Category Archives: Updates

27Jan/23

TODAY SHOWS YOU HOW OUR VOLUNTEERS FEED BREAKFAST IN VILLAGES TO OUR OWN LOCAL PEOPLE EVERY MORNING.

Updates
27.1.2023. 7Pm IST
FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR SANGOLDA GOA today shows you how our volunteers feed breakfast in Villages to our own local people every morning.
In my Parish of Guirim – Sangolda for over a year every morning free fresh breakfast is distributed to Poor goan people by Lawrence & his team .
Attached a small video and and a picture 👇👇
Beneficiaries varies dally between 100 -125 and it happens in 2 places in Guirim village & 1 place in Sangolda village .
3 feeding points daily 7.30 am to 8 am .
We have combinations of :
☆ Paratha 3 days a week 
☆ Bread 3 days a week 
With :
☆ Egg 2 days a week 
☆ Banana 2 days a week 
☆ Jam & butter chiplets 2 days a week 
Most of the beneficiaries are verified as the feeding is at village level and everyone knows everyone. 
At times these same beneficiaries are provided hot and nutritious food in the afternoon or late evening which we get through our Food Bank program where daily we accept close to 500 kgs of good cooked food which otherwise would be wasted. 
None of our volunteers or our team look at this as a FAVOUR bur rather we see it as a SERVICE to humanity.
In today world where food costs are rising , poor & old goans , elderly parents with no support from children,  single mothers, widows , labour class , etc are all given a meal at these feeding points at Guirim – Sangolda.
Serving looks easy but then :
◇ 1. Parathas & bread has to procured fresh before 7.30 am
◇ 2. Eggs and bananas are procured the previous day from the city 
◇ 3. Jam & butter chiplets are needed to be stored in a fridge and ordered in advance. 
Lots of planning & logistics go into organizing this feeding as it happens in 3 places but sourcing and storage is at one place. 
It's these little services which we provide to many poor and needy people through our various programs @ Street Providence across Goa and that Blessings & satisfaction we get is much more than what we try to search and get through many worldly ways.
Lawrence and the other team members are senior citizens or family people and to get up every morning and provide this service is not easy and it's happening over a year .
Each meal costs rs 20 only. 
If you are celebrating any function then please also sponsor such meals as part of your celebration.
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
26Jan/23

WISHES AND BLESSES MR. VISHRAM BORKAR , SP @ GOA POLICE, ON HE BEING CONFERRED THE PRESTIGOUS PRESIDENT POLICE MEDAL

Updates
26.1.2023. 5pm IST 
🇮🇳A Very Happy Republic day today to one and all.🇮🇳
On this wonderful day , Street Providence Goa and all their inmates wishes and blesses 
Mr Vishram Borkar , SP @ Goa Police,  on he being conferred THE PRESTIGOUS PRESIDENT POLICE MEDAL today. 
For those wondering let me explain.
Last year , we intended to install a food bank fridge at The Raj Bhavan , Dona Paula.
Mr BORKAR , is the ADC ( aide-de-camp ) to The Honourable Governor of Goa. 
THE ADC is also incharge of the Security of the Governor.
Since we are not politically connected, I had  approached an IPS officer who got me in touch with Mr Borkar .
Mr Borkar is A GENTLEMAN to the core. 
Mr Borkar gave me an appointment, heard me out regarding the food bank fridge at the Raj Bhavan but shot down the idea due to serious security reasons which I accepted. 
But he ( and the then secretary) came up with another suggestion ” The Raj Bhavan donating 100 freshly cooked meals every week to our food bank program “.
The Governor too liked the suggestion and it's close to a year ” we as the food bank get 100 freshly cooked meals every week from The Governor house “.
No where in INDIA , will you come across any Raj Bhavan donating freshly cooked meals to feed the poor to a registered FOOD BANK.
And we are proud to be that FOOD BANK receiving food weekly from THE RAJ BHAVAN. 
In our line of Service to the poorest of the through our NGO, I have discovered that God has planted some important official in our lives to get that extra work done and Mr BORKAR is one of them.
That day after the meeting, or even before the meeting, knowing there is a security issue, he could have just sent me away as he never ever met me before and neither was he obligated to the IPS officer who sent me to meet him .
But he did not do that. 
Well for those who know Mr BORKAR personally will vouch for his simple nature,  humble background & his down to earth and easy to get along attitude.
Mr Vishram Borkar understands hunger, homelessness & those people suffering from disabilities and that makes him a UNIQUE  person who always remembers his past and his simple village life style in SHIRODA village .
I have come across a few high ranking government officials who just refuse to even listen to genuine requests as they themselves have lived a life of poverty and just because of Power they refuse to look back in their own lives.
These officials just don't want to go back to their childhood life of poverty but rather they prefer to wear the Power on their sleeves. 
Power is never permanent which quite a few both Government officials & politicians should understand. 
Mr Borkar has the prayers and blessings from our homeless street people for his understanding of the words HUNGER & homelessness. 
We are assured that in the coming years of his service @ GOA POLICE,  Mr Borkar support and commitment towards the homeless and the people with Disabilities on the streets of Goa will be much more than today. 
Once again A Wonderful occassion on INDIAs Republic day to get an award by Mr Vishram Borkar ie THE PRESTIGOUS PRESIDENT POLICE MEDAL.
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
838097564 / 7020314848
24Jan/23

THANKS, OUR COMMITTED AND COMPASSIONATE VOLUNTEER, MR. PAI, WHO IS RETIRED PROFESSOR FROM GOA UNIVERSITY

Updates
24.1.2023. 7pm IST 
RETIRED PROF FROM GOA UNIVERSITY, PROF MR. PAI has been serving breakfast daily last 3 years outside the hospital at  GMC & IPHB , Bambolim. 
FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR SANGOLDA SANGOLDA GOA, thanks our committed and compassionate volunteer,  Mr Pai, who is  retired Professor from 
Goa University who inspite of being a senior citizen yet with zeal and enthusiasm of a teenager has been standing daily 7.30 am to 8.45 am outside the Hospitals in all weathers. 
It's not easy to get up every morning for the last 3 years and start his own car and be present at 7.30 am outside IPHB BAMBOLIM in all weathers. 
Then at 8.15 am to 8.45 am outside GMC hospital. 
Prof Pai has even served during the entire covid waves both 1 & 2 breakfast all by himself. 
I remember covid 19 , 1st wave he even served dinner at night all alone. 
We provide him the meals and the serving is done by him. 
Never complains and seldom takes a holiday 
( Sunday is a day of rest so holiday ). 
One of those Jolly old men who has that ability to smile and make you smile even if you don't want to smile. 
Low profile, simple in nature, easy to get along , respects all faiths , non controversial, has a passion to feed the poor and the homeless & committed to the core . 
That's our Volunteer , Ret Prof Mr Pai . 
Carries in his car a nutritious hot breakfast enough for 100 People daily which costs our NGO Rs 20 per meal . 
Every month we spend about Rs 50000 on this free service which is almost 3 years to date 
You won't read of such committed service in the newspapers as not many press people Want to get up at 7am and cover such selfless service to the poor and hungry . 
Once again @ FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR SANGOLDA GOA,  daily approx close to 1500 meals are served across different parts of Goa through our staff & volunteers. 
You can always celebrate your special function:
☆ Birthday 
☆ Wedding anniversaries 
☆ In memory of a loved one 
☆ Your promotion 
Etc 
by contributing towards our food bank program of feeding the poor and the homeless. 
All what I wrote can be verified by simply catching up every morning 7.30 am outside the IPHB Hospital Bambolim. 
Please don't use short cut and ask me for
PROF PAI cell no, but rather pay him a visit and encourage him to keep doing the good service of feeding the hungry and the needy 
God bless you all 
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
22Jan/23

RESCUES AND GETS OF THE STREETS OF MIRAMAR, GOA THIS HIGHLY CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA GOAN MAN

Updates
22.1.2023. 8pm IST 
STREET PROVIDENCE GOA Goa rescues and gets of the streets of MIRAMAR, GOA this highly CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA Goan man who has been sleeping in the garden at MIRAMAR last many weeks in this chill and cold weather in unclean and unhealthy living conditions. 
One can zoom in the COLLAGE and see how difficult it has been for us and him . 
Miserable, agony for him , hungry , in the cold, Lonely, unclean and unwanted. 
But that will change if we can control him in the future which is a challenge. 
With holding his name as he has family in Caranzalem who wants him to stay at home but this goan man is just refusing to take medication and ends up on the streets. 
Saturday early morning a elderly goan lady disturbed my morning sleep as she had got my no from a friend and requested to help this goan man who she felt pity for as he has been sleeping, roaming and living in the garden right op Hotel Fortune, Miramar . 
Always searching for food but very very unclean & bad odour. 
Within 2 hours we sent our Ambulance and our team and took the assistance of Panjim Police Station. 
Man turned violent and aggressive and almost was getting physical and about 4 men had to physically get him into the Ambulance. 
Extremely unclean & smelling . 
Taken to IPHB, who as usual were very 
co operative and understanding and our team member Douglas signed and admitted him on the condition once ready for discharge, our NGO will take him to our home for rehabilitation. 
He later even told his brother name and cell no and his brother reached the IPHB and explained to the Doctor and to our team the medical condition of his brother from 1992 . 
Yesterday, ie Saturday we had 6 such cases to handle including this one . 
The no of cases of mental disabilites are rising & rising very fast and I am scared and unsure how we are going to accommodate so many requests 
If we refuse, letters are written to :
Superintendent of Police ,
Disability Commissioner 
and it says ” STREET PROVIDENCE is not accepting ” or ” has sent back “. 
Then EDUCATED ADVOCATES & so called SOCIAL WORKERS call and try to just force me to take in such cases as if they are funding us or the government is funding us fully. 
I am not obligated to admit each and every request as at times some are either difficult to handle or some have families and that's their issue to sort out . 
Besides our current men's homes are practically over loaded with men & water issues has started which makes it even more difficult. 
The Government of Goa is supporting us partly  but that is not enough as we are shortly going to be touching at 200 inmates  suffering with disabilites of which 90 % are free of cost. 
Everything is rising in Goa like water. Electricity, inflation, monthly expenses and with this the no of inmates and the requests to take in more are also rising. 
We require bigger homes, more staff, more vehicles, more blessings to meet the ever increasing bills and we require it quickly else we just will not be able to take in so many such requests and they will ultimately end up :
On the streets 
In IPHB
Or in the JAIL once they go out of control. 
We are trying our level to help each and every one who comes to our office or who contacts me, but a time will come we might have to say NO. 
God bless you all 
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 /7020314848
21Jan/23

ACCEPTS, RECEIVES & SAVES CLOSE TO 600 KGS OF GOOD PACKAGED FOOD WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE REACHED THE GARBAGE DUMPS.

Updates
21.1.2023. 7pm.IST 
FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR SANGOLDA GOA , accepts,  receives & saves close to 600 kgs of good packaged food which otherwise would have reached the garbage dumps. 
These are samples of Atta , healthy fruit spread & amla drink which are in date and were to be sent back to the company which ultimately would have expired and thrown into the garbage dumps. 
The distributor was alert to call me & request me to use this for the poor and needy in our homes and to be Given ahead through our food banks. 
600 kgs of such good packaged food is too much for our shelter homes and we require only 100 kgs in Total all sent in sacks and boxes. 
Rest we started giving away to various Poor families who we have been supporting through our dry ration monthly program across Goa and through our volunteers who feed fresh food through our food bank fridges. 
The SAD part is daily in GOA , thousand KGS of such packaged food stuff is destroyed through FMCG distributors & wholesalers as that's the system prevailing last so many years. 
Can you imagine how good packaged food is just destroyed and thrown out when so many poor hungry people can benefit. 
The FSSAI / FDA is the implementing authority under SAVE FOOD , FEED FOOD campaign to see that packaged food just like fresh food is routed through food banks to feed the poor . 
But who cares and who is bothered ? 
This is the reason INDIA HUNGER INDEX is going from bad to worse and the garbage dumps are rising. 
And I am not sure how people FREAKING SLEEP at night especially those connected to the FMCG distribution when such packaged food is left to expire on the shelves of supermarkets and shops and then brought back after expiry and destroyed. 
If we as INDIANS need to drop our HUNGER INDEX , it has to start at the ground level and this one source is FMCG  distribution & wholesalers. 
We need to understand that a huge population of our country is poor, undernourished, struggling to meet to get two meals a day . 
I am just back from JHARKAND and I know what is hunger & poverty in real true meaning. 
Goa is way way ahead in nutrition. 
I can say GOA is the food capital of INDIA. 
Let's all pledge to be part of attempting to save food first in our homes and thinking and working towards feeding those hungry and undernourished. 
I thank Mr Prakash from Mapusa ( originally from Ratnagiri )  who last many years has been consistently sending our food bank many such different types of good food from the distribution business he does rather than throwing it out into the garbage  
And I can say with CONFIDENCE, Mr Prakash business in the last 4 years has doubled and he is very focused on seeing that food is not destroyed but given to the poor & hungry in Goa. 
Those in the FMCG business in Goa should take a leaf from Mr Prakash and attempt to avoid such good packaged food from reaching the garbage dumps. 
God bless you so much
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
20Jan/23

A fully Automatic Chapati machine

Updates
20.1.2023. 7pm IST 
A fully Automatic Chapati machine costing Rs 9 lacs at todays rate,
manufacturing 900 Chapati per hour installed @ Colvale Jail. 
Attached a 22 sec video so that you can see how this machine works 👇👇
Street Providence Prisoners Welfare has been started to serve the Welfare of the Prisoners. 
Late Dec 2022 , Street Providence Prisoners Welfare, installed a commercial Water Dispenser cum water purifier Worth Rs 50000, on the eve of Christmas. 
This water Dispenser bill was taken care by a benefactor Mr Kirit Maganlal owner of MAGSONS 
Early Jan 2023, our NGO donated this automatic machine to the Jail as there was a need for such a machine. 
This auto matic machine was purchased by a leading bakery in 2019 , but was never used due to genuine reasons and I was aware of the same. 
The owner was kind enough to give away this machine at a very heavy discount for a worthy Cause plus alot of spares and accessories worth a few lacs . 
This automatic Chapati machine has a cost , of which a kind lady benefactor has donated 
Rs 1 lac. 
We still have to get another Rs 1 lac to close this bill. 
Last 7 days trials have been going in the Jail and the results are satisfying @ 900 Chapati / hour . 
Capacity is actually 1000 ,Chapati/ Hour but gradually within the next 15 ,days this machine will deliver 1000 Chapati / hour. 
I know there will be few wondering why is the NGO giving away such equipments to the Jail when we ourselves are asking for donations ? 
Well there are always benefactors who have their mind to help different sections of society and they reading my messages get motivated to donate for a cause which helps our NGO to raise resources. 
I run 8 rehabilitation homes for the homeless and I seen how much facilities I provide to these homeless people including good healthy food and filtered drinking water in all our 8 homes . 
A jail is not as good as a rehabilitation home and I always wanted to do something for the Prisoners. 
And these two machines are connected to the Prisoners Welfare – FOOD & DRINKING WATER . 
Our NGO has planned many many Welfare programs for the Prisoners in this new year . 
For those who don't agree to my thinking of working for the Welfare of the Prisoners,  please excuse,  no offense and no hard feelings. 
For those who wish to be part of STREET PROVIDENCE PRISONERS WELFARE program in the coming year , either as a volunteer or a benefactor,  please get in touch with me through whatsapp on 8380097564. 
I always like to give back to Society especially 
” THE LAST & THE LOST “. 
Incase you are able to support this cause of this Automatic Chapati machine installed at Colvale Jail please do the needful. 
We operate strictly through whstsapp messages 
on 8380097564  so please avoid calling. 
God bless you so much 
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
15Jan/23

THE HOMELESS LADY INMATES @ STREET PROVIDENCE GOA THANKS GOVERNMENT OF GOA @ WOMEN & CHILD DEPARTMENT, PANJIM

Updates
15.1.2023. 7 PM IST
The homeless lady inmates @ Street Providence Goa thanks Government of Goa @ Women & Child Department, Panjim for releasing our state  Shelter Home Grant for the year 2021 -2022 , two days back .
This is the 3rd successive year that the Dept of WCD is funding this only one Home and we appreciate the support and concern shown by the Department towards our NGO @ this one shelter home for homeless street women. 
Last 2 years Grant was released by August .
This year slightly delayed due to technical issues from our side but finally we managed to convinced the Department to get us the Grant which was released.
I must thank Mrs Deepali Naik, Director of WCD for all the support shown towards our homeless women.
It's not that we  don't have issues with the Director but Madam Deepali has always defused the situation with her reassuring attitude ” Don't worry , I will do the needful “.
There has been times I have lost my cool and there are times that frustration have cropped in but never has Madam Deepali lost her nerves and retaliated back .
Always positive in her approach whenever one enters into her office is how I can describe Madam Deepali .
I must also thank the Womem & Child Secretary of Goa, Mr Arun Kumar Mishra , IAS., for listening to my grievances regarding the delay of this Grant and doing the needful, cheerfully and with a smile .
Thanks to the Deputy Director ( Admin ) Smt Jyoti Dessai for assisting in getting this Grant released and assuring to send this particular state shelter home Grant for amendment as the Grant was devised in 2006 and we are now In 2023.
Inflation and costs have risen drastically in the last 20 years .
Last I thank the following staff from WCD  :
Madam Sweta , CDPO & Madam Neha , for supporting us with the required paperwork. 
Working and meeting Madam Deepali Naik has made our NGO start 3 more homes for the homeless street women and women with chronic disabilities as everyone in Goa has been seeing the homeless increasing in the last few years.
1.4.2021 we started our 2nd home and we are expecting this Grant also as its now Jan 2023.
Sept 2022 we started 2 more shelter homes for women and both were innaugrated by the Director. 
With Madam Deepali Naik as the Director I can say with confidence that she thinks and understands  ” the issue of homeless women on the streets and those women abandoned with chronic mental disabilities “.
It's always good to have a Director who understands the problems on the ground and the problems the NGO is facing .
We really appreciate the Government of Goa @ the Women & Child Department Panjim for addressing the issues of homeless women on the streets and supporting the shelter homes through the financial grants. 
But this is only a small % of what is being given. 
More needs to be done by The Government of Goa and done quickly as the situation is slowly but surely increasing of men , women & children on the streets of Goa .
God bless you so much 
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
14Jan/23

THIS ELDERLY GOAN TAI KANCHANA HAS BEEN SLEEPING ON THE MAPUSA BUS STOP LAST 15 DAYS IN THIS CHILL AND COLD WEATHER

Updates
14.1.2023. 8Pm IST 
This elderly goan TAI KANCHANA has been sleeping on the Mapusa Bus Stop last 15 days in this chill and cold weather as they were thrown out of their home for not paying the rent. 
Son would do some work in the day and at night would go and give her some food and may be even stay there at night during these last 15 days.
The public utilities next to the bus stop is where they would have a bath and wash their clothes. 
Has some wounds on her legs which can be due to the mosquitoe bites she incurred while sleeping on the bus stop and surely she has been scratching her legs .
Goa Police @ Mapusa Police Station spotted the Mother & son duo late night and requested us to help which we did the nexy day as their medical examination was to be done. 
Lady is approx 70 years old, goan by birth but poverty made them stay on rent.
Son disappeared from the mother the day we were ready to accept them and only the mother was brought by the Mapusa Police to our shelter home on 10.1.2023.
Any lady activists in Goa fighting for such poor abandoned ladies interested in taking up such cases ?
Can't blame anyone here but it's strange that in Goa our own GOANS are turning homeless and reaching the streets. 
And I am saying this last couple of years through my posts that the no of goans reaching the streets are rising and homelessness is on the rise. 
It's sad to see in a tiny State of Goa that the homeless and people with disabilites are rising.
But something needs to be done quickly as the homeless are rising and there are not many ladies homes to take in these ladies free of cost.
If a very small NGO like us can look after 160 + homeless street people free of cost then its also possible for other homes to take in such poor homeless people. 
We require your help and support as we fight eradication of ” HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS “.
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
13Jan/23

THIS MAHARASHTRAIN MAN WAS SLEEPING AT A BUS STOP IN CHICLALIM, AIRPORT ROAD FOR MONTHS

Updates
13.1.23. 7 pm IST 
The joy of being loved and cared for is in this old man smile and expression which one can see in this 1 minute video attached. 👇👇
Late 2021 , this Maharashtrain man was sleeping at a bus stop in Chicalim, Airport Road  for months and that was his home .
I remember that quite a no of people called me to pick him up and I sent the team once but he ran away.
Vasco police was then contacted and finally he was handed over to us .
Quite unclean, claws like nails , huge beard , very weak , severe depression is what I can describe of him.
Never ever spoke but understood what was told to him .
Treated at IPHB and was taken regularly for evaluation and follow up every month. 
Today he spoke for the 1st time and that means he is coming back to his senses and he is getting out of depression .
And if you see the video of 1 min, YOU WILL SEE THE JOY ON HIS FACE THAT HE SPEAKS A LANGUAGE WHICH THE CARE GIVER SPEAKS & that raises his confidence level.
We feel proud that Ramdev / Ashok is getting back to normal. 
No one will know how long he had wandered away from his home , how he ended up in Goa , how much suffering he went through being homeless and sleeping on the streets , etc. 
But now that's all the past .
Ramdev / Ashok is on the road to recovery and the very fact he is speaking is a huge achievement for our caregivers and team members who have put in alot of effort to get him out of his depression and troubles. 
I still can't belive we actually got him off the streets and into our home.
It took alot of trouble to stablise Ramdev / Ashok but the effort bore the fruit .
He must be 65 to 70 years and at this age one can imagine where and how he can end up if not rehabilitated. 
This service is easy if ONE HAS A LIKING FOR THE HOMELESS & PEOPLE WITN DISABILITIES. 
We @ Street Providence don't consider what we do as a Favour but rather a SERVICE TO THE LAST & LEAST .
God bless you so much
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
11Jan/23

DEPRESSION , STRESS, ANXIETY , REJECTION, ABANDONMENT, ETC ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS WHICH LEADS TO HOMELESSNESS AND LATER ON SUICIDE.

Updates
11.1.2023. 8Pm IST
Depression , stress,  anxiety , rejection,  abandonment, etc are some of the factors which leads to homelessness and later on Suicide.
This young goan married lady went through all this and to an extent even burnt herself slightly.
Not posting any of her pictures of the past as she was miserable and totally unclean. 
But attached a 1 min current video of her👇👇
Married a man from MP and he just disappeared two years back with no communication and no trace of himself. 
He brother in law took her in along with her mother but the situation got so bad that all fights and that too with knives as she refused to take daily medications. 
Bro in law has a small child who would get traumatized and many times this goan lady would walk out at night and police would find her and call the bro in law & mother and the same story .
Goan lady reached a stage where she would just be loitering outside the casinos in panjim hallucinating that her husband works there and would be living and sleeping right on the streets of panjim which could and can be highly dangerous for a woman.
Late Sept 22 , PSI Mr Sanket @ panjim police station called me 9pm asking to help. 
Same night till about 1am I was physically in IPHB getting this lady admitted. 
Admission is not what we stopped at .
After a month of  follow up and inquiring about this patient , her mother got her admitted into our Shelter home. 
In the last 45 days,  big improvements in this goam married abandoned lady. 
We had to take a lot of trouble once she was brought to our home as she wanted to go and stay with her husband. 
Video in konkani says it all.
Today Much cool and calm .
Does alot of light work and takes her medication daily. 
But with medication and nutrition and company of other women in the home surely she will get much more better today.
This is the sad state of goan people suffering from mental disabilities and if not addressed in time leads to suicide. 
The support system of shelter homes for poor people suffering from mental disabilities is very negligible or next to existence and if not addressed on a war footing can spiral out of control. 
What is the future of such abandoned goan people ?
If medication not administered in time can lead them back to their old habits .
We need more shelter homes and more lady care givers to address the issues of homeless ladies suffering from mental disabilities living on the streets of Goa .
It's time all women activists get into this service of starting atleast one shelter home for the poor homeless women suffering from mental disabilities .
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848