Announcements
 

Appeal for Haiti from the Goan Charitable Organization The disaster in Haiti has touched the hearts and minds of people the world over. There is a widespread desire that Goans here offer support, as a community, to the people of Haiti. We have in place the Goan Charitable Organization, which has responded in the past to pressing humanitarian needs at home and abroad. We ask members of our community be responsive and make generous contributions to the plight of the people of Haiti. The Goan Charitable Organization can receive these donations, and, as in the past, hand amounts raised to the Red Cross. This has the advantage that donations received will be matched by equivalent amounts by the Federal Government . Donations can be made to: Goan Charitable Organization P.O. Box 5667, Station”A” Toronto, Ontario. M5W 1N8 Income Tax receipts can be issued for amounts $10 and above. P.S: PLEASE INSERT IN MEMO FIELD OF YOU CHEQUE “HAITI” For further details please contact: President: Roque Barreto 416-997-9155 Vice President: Francisco Carvalho 905-829-1698 Secretary/Treasurer: Emano Moniz 905-828-8993 Directors: Elma De Souza 820-6446 Alvito Fernandes 905-566-4881

Hiring an Immigration Consultant? Only Hire a Member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants MONTREAL, Jan. 27 /CNW/ - In light of recent events, the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) warns consumers considering hiring an immigration consultant that their best protection is to hire a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant.   "Quebec has a long history of consumer protection. With tens of thousands of people a year looking to make Quebec their home they need qualified, well-trained people to help them make their dreams come true. If these people are thinking about hiring an immigration consultant to help them, their best assurance of quality is to hire a CSIC member known as a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant," said John Ryan, CSIC Chair and Acting CEO. "Our members are equipped with the latest information on immigration law, procedures and practices and they are held accountable to high professional standards." The CCIC designation confirms that the consultant is an authorized representative in the eyes of the Federal government. It is available only to candidates who have successfully completed an approved formal academic program and passed a rigorous application process. CCICs must abide by strict rules of professional conduct and carry mandatory insurance coverage and contribute to a client compensation fund.   A list of accredited CSIC members is available on CSIC's website, at www.csic-scci.ca.   The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants is the professional regulatory body for immigration consultants in Canada. Established in 2004 it currently has more than 1600 members. CSIC's mandate is to protect consumers of immigration consulting services. Consequently, it is responsible for ensuring the education, competency testing and the discipline of its members. CSIC also requires its members to carry errors and omissions insurance and to contribute to a compensation fund.   For further information: Nancy Tibbo, (416) 945-6271, Toll Free: 1-866-308-CSIC, ntibbo@csic-scci.ca

Do you know someone? Minister Kenney launches a “Call for Nominations” video for the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism January 26, 2010 @ 11:00AM Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today launched a public service announcement (PSA) to call for nominations for the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism. The goal of the PSA is to raise awareness about the award. It asks Canadians to look at those around them – colleagues, friends, volunteers and community leaders – and recognize deserving individuals who have made important contributions to multiculturalism and diversity. The PSA will be sent to community and cultural television stations to be aired at their discretion. It will also be posted on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) YouTube channel to expand its reach over the Internet. In addition, CIC is launching a print advertising campaign about the award in ethnic, community and special media publications that focus on multiculturalism. The Paul Yuzyk Award commemorates the late Senator Yuzyk’s pioneering legacy establishing multiculturalism as one of the fundamental characteristics of Canadian identity. “Paul Yuzyk was a key figure in telling the story of Canadians of Ukrainian origin and in encouraging Canadians to learn how various cultures have contributed to the strength of this country,” said Minister Kenney. “The award named in his honour acknowledges people who have demonstrated a dedication to the advancement of diversity, multiculturalism and the integration of new Canadians into Canadian society.” Individuals from communities across Canada can be nominated for the award in one of two categories: Lifetime Achievement or Outstanding Achievement. The Lifetime Achievement category honours an individual who has demonstrated life-long dedication to the promotion of a strong multicultural society in Canada, while the Outstanding Achievement recognizes an individual or a group that has made a significant contribution to Canadian multiculturalism for at least one year within the last five years. Nominations for the 2010 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism are currently being accepted until March 1, 2010. To learn more about nominating an individual or a group for the award, click here . Click here to view the public service announcement

Kampala (Goan) Institute Centenary Celebrations Committee Message from Antonio Mascarenhas (Chairman) Organizing Committee –100th Anniversary 336 Karen Park Crescent Mississauga, Ontario Canada, L5A 3C6 Tel: (905) 270-9773 Toll Free: 1-888-270-9773 (Canada & USA) E-mail: villa.fatima@sympatico.ca” Website: http://www.kampalagoaninstitute.com/ CONTRIBUTIONS/ DONATIONS On behalf of the Kampala (Goan) Institute Centenary Celebrations Committee, I wish to inform members that, we have received US $ 30,000 from Chairman, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia on behalf of the Kampala Institute, Kampala, Uganda and US $10,000 from Mr.A.R. Kalan, Managing Director on behalf of the Crane Bank Ltd., (Ruparelia Group), Kampala, Uganda, contributions towards our reunion and centenary celebrations. This money will go a long way towards making the 4 days celebrations a very enjoyable and memorable occasion and will make it more affordable to the hundreds of former and present members who would avail of the opportunity to attend this global reunion in Toronto, Canada from June 24th to 27th, 2010, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Kampala (Goan) Institute. We would like to thank most sincerely Dr. Ruparelia , Mr Kalan and the Executive Committee Members of the Kampala Institute for their kindness and generosity. Hope they will join us in our celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Antonio Mascarenhas (Chairman) Kampala (Goan) Institute Centenary Celebrations Committee January 16th, 2010

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