Category Archives: Updates

12Oct/22

MEET MR. BADRA

Updates
12.10.22. 7pm IST 
Once a living wreck , hated by society,  rejected , abused but today he is a Normal human being just like you and me . 
Meet Mr Badra . 
Does any one last 5 years who stayed either in Merces or St Cruz remember about a metal bus stop right outside the junction at NIYAAZ restaurant ? 
Today the flyover has been built and that metal bus stop has been dismantled. 
Well BADRA home was in that bus stop prior to when we picked him up in early 2018. 
Photo attached of 2018. 
He used to walk up and down from that bus stop at st Cruz to Merces circle. 
And not just walking but In a March past style left right left right with his hands moving in tandem . 
He was so tanned with the sun that I can't express what he looked like . 
Anyway we took him in , got him examined at IPHB and put him on medication. 
But May 2019 he escaped and was back in the dirt and rubbish this time in Ponda. 
End July 2019 we were requested by Chetan & Viraj from Ponda to rehabilitate him. 
Picture attached along with that day post of how he was when we picked him up . 
This is that link of July 2019 👇 
And here we are 3 years from 2019 and close to 5 years from the time we picked him up . 
THIS IS CALLED REHABILITATION. 
We have cracked the difficult part of turning an animal like instinct to a human being. 
A perfect human being ( well not 100% back to normalcy but I can say he is 70% normal which is huge huge achievement for him and for us ) who today has a bath by himself, uses the washroom , eats in a plate, does all types of work assigned to him and shows no tendency to run away even without supervision. 
Last few months Sapnesh our operation manager has been sending him to my house to work and tells me see how Badra has improved. 
Watch the small video. 👇
Badra works alone and I am observing him though the CCTV cameras. 
He does not show signs of running away or getting a cigarette from the passerby or trying to get tobacco to chew . 
And not once Have we ever admitted him into IPHB . 
It's totally LOVE & CARE given to him by various care givers and our staff who have worked with us in the last 5 years . 
It's the FOCUS & PASSION to fight the impossible irrespective of the opposition and the current circumstances. 
Today our NGO has opposition from FSSAI Bambolim who is refusing to support wastage of good food in Goa. 
Of course we have made numerous trips to IPHB and purchased numerous medications which he is still on but the RESULTS are there to see. 
Usually you will find such UNCLEAN PEOPLE either just roaming around the streets or dumped in the mental hospitals which we too at times do as we are really over loaded at times. 
Today such services will cost a bomb in any paid institution as no one wants to do these services FREE and too for these type of Human beings . 
Our donations are taking a hit and its a humble request to support our NGO . 
Too many such people around in GOA both locals and non goans are loosing their mind and ending up like this man . 
We are trying to take in and help as many as we can but the running costs are killing the dream. 
But one thing I must admitt ” God has always inspired some benefactor at that right time to bless us during any financial crisis we go through “. 
Once again ” THANK YOU ALL OUR BENEFACTORS & PHILANTROPHY PARTNER for all the donations “. 
Also we thank WOMEN & CHILD dept , Government of Goa for funding one of our 4 ladies home for the last 2 years .( this year grant is not yet released but will be I am told ). 
If you find any such homeless unclean people in Goa let us know at STREET PROVIDENCE. 
FIND HOMELESS, THINK STREET PROVIDENCE 
As usual only through whatsapp message on 8380097564 , no calling please 
God bless you all 
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
11Oct/22

Hon. GOVERNOR SHRI P.S. SREEDHARAN PILLAI LAUNCHED A “FOOD FOR THE HOMELESS” PROGRAMME AT THE RAJ BHAVAN

Updates
11.10.2022. 7pm IST 
On 17th march, 2022, Hon. Governor Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai launched a “FOOD FOR THE HOMELESS” Programme at the Raj Bhavan whereby 100 freshly cooked meals would be given by Raj Bhavan to FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR, SANGOLDA weekly. 
Director of Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) was also present. 
Attached please find a video of the Programme and if possible listen with head phones. 👇
( Watch from 1 min to 4 min and see and hear what the Director spoke is actually what we are doing last 5 years ). 
Our NGO invited FSSAI Bambolim thinking that FSSAI Bambolim would do really something for the hungry and poor in Goa. 
But ABSOLUTELY nothing happened in the last 6 months from FSSAI BAMBOLIM end . 
Madam Director, FDA, spoke indeed very well at the function. She claimed that despite India being the largest producer of food “There is a large amount of hunger” and went on to add that “the percentage of hungry people are more”. 
Madam stated that FSSAI of which she is the head in Goa has started an initiative called FOOD SHARING ALLIANCE whereby excess edible food from Corporates, Food operators etc to be collected and distributed to the needy. 
This is all in the video. 
“Speeches and Talks don't feed stomachs but action on the ground can get food to the hungry” 
Here we would like to state that Madam, at your instructions FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR, SANGOLDA, is registered on the FSSAI Portal and are ready to pick up edible excess food from Corporates, Food Operators as informed to your Office. 
BUT FOR THIS TO BE A REALITY TO THE HUNGRY ……………… 
YOU need to bring all partners on the table together to work out the modalities of how this operation of FOOD SHARING will be conducted. 
You need to use your good offices and the powers vested in you to drag to the discussion table, the Corporates and Food operators who are daily throwing in the bin 5000 kgs of edible food. 
Six long months have elapsed, but no action is forthcoming. 
15000 persons to go hungry every night because of YOU & your Department for doing nothing on INITIATIVE of SAVE FOOD FEED FOOD inspite of this being an FSSAI INITIATIVE. 
5000 kgs of wet garbage increases daily because of YOU. 
And so many children go to bed hungry because their parents cannot afford a nutritious meal while YOU so callously permit 5000 kgs of food that tastes so good to be thrown in the bins. 
Madam, we at FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR, SANGOLDA, have met people who have not much to eat. 
We encounter children who are so happy to see our Food vehicles as they know that today will be a good meal. 
We have met parents who with tears in their eyes, express their gratitude for providing them food. 
So today, we humbly urge YOU……. Set the ball rolling, bring to the table the Corporates, the Food Operators, the eateries, the bakeries etc because FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR, SANGOLDA, is focussed on ending HUNGER in Goa. And YOUR letter to the Corporates and Food Operators can make it happen. 
RIGHT TO FOOD IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT – please do not stand in the way of this excess food reaching the bellies of the poor marginalised and impoverished persons and their undernourished children. 
ACT NOW FOR A BETTER TOMORROW! 
Inflation is rising , poverty has increased,  recession is around the corner and people are hungry . 
If no action still from FSSAI side then our next course will be :
☆ 1. Sit outside the FSSAI BAMBOLIM office for two hours silently as a protest, 
☆ 2. We will petition the Governor of Goa,
☆ 3. An PIL will be filed ,
☆ 4. We will also inform that PM & PMO that a very very good inniatitve suggested by the PM of India himself is being not implemented 
One thing please take note all : 
Our fight is not against any individual or institution but our fight is against :
HUNGER & POVERTY ,
DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT ,
WASTAGE OF GOOD FOOD ACROSS GOA . 
I have many many good friends who are good and respected employees of FSSAI BAMBOLIM and the only person who refuses to be my BENEFACTOR is the FSSAI DIRECTOR. 
Rest I leave to the Director to take a call . 
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
10Oct/22

GETS HELP TO THIS ABANDONED HOMELESS MAN WHO HAS PRACTICALLY LOST HIS MIND .

Updates
Today we celebrate World Mental Health Day . 
10.10.2022. 7Pm IST 
This post will surely touch many Doctors , nurses , staff. Police personnel and people who have visited GMC hospital last many months as we celebrate World Mental Health Day today . 
Street Providence Goa gets help to this abandoned homeless man who has practically lost his mind and was living for many months if not years right in the compound of GMC in a very unclean manner . 
Just last month of September he was spotted in a compound outside / at the entrance of a residential building behind Hotel Kadamba Ferns, old Goa . 
I can surely say this man has not walked from GMC to old Goa . It's impossible. 
The sad part is I too walked away from helping him many times as I too saw him in the vicinity of GMC as he was too violent as I waited for the GMC management to help him . 
But finally I just could not stop feeling that guilt of getting help to him permanently and last week our team picked him up and admitted him into IPHB for treatment and once okay he will be rehabilitated in our shelter home. 
It pains me that no one from GMC including the top brass got him off their premises into the IPHB which is just next door. 
Even the Police outpost @ GMC looked the other side. 
This man would whole day be sleeping in the lawn/ garden of premises and at night would be spotted at the temple in the GMC sleeping . 
A doctor from GMC who resides in this residential building behind Hotel Kadamba Ferns called me a few days back saying to please help In his rehabilitation. ( video attached)  👇
Old Goa Police was informed and they deputed their personal. 
The point to be noted here is ” we did not use the MAGISTRATE ORDER to admitt him but we admitted him directly as we reassured the IPHB that on discharge he will be taken to our home “. 
If the MAGISTRATE ORDER was taken then : 
1. The police on his discharge would allow him to go away and without medication he will be back on the streets as there are no government designated homes in Goa for such people to recover and rehabilitate . 
2. Since he might not be able to tell his address and details, he might be kept for a longer period of time which can be months if not years in IPHB itself as he was brought through the Magistrate Order by Police. 
But by our NGO admitting him, say within max 2 months once discharged from IPHB  , he can be stabilised further by rehabilitation at our homes where medication & nutrition will play an important role is his well being . 
Our personal experience with close to 15 such men in similar situations makes me write this . 
He will take atleast 2 full years to get back to 50% of his capacity but that depends on his medical part. 
Being in that situation as you see him In the video attached also could make him a patient suffering from TB as he is totally weak & malnourished.  This is my observation. 
But TB is curable and controllable and we have had many such homeless men before with similar symptoms of being mentally unsound and suffering from TB and we have taken them into our homes . 
At times we all just walk away with our own lives saying and thinking ” let someone else help “. 
In the coming days I will upload how such men living at bus stops , eating from dustbins , walking up and down the whole day for years,  today are back to being 75 – 80 % normal human being all because of timingly administering of their daily medication in our homes. 
Else it's a lost cause. 
Not an easy task handling such highly chronic and complicated cases day after day , month after month,  year after year but some one has to step in when the authorities close their eyes saying it's not our job . 
Our NGO has chosen this service last 5 years and we do exactly that ” helping the street people get off the streets ” especially those suffering from all types of mental disabilities. 
Your support is what matters . 
It can be prayers, good wishes , your donations or even just forwarding our posts so that incase there are other such cases in Goa we can be contacted to help . 
It's only through whatsapp on 8380097564 and no calling please . 
As the day ends let's get together in Goa and reach out to as many as possible who are suffering from any type of Mental disabilities. 
We can always take in as many as are there in Goa and on the streets suffering like this man . 
God bless you so much
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
08Oct/22

HAS BEEN RUNNING A FREE PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTRE

Updates
8.10.2022. 7pm IST 
DR. GAIL AND MRS. DITOSA MEMORIAL MEDICAL @ STREET PROVIDENCE SANGOLDA has been running a FREE PHYSIOTHERAPY centre for the last 
4 months with main focus on the homeless street people in our shelter Homes . 
We have treated 46 of our homeless street people by conducting more than 350 sessions. 
90% of homeless people come along with some sort of disabilities and sickness related issues. 
We have employed on board 2 Physiotherapist who are doing a really wonderful and excellent service of treating these people both ladies & gents. 
A lady Physiotherapist comes daily 9 am to 1 pm treating mostly lady patients & minor treatment required for homeless men . 
The Gent Physiotherapist comes 3 days a week 4 to 7 pm treating men whose issues are chronic and really difficult to handle. 
It's not an easy task for both these Physiotherapist to treat them as at times the homeless people are violent, stubborn, moody , aggressive. 
But the results are amazing and worth the trouble and effort . 
Complaints in the homes have reduced of the care givers as now these people taking Physio can have a bath by themselves, use the washroom alone, don't need to be carried around etc. 
We are also providing free Physiotherapy to anyone who is suffering from disabilities. 
Also any poor and deserving senior citizen is charged only Rs 100 per session. 
We also take appointments from people who can afford and the charges as a donation is only Rs. 300 per session of 30 min. 
By this way,  our overhead costs of running this Physiotherapy clinic can be reduced if we treat patients who can pay for the services. 
The main costs are Doctors Salaries , Electricity and basic medical requirements. 
Our clinic is fully air conditioned and we provide the same facility to the homeless person as well as the patient who pays . 
All are equal in our clinic . 
The homeless people are brought from our shelter homes at Assnora, calangute & Guirim. 
It's so much joy and pleasure to see how once men & women who had to Carried in chairs and stretchers are today able to stand, walk and do their own work . 
This is just the 1st such Physiotherapy clinic at Sangolda . 
We are keen to start another two such clinics in South Goa very soon . 
Rehabilitation of the homeless street people is not only now about food clothing shelter but also about the these homeless people suffering from various disabilities now getting medical attention through Physiotherapy and there by reducing those pain killers which earlier were given to kill the pain. 
We must the only NGO / Shelter home / old aged home in Goa having such a service and that too FREE for the old & disabled who are homeless. 
Their Pain is my pain and I don't like pain. 
Imfact in the last 1 month the Physiotherapist has put me on 30 min exercise which has completely cut off all my pains in my body. 
Just 1 year back exactly June 21 to May 22 , my Physiotherapy bill must have been close to 
Rs 60000 in total . 
Its to do with the stress and tension. 
So if you are going through any body pain , tension, stress , etc think of booking an appointment at our Physiotherapy centre at Sangolda. 
God bless you so much
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
07Oct/22

AS AN NGO DEPENDS 95 % ON DONATIONS FROM BENEFACTORS AND PHILANTHROPY.

Updates
7.10.2022. 8pm IST 
STREET PROVIDENCE GOA as an NGO depends 95 % on donations from benefactors and Philanthropy. 
To our Blessings we have never ever had issues with donations as Benefactors have always been generous whenever we faced financial issues. 
There are a few benefactors who are standing with us right from 27.5.2017 and that's amazing to go through the experience of benefactors believing the work you do . 
And majority of our benefactors have never met me . 
Well have you ever heard of or experienced a benefactor who has left this world still being a benefactor ? 
This post is to one such Goan lady . 
In early 2018 , an elderly couple from Porvorim came to see me with an appointment and was pleased to know what I was doing that time and what my future plans were. 
They assured their donation monthly which was full filled till June 2021. 
And regularly they would buy 1 kg vimal butter & 1 kg Vimal cheese which we would deliver home 
The elderly lady would often chat with me and send me messages and prayers etc. . 
During Covid they would not go out so the orders stopped but not the donation. 
It's was monthly fixed day through NEFT and I would send the receipt online . 
After the 1st wave in mid 2020, the lady said she was going to visit her daughter abroad . 
But suddenly in August 21 , I belive she expired. 
In between mid 2021 donation from her did not come and I assumed she must have stopped. 
Suddenly in Jan 2022, the donation started and as usual we were actually unaware from whom the donation was coming and we would whatsapp the receipt. 
But in June 2022 I realized the lady is not checking my messages as there is only 1 tick not 2 blue ticks. 
So I clicked in her DP and I was shocked that her DP had her smiling pretty face with her birth and death dates which was August 21. 
Now could there be a mistake ? 
I was trying to locate her family to apprise them of the donation sent to our NGO from her bank account. 
In the mean time I was aware and in touch on some social media platforms with her daughter whom I never knew was her daughter. 
Mean while her daughter one day got in touch with me in July 22 regarding a post for some donation of Rs 50 k and said I am so and so daughter and i would like to take care of the expenses put up on that particular post. 
I was surprised and was in two minds to tell her that her late mother is still our benefactor. 
But before I could tell the daughter,  one day one man called me saying this daughter has given me your no and asked me to send you Rs 2 lacs based on another post for renovating our 3rd women home at guirim . 
The man never knew me neither I know him . 
He sent the donation and that's when I told the daughter about her late mother donation being credited monthly to our NGO ac ( & also thanked her for the recommendation to this man.) 
She was surprised and Said she would check on it . 
The husband/ her father was the one operating his late wife account and that's why the donation was still coming but the account was in the late wife name. 
The daughter too ended up giving her donation of Rs 75 k . 
I mean which child would allow their late parent money to go an NGO ? 
I never asked the daughter any other details. 
But I know in my heart that the late mother & her husband had a special place for the work we do, both when they were alive and even after her death . 
That's the beauty of our NGO. 
We are able to perform consistently day after day, month after month, year after year . 
The lady believed me in 2018 when there was not much work to show but that fire and passion which I had when I met them in 2018 was enough to convince the late lady and her family that all our project are genuine and sincere. 
At times in today's date its very difficult to be a benefactor as most NGOs integrity is questioned. 
To all our current benefactors thank you for the support . 
To those benefactors who have discontinued, I understand and bless you . 
To those who would like to be my benefactor but still are in two minds about my integrity and commitment, please go thru my TEDX talk in May 2018 . 
Our focus will always be on rehabilitation of the homeless and poor people with disabilites as well as food banks . 
We still run the water tap. 
We have diversified into free Medical clinics for the homeless & the disabled. 
It's a dream to start FREE HOSPITALS in Goa for the poor and the impoverished which is taking shape slowly 
But the biggest DREAM is starting shelter homes across India and setting food banks across India. 
Come share our dreams by joining in as a benefactor. 
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
07Oct/22

ARE APPALLED THAT 5000 KGS OF FRESH EDIBLE FOOD IS THROWN IN BINS ACROSS GOA

Updates
6.10.2022. 7 pm IST 
Part 3 
We at FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR, SANGOLDA, GOA, are appalled that 5000 kgs of fresh edible food is thrown in bins across Goa, due  to the apathy of the Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Goa, the poor go to bed  hungry while edible food is binned thereby increasing  the wet garbage . 
On 18th April, 2022, we wrote to Hon. CM  of Goa about redirecting this excess food to Food Bank for the Poor, Sangolda. He promptly forwarded this letter to the FSSAI Director on 27th April, 2022. 
A letter dated 31st May, 2022, from the Director, FSSAI BAMBOLIM , copied to me and marked to 5 corporate/ relevant Association , informs them that FSSAI has launched the SAVE FOOD SHARE FOOD initiative to promote food donation.  
Attached here. 
Did the FSSAI received a response from the 5 corporate/ associations?  NO 
If no response is forthcoming, did they follow it up with a reminder / phone call?  NO 
Did the FSSAI make any tangible efforts to ensure food donation is happening?  NO 
Is the FSSAI really interested in food donation or is this letter just an eyewash?  Obviously you know the answer. 
On one  hand in Goa we have 5000kgs of edible nutritious food being binned while on the other hand are mothers and fathers who are unable to provide their children with 1 nourishing meal daily. 
( I am talking 1st 5000 kgs but its daily more than 10000 kgs of good extra food being wasted daily in Goa .) 
Why you ask? 
Well I also ask the Director,  FSSAI this same question. 
Why this apathy when you promised us the following in April, 2022 
☆ 1.  Two officers / staff would be deputed in both districts to go around meeting and explaining this initiative. 

☆ 2. All those from the food industry especially where bulk food is being wasted would be called together for a talk and they would be explained the initiative. 
This initiative was set up BY FSSAI  to save food from being thrown in the garbage . 
This Department has a website that proclaims saving of edible food and sharing with the needy. 
Hence, it is your job to make the SAVE FOOD SHARE FOOD  programme on paper a reality for the hungry , the impoverished and the malnourished. 
All Schemes / initiative/ ideas are well coordinated on paper, meeting are held and NGO's called to attend. 
But does any if this translate into edible nourishing food in the bellies of the poor? 
The ground reality is that nobody cares about  the poor, neglected,  people with disabilites , street people, etc. 
Here is an idea of how food collection  is done by us daily on a small scale last 5 years non stop 
Excel sheet also attached of this calculation. 
1. Our vehicle visits 3 institutions daily between. 2.30 to 4.30 pm with one driver . 
2. Total collected from these 3 institutions is an average of 100 kgs  to 150 kgs of food. 
3. 75 % of the food enough to feed 50 families is distributed in that area and the  rest is brought to the Food Bank base. 
4. In a month we collect 3750 kgs of food in this 1 trip which provides  close to 11250 meals . This operation costs us 
Rs. 45, 000 a month approx 
If  we multiply this by 33 such teams :
( 33 teams means 3 institutions per team ) 
So 33 teams x 3 institutions x 50 kgs food daily = 4950 kgs daily 
Per month 4950 kgs food  x 25 days = 1,23 750 kgs. ( 1 kg food is enough for 3 meals) 
Monthly a total of 1,23,750 kgs can be collected to feed 371250 meals at the cost of Rs 15 Lakh rupees. 
But the benefits far out way this cost as : 
☆ 1. 200 persons will be employed as each team requires 6 people to work together i.e. 
▪︎1 driver to collect the food 
▪︎1 kitchen helper to manage the kitchen 
▪︎4 volunteers to serve this food ahead . 

☆ 2. Wet garbage will be reduced by 1,23,750 kgs every month. 

☆ 3. Minimum salary needs to be paid as 5 hours if work is required daily, 25 days of every month 
Food Bank for the Poor, Sangolda has been collecting and redistributing food in a big way based on our budget through donations since the last 5 years. 
But our desire is to save every grain of food from finding it's way into the bin. 
To the powers that be at FSSAI BAMBOLIM,   FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR SANGOLDA is the only NGO who will work to collect excess food and prevent this mammoth wastage. 
FSSAI please  implement the initiative to SAVE FOOD , SHARE FOOD . 
And request institutions to pay for the services as we can't afford to collect all this food free and distribute it free 
Everyone thinks NGOs are making money . 
But look at :
No of jobs being created 
Tons of food being saved monthly 
More than 1/4 of a million meals fed monthly
And the environment being saved. 
And what I write here and attached in the poster is and has been explained to the FSSAI Officials at BAMBOLIM . 
So why should all this food be wasted ? 
Why is FSSAI not attempting to introduce their own INNIATITVE which is on their web site ? 
Why should poor people go to sleep hungry ? 
Why should the wet garbage dumps go on piling up . 
Please check the actual cost of treating 
123750 kgs of wet garbage In a month in a garbage plant ? 
And then see the projection costs that we are ready to save this food from reaching the garbage dumps. 
Where there is a will, there is a way 
See the work , the tons of food being saved,  the no. of meals being served,  the environment being saved and the saving to the government by tons of wet waste not reaching the garbage dumps. 
Rest I leave the FSSAI Director and her team to decide the next course of action. 
To be continued Part 4. 
God bless you
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
 
 
04Oct/22

HAS THE SUPPORT OF TWO IMPORTANT OFFICES IN GOA .

Updates
4.10.2022. 7Pm IST 
Part 2 
FOOD BANK FOR THE POOR,  SANGOLDA , GOA has the support of Two Important offices in Goa . 
1.  The Governor of Goa , who since the last  6 months  donates 100 freshly cooked meals every week to our Food Bank to be distributed to the homeless. This program which  was initiated in the presence of the FSSAI Director at a function held at The Raj Bhavan goes on till date. 
Below is the Link for that function 
2. We have installed 10 food bank fridges in different police stations to accept 24*7 extra food which various types of people deposit on these fridges.  Police stations come under the preview of the Home Minister ( That is the CM of Goa ). 
If our project was not worthy and unprofessional would these fridges be allowed in Police Stations by THE CM ? 
We wrote a letter regarding prevention of food wastage to Hon. Chief Minister who is also the  Home Minister of Goa. He was enthusiastic about it and marked it to Director, FSSAI, Bambolim, with a request to follow up. 
The Hon. CM of Goa & Hon.Governor of Goa are concerned about  the hungry and interested in channeling excess edible food to the hungry. 
But the irony is that the FSSAI , Bambolim which is the Department dealing with food just doesn't care. 
Why ? May I know? 
Daily  tons of food is thrown in bins,  our Food Bank is ready to solve the issue, need a little help from FSSAI to set the exercise rolling, but  officials of FSSAI,  BAMBOLIM, GOA,  dont seem to care. 
We are trying our best to redirect edible food to the bellies of those that need a nutritious meal. 
But our “rage” is now turning to “outrage” due to the ” I dont care” attitude of FSSAI Officials at enabling through their “indifference ” this criminal waste of good food. 
Every morning except Sundaybetween 7. 30 am to 8 am, since the last 2 years  our Food Bank team distributes breakfast outside the FSSAI BAMBOLIM office to the poor children whose parents are working on the construction site of the IPHB & for those patients whose relatives are admitted into IPHB. 
This outreach project has never been noticed/appreciated by any official from FSSAI . Feel free to verify this fact yourself. 
Are the officials of FSSAI even aware of this feeding project right at their door step ? 
Can any official of FSSAI BAMBOLIM see the plight of the poor and hungry right at their door step ? 
YOU have the power, so please use it to feed the hungry and the malnourished. 
YOU have the power, so please  stop tons of wet waste going into the garbage dumps in goa affecting the  Goa environment. 
STOP throwing the rule book at NGO's. 
STOP procrastinating. 
Because we at STREET PROVIDENCE will NOT STOP our crusade till you assist us in collecting all edible  food that is being  thrown out into the garbage. 
We will keep up our efforts to see  the officials of FSSAI BAMBOLIM  implement  the SAVE FOOD SHARE FOOD inniatitve which is your own INNIATITVE. 
Attached is a letter written to Hon.  CM of Goa and  marked by him to the FSSAI Director Bambolim to consider. 
We as an NGO are interested in ending “Hunger” in Goa. 
Treat us with respect please. 
Cooperate with us. 
Help us to help the hungry especially since our FOOD BANK Project is taking care of 4 birds in 1 stroke:
1. Saving tons of good food  daily 
2. Feeding thousands of poor people one meal.
3. Saving the environment and Earth from  excess wet garbage 
4. Providing employment to 600 plus local people 
( will explain in Part 3 which I will post next time). 
Please do prayer for wisdom and guidance to all the powers to be at FSSAI BAMBOLIM so that this project of saving food is taken up quickly as the Tourist season is about to kick off . 
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
 
 
 
03Oct/22

BRINGS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE TO THIS OLD HOMELESS HOMELESS GOAN MAN BY GETTING HIM OFF THE STREETS

Updates
3.10.2022. 7pm IST 
GOA POLICE @ PERNEM POLICE STATION brings a new lease of life to this old homeless Goan man by getting him off the streets and into a shelter home . 
STEREET PROVIDENCE accepts this old Goan man through Pernem Police station last week. 
Mr Agustine was spotted in and around Pernem in a unclean manner . 
Goan man but terribly DEAF & freaking CATARACT in both eyes which makes it although difficult for him and the care givers at the moment. 
There will be numerous trips to hospitals and doctors to fix his ears and eyes . 
Says he is from OLD GOA . 
But says has worked manual & odd jobs all his life in Pernem area and staying and living on the foot path of TUEM Village in Pernem Taluka . 
Sad state of affairs especially when u r old , blind , deaf and penniless & unwanted as he can't work. 
Keeps saying that he used to cut grass and worked in the field. 
We can't push him more than this as he really can't hear and he is weak and tired. 
Not sure how many days he has been living in that miserable state. 
Incase anyone recognizes him please do get in touch with us on whatsapp on 8380097564. 
No need to take him back he can stay with us but atleast when he kicks the bucket we can inform his family or relatives . 
Too many old Goan people are being abandoned on the streets as cost of living is rising and looking after the old is getting impossible for families who are poor . 
We @;Street Providence are ready to provide food clothing shelter medication hospitalization to live a decent and peaceful life  to any no of such poor and homeless people and once they leave this earth we conduct the funeral rites according to their religion, 
And it's all free of cost . 
Yes we collect donations ( so please understand that ) to run these 8  rehabilitation homes in Goa. 
It's very painful and disturbing at times understanding each such homeless life journey. 
Life just looks cruel to the old, poor , abandoned,  people with disabilites, hungry,  sick. 
But I don't get emotional and I don't get personally involved in their life journey as I can't tell if they are speaking the truth or not. 
I am just doing my little part on this journey here on this earth to the best of my capabilities. 
It's my availability and not my ability which drives me to do these services where my motivation level is very very high. 
You too can play your part by blessings us, praying for us or just forwarding our messages to your near and dear ones. 
We operate through whatsapp only on 8380097564 so please try not to call and waste precious time . 
Remember we need to find Agustine family . 
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
03Oct/22

COLLECTED CLOSE TO 10 TONES ( 10000 kgs ) OF FRESH EDIBLE COOKED FOOD IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2022 ACROSS GOA

Updates
2.10.2022. 8 Pm IST 
Part 1 
FOOD BANK FOR THE THE POOR , SANGOLDA, GOA collected close to 10 tonnes ( 10000 kgs ) of fresh edible cooked food in the month of September 2022 across Goa through our Food Bank Fridges and distributed to the impoverished. 
As Goa's 1st  registered FOOD BANK with a license from FSSAI , Bambolim, we save alot of wet food from being thrown out into the garbage thereby also reducing  wet garbage from reaching the garbage dumps. 
Despite our best efforts, a whopping 10,000 kgs ( 10 tonnes) of edible fresh food is thrown into the garbage DAILY  in Goa, 
FSSAI Bambolim is aware of this and yet no plan embarked upon to SAVE this food despite it coming directly under their preview. 
I have tried my best with the powers that be to prevent this enormous wastage – I wrote a letter to Hon. CM of GOA informing him of this wastage and the dertriment to the environment-  & CM marked this letter to Director of FSSAI Bambolim asking to look into the same . 
I have  submitted applications and emails to both the  FSSAI Director & the officer in charge  of SAVE FOOD , FEED FOOD inniatitve which is actually under FSSAI  – NO RESPONSE 
Disappointing but we will not give up! 
But inspite of no support from FSSAI Bambolim, this is where we got our 10000 kgs food for September2022 : 
☆ Panjim Police station Freezer : 1500 kgs 
☆ Mapusa Police Station Freezer : 1000 kgs 
☆ Other 8 Police Station Freezers : 1500 kgs 
☆ Sangolda CHOGM road Freezer : 1000 kgs 
☆ Creamux Bakery , Corlim : 1000 kgs 
☆ Colgate Factory , Kundanim : 1500 kgs 
☆ Deccan Chemicals factory,  Corlim : 500 kgs
☆ Private caterers who drop food at our shelter homes late at night : 1000 kgs 
We also receive daily 2000 parathas from a paratha factory of which 80% is consumables : 1000 kgs. 
All figures are authentic and can be verified at any point of time by just following our food van daily. 
Here I would like to mention that huge costs are  involved in :
☆ 1. Collecting the food 
☆ 2. Transporting to the base
☆ 3. Sorting and checking the food 
☆ 4. Sending the good food out to the hungry
☆ 5. Sending the leftovers to the Piggery . 
And this exercise has been operational 
24* 7  since the last 5 years . 
If not collected by us surely even these 10 tonnes would find it's way into the garbage dumps. 
Not “rocket science” , only empathy needed. 
Our mission to “End Hunger ” in Goa is what motivates us to save this food. 
Food Freezers are installed in Police Stations across Goa, open 24 *7  & public places in Goa. 
We  also accept food from caterers at our shelter homes and this is used to feed the homeless rehabilitated in our 8 shelter homes. In addition, through our volunteers this food is also shared with the hungry in Villages across Goa. 
400 +  breakfast & meals packets are purchased and served at two service points :
1.  Outside GMC & IIPHB, Bambolim. 
2. Parish of St Diogo Guirim – Sangolda , through SSVP members. 
Besides daily 100s of meals are requested by genuine people to be fed to the hungry across Goa and we oblige. 
That's not all…………. since the last 3 years, 100's of impoverished families across rural Goa are given dry ration packets worth Rs 1000/- . The cereals and pulses given are purchased from Gadvi Panjim . 
Covid 19 both waves our FOOD BANK gave away rs 60 + lacs worth of Dry Ration across Goa . 
My BIG DREAM is  to collect  daily  10,000 kgs of excess cooked food across entire Goa and feed 30,000 people through my team  of 400 volunteers . 
The lackadaisical attitude of FSSAI, Bambolim is frustrating. 
And why this attitude? 
Since the  last 5 years we have in place a well  oiled, systematic, registered and well set Food Bank Program and the Government refuses to step up its act  to reduce food dumped in  garbage in Goa . 
Their cooperation could well reduce the amount of  wet garbage across Goa by 300 tonnes every month through the SAVE FOOD,  FEED FOOD initiative under FSSAI , CENTRAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE. 
My urgent plea to  FSAAI Director & her team ——- please take cognizance of this waste and our willingness to collect this food if you will direct/ instruct all Canteens/ Eateries/ Corporates etc to keep aside their extra edible food for us. 
By a simple stroke of your pen, you can provide edible food to 30, 000 impoverished persons and reduce wet garbage by 10, 000 kgs. 
But please call these stake holders for a meet rather than making me go around introducing this concept which is actually not my job . 
I guess the spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak as Director & the team @ FSSAI Bambolim promised me alot of support in this regard but no action yet! 
God bless you all 
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848
28Sep/22

I POST MY AMAZING EXPERIENCE WITH AN IAS OFFICER

Updates
27.9.2022  7pm IST 
Today I post my  amazing experience with an IAS Officer who through a simple request made by him to the necessary authorities empowered the underprivileged  for life.
This IAS officer is none other than the former health secretary of Goa , Mr Y.V.V.J. RAJASEKHAR, who has now been transferred. 
After a person is rescued from the streets , they are admitted into a Government Hospital if needed  before entering the Shelter Home. 
Most often, due to their poor health conditions they need to be readmitted  periodically until they achieve optimum health.
But readmission poses a problem as the hospital insisted that an attendant be kept with every resident readmitted 
Street Providence has approximately 150 residents and on any given day 5 to 6 residents are admitted in the 4 Government Hospitals across Goa. 
Is it possible for us to provide all the 6 sick residents with attendants 24×7? 
We tried explaining this to the hospital authorities, to no avail. The policy of “No attendant, no admission ” posed a big problem for us.
Since the past 4 years I personally have been trying to explain this to many many important people who just refused to understand this issue. 
One doctor once even told me ” let the homeless rot in the hospital but your request will not be accepted and will not be entertained “. 
Unfortunate and sad…..but I did not give up.
I met Mr Y.V.V.J. RAJASEKHAR one day. He  listened to my difficulty, understand the detrimental effect this would have on the health of the homeless and instructed   two Directors from Two departments to implement orders . 
Through Mr. Y.V.V.J. RAJASEKHAR's request , the former Director of Directorate of Health Services , Dr Ira  issued an order benefitting our NGO ,  & the homeless abandoned in government hospitals. 
Mr Rajasekhar's kind deed impacted  the lives of many many abandoned and sick homeless street people who now could avail of treatment in all government hospitals in Goa.
Many people often ask me how do we manage daily to get off so many sick and homeless people of the streets and from various hospitals? 
Well the answer is……we do so due to the concerted efforts of empathic Officers like Mr Rajasekhar.
It is a herculean task  for a small NGO to accept 12 to 15 homeless people from hospitals month after month and this is now possible because of  the support  from the Health Department. 
Today alot of government hospitals call us and request us to rehabilitate those persons abandoned in hospitals which we do  willingly. 
When we need to re-admitt them , these homeless are taken in without an attendant. Once treated,  we re-admitt into our shelter home. 
Today we @ Street Providence are happy to provide care and rehabilitation to many homeless street people and migrants abandoned in hospitals who on discharge have nowhere to go and would just not make it if there is no rehabilitation Home for their recovery. 
Usually IAS officers are available to Ministers , MLAs , politicians & Head of Departments / Directors .
If  IAS officers  listen and resolve   requests from genuine NGOs who are working for the interest of the poor in the state as in this case , the homeless once discharged can find their way into our rehabilitation Homes, thereby freeing  the hospital beds for others who are in real need of medical attention. 
Kudos to Mr Y.V.V.J. RAJASEKHAR. 
Tomorrow we are accepting 4 such homeless street men from district hospital and  its not a big deal to us as we are reassured that incase we can't manage them,  the district hospital will support us in providing medical  care
Looking forward to meeting the New Health Secretary shortly to help  solve orher issues concerning the homeless and the hungry in Goa .
.
Let's all say a small prayer in thanksgiving for good health and long life to Mr Mr Y.V.V.J. RAJASEKHAR in his new assignment. 
God bless you all
Donald Fernandes 
8380097564 / 7020314848