for 9 hours per day. The port site for this tube is located in the abdomen causing pain and discomfort depending on the clothing worn. Currently, Jessie’s sister looks after Ann while Jessie goes to work, this however is a short term arrangement as the sister will be going back to school shortly. Ann attends a local school and has a special education teacher for ½ the day. The family will be in need of a caretaker for Ann. While there is government funding for this, it is specific to 8 hours per week and Anne requires 24-hour assistance. A caretaker cost approximately $15 per hour and Jessie’s income supports her family (Ann, 3-year-old brother and Jessie). Ann is a beautiful child with a crowd-stopping smile. She is very alert and hyperactive, hence requiring constant care. She weighs only 20 pounds and is approximately 85 cm tall. She enjoys music, dancing and loves shoes! We would like to assist the family so that they can get a caretaker for Ann, a speech pathologist, purchase supplies (diapers/formula) and do anything to make Ann’s life as comfortable as possible. Ezekiel Rego (known as Ezek) is 7 years of age and has a mild case of autism. What this means for Ezekiel, is behavioural and social issues. His parents Maria and Elvis see the difficulty their son experiences in fitting in with society as he has the challenge of learning how to act and carry himself with others. Ezekiel attends a school that has a split class (grade 1 and 2) and has a special needs teacher for ½ a day. Because Ezekiel’s autism is mild, the government does not cover the cost of any therapy. This is not something that is an affordable option for the family as Maria works and cares for Ezekiel, an older son, husband and mother in law. Swimming is another activity this little boy wants to be a part of, however he is not able to manage with the children in his class and as a result, the instructor has advised one on one classes for him. Sadly, the family is not able to afford this as Elvis is not able to work and Maria is the only bread winner for the family. Ezek is full of life and a very active little boy who will win your heart over instantly. He does require assistance with his speech and social skills. We would like to help the family get therapy for little Ezekiel. Perhaps go to summer camp where he can learn social skills and fit in with his friends and society in general. Event Information: Click for Flyer Order Form: Click for Flyer

Goan Archives Project Update Message from Cecil D’Cruz – Chair Steering Committee http://sites.google.com/site/goanarchivescanada/goan-archives-canada The Goan Archives mission is to assemble, preserve, organize, and store, publications and documents generated by Goan Community Groups in Canada over the last 40 years. The intent is to facilitate study and understanding of the Community by scholars and researchers in the future. The project initiated in October 2009, held its first Open House on November 11, 2009 at the Rosary Church in Scarborough. This effort has been quite successful, judging from the list of items in the collection or pledged (see sample of items in collection). They represent the work and publications of the major Goan Organizations, which were active in the Greater Toronto Area over the last 40 years. The organizers of the project are pleased with the results so far as the collected items serve to preserve the history of the community, which would otherwise be lost or inaccessible. The next step will be an Open House in the West GTA to collect further items, and give the Goan public an opportunity to view some of the collected items. See http://sites.google.com/site/goanarchivescanada/open-house-nov-11 The focus of the project for the first quarter of 2010 is the collection of items from individuals. These include: Reminiscences or memoirs of early arrival and settling in Canada. These can be written accounts, voice recordings, photos and videos. The intent is to gather first person accounts. Papers and collections from those who worked in Canada for many years in public service, business, or the professions. Newspaper clippings or articles of those who achieved distinction in various sports at local or national level. Articles on voluntary service to the community, the Church, Goan organizations, and welfare groups. Those wishing to submit collections can contact the Goan Archives Project by email: goanarchivescanada@gmail.com The Goan Archives Project collection phase is expected to be complete by the summer of 2010. This will be followed by sorting and classifying work with the intent of depositing 12-20 bankers boxes of items in a suitable national archive. The Goan Archives Project Steering Group invites those who have items of heritage value, to be magnanimous, and participate in the effort of adding to the collection now, so that we as a community can properly discharge the obligations we owe to the community and to the next generation. Cecil D’Cruz Chair – Goan Archives Project Steering Group.