A cupboard on the Chogm Road , Sangolda , Goa, where you can pick a book for your children as well as yourself 

STREET PROVIDENCE GOA , is attempting to create a reading habit both for children and adults . 

With the current situations prevailing over two years now , most of us, both kids and adults might be only on the phone. 

To bring about a small change , our NGO will be  installing a small cupboard on a trial basis on coming Wednesday,  which will hold daily Newspapers , few magazines and books to read . 

We have associated and asked help from Goa's leading book library from Panjim whose Trustee will get inaugurating this Cupboard on Wednesday at 4pm and they have willingly obliged. 

Let's wait till Wednesday to know the name of the library . 

This cupboard is situated on my compound wall at Sangolda between the food bank fridge and the water taps. 

The Cupboard will be open from 9 am to 6 pm. 

The water taps are open from 9 am to 6 pm 

The fridge is open 24 hours for any one to drop their extra food . 

With over 100 homeless people currently in our homes and the new home almost ready at Quepem,  our strength will be closed to 200 people,  these newspapers , books and magazines may just be the source of learning and pass time to our people in our homes . 

Most of the times our people in our homes are either sitting and talking or just eating and sleeping. 

Mind you , 80% of our people in our homes are suffering from Disabilities. 

I understand through my little experience that light reading material will play a part in their ability to start thinking again once they see pictures and turn pages . 

It's a trial basis for me to bring a change in those who are totally lost from this world due to their disabilites. 

We will also be trying to use this idea to convince others to install such cupboards in other parts of Goa and support will be given to either get books in the cupboard and for rotation of books. 

I am sowing a small seed through this 1st cupboard and rest I leave to The Almighty . 

We will be updating our inauguration part on Wednesday and a small message from two well- respected people who are doing alot for a long time in Goa, to inculcate the habit of reading . 

Our NGO primary focus is rehabilitation of the homeless street people both men & ladies. 

Which we are doing last 4 years. 

Support us in whatever way you can. 

Come partner and support our NGO. 

We offer you 50% exemption under 80G on your donations. 

Donations only through cheque /NEFT along with your pan card copy . 

Website : https://streetprovidencegoa.com/ 

Facebook : https://m.facebook.com/foodbankforthepoor/ 

https://www.facebook.com/streetprovidence/ 

Twitter : @streetproviden1 

As usual strictly no calling , only thru WhatsApp on 8380097564. 

God bless you 

STREET PROVIDENCE GOA,  runs 2  free shelter homes for the homeless street women and women suffering from mental and  physical disabilities. 

☆☆ The first Shelter Home  in mid 2018 , supported by FMCK nuns who have collaborated with us . 

This Shelter Home located in Calangute is funded by the State Government and a total of  10 women  are cared for here which can be extended on emergency basis to 15 max but only for a few days . 

FMCK nuns have been doing a wonderful job in providing care and rehabilitation to these street women through their care givers . 

The second Shelter Home is a matter of grave concern. 

Street Providence has yet to get some financial support from the State or Central Government despite applying and submitting all relevant documents which to the best of our knowledge are approved and that is the big disappointment . 

With elections round the corner, the respective Department seem to have no time to be concerned about the welfare of 18 such homeless women in this Shelter Home. 

Very very disappointed that Women in responsible positions, who have the  power to help the Homeless  are  washing their hands off this Shelter Home with empty excuses & promises. 

Attached is a list of Homeless, needy women cared for in both our Women's Shelter Homes. 

Of these woman : 

▪︎1 is from West Bengal . 

The second home was started in April 2021. 

See the mix range of women including the age group and other disabilities and understand how complicated and difficult for us to look after such complicated cases . 

Caring for homeless women is more difficult as compared to men and I being a man at times, find it very very difficult to deal with the pathetic cases of women asking for help. 

The alarming situation is the increase in the number of   ” PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ( PWD) who are  HOMELESSNESS / ABANDONED ” and no one is doing much about this . 

General homes which look after the old and  aged are full and there is a big scarcity of caregivers and labour to run these Homes. 

As a result a few have shut down and many can / might  be shutting down in the coming few years. 

And none of these homes are free as they are not Government funded so obviously they have to charge fees to sustain the operation. 

NGOs like us  are trying to fill this gap by providing free services to homeless women  & men who otherwise would be on the roads and streets. 

Even big hospitals and institutes have many many abandoned people residing there for many months and few years . 

The Government needs to be more supportive with timely grants. 

On one hand  officials say ” Homes/ Ngos  are not applying for grants “. 

But on the other hand ” Grants are not released quickly and it is not possible in Covid to repeatedly visit covid officials for the release of Grants as it is a never ending saga of promises and excuses”. 

Also at times,  officials wait……. MAY BE for a BOX OF SWEETS, and  only then  will they  move. 

My own bitter experience : 

Two years  2018 – 2019 , 2019 – 2020 , a particular Central Government scheme for homeless women was advertised costing more than Rs 2 lacs in advt cost . 

In December 2020  we were invited to apply for this scheme for two homes : 

1 in North Goa and  1 in  South Goa . 

We complied in toto only for north . 

South till date no one has applied. 

It's now 2022 and in 2 days  the Code of Conduct will be enforced and will go on for  another 4  months. 

It like 17 months and yet no one knows when it will be sanctioned. 

So this budget has been unutilised for 3 accounting years ……..and I wonder if this is okay with the officials!!!!! 

The 3rd wave has begun and where do we expect homeless street women to go ? 

We are in the process of starting another home in South Goa to take in another 20 ladies provided there is Government support. 

But without Government grants it's very very difficult and that is a big big disappointment. 

Our main shortfall is ” we are not politically connected and as a result the wait  is killing “. 

Prayers and Blessings are my only solution . 

I pray that the 4 lady officials who are in a position to process Grant's to the Women's Shelter Home could have done much more for these 18 homeless ladies.  

Do they feel  the pain and troubles of these homeless women as they go back to their comfortable homes? 

Do we know who will be abandoned by their own families and be homeless? Because only then one will understand such issues and real pain . 

I have experienced being near homeless,  near hungry , unemployed,  sick,  penniless,  desperate so its easy for me to relate to such matters and freely write without fear of anyone. 

Some reading my posts may feel it's a bit harsh , rash or I am straight forward , but feel free to accompany  me and my team to the streets, come and sit our homes , visit institutes and hospitals and bring along  a couple of handkerchiefs and a small bucket too, as I guarantee you there will not be a dry eye after listening to and seeing the conditions of Street people. 

And then judge me for the post. 

In conclusion, I must mention that last New Year we started on a sad note when we were forced to moveout of our South Goa home and this New Year –  Grants that were due to be released before the Code of Conduct for 18 homeless ladies is being with held despite all conditions being adhered too. 

Rest I leave you to understand what I should do or what would you do if you were in my shoes . 

Our NGO primary focus is rehabilitation of the homeless street people both men & ladies. 

Which we are doing last 4 years. 

To eradicate Homelessness in Goa is my priorty . 

Support us in whatever way you can. 

We offer you 50% exemption under 80G on your donations. 

Donations only through cheque /NEFT along with your pan card copy . 

Website : https://streetprovidencegoa.com/ 

Facebook : https://m.facebook.com/foodbankforthepoor/ 

https://www.facebook.com/streetprovidence/ 

Twitter : @streetproviden1 

As usual strictly no calling , only thru WhatsApp on 8380097564. 

God bless you 

24.12.2021  6pm IST 

Most of us who celebrate Christmas,  decorate our homes with decorations , lights , etc. 

In this post , our NGO lit up a poor Goan lady home , by providing her a new electrical connection on 22.12.2021 . 

Attached a 3  min video 👇

Part Konkanni & part English 

A Dialysis patient with two children and a husband who is not fully fit to work . 

Woman works in Palolem doing some manual work and stays in Poinguinim which is approx 

15 kms one way and she travels by bus . 

Struggling with many issues in life she built her own house 2 years back but her health failed her. 

Our Volunteer, Mrs Sharon from Chaudi , who runs a small garment shop,  has been distributing dry ration and other items to approx 30 such families across various villages in the Taluka of Canacona for over 1 year now . 

Akshata got in touch with Sharon last year in the month of December 2020 and we started helping her . 

She can only charge her phone when she goes to work, so communicating with her is like dialing the Astronauts in Space or the mountain climbers on Mount Everest . 

Infact her daughter has missed her 9th std clases last year , and left school,  as it was online only and there was no electricity to charge the phone and also no IPhone as Mrs Akshata has a simple phone. 

And no one knows when Akshata goes to work and when she is not well as there is no phone and no electricity to charge the phone at home . 

For many months I am told she was so sick that she has been in and out of hospital due to complications in her body . 

♡♡ But all Thanks and a big Pat to Sharon who from October 2021 , has been consistently chasing this lady :

Our NGO paid for all this right from scratch till the electricity was installed on 22.12.2021. 

We covered the :

But it's was Sharon & her husband who spent alot of time , energy , sweat,  going from here to there , etc just to get the job complete . 

On top of that I was putting pressure on Sharon to see that the connection was released well before Christmas. 

For Sharon & myself,  this is Christmas. 

We went out of our way , not on our ABILITY but on our AVAILABILITY for Mrs Akshata, to see that her house has electricity after 2 years of being built . 

I went there only once last year . 

No hype , no much publicity, no fancy video but only our commitment to STEP OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE TO MAKE OTHERS LIFE COMFORTABLE. 

For moving the paper work without any hassle and trouble, as usually we feel that everyone is just asking for a bribe to clear paperwork. 

These 3 officers were really kind , considerate and very helpful inspite of being occupied with so many other works as Election fever is on and Christmas is around the corner . 

If you wish to help this lady with house hold equipment , basic furniture or any other way please let me know. 

It's best to take a trip to her home, to see the lovely country side of Canacona as well understand how blessed we are in our confortable homes while many such goan people may be struggling, for no fault of theirs. 

If you know any such poor goan families struggling for such basic amenities especially electricity please let me know . 

We will study matter and surely help provided all documents are in proper order and there are no land disputes. 

Website : https://streetprovidencegoa.com/ 

Facebook : https://m.facebook.com/foodbankforthepoor/ 

https://www.facebook.com/streetprovidence/ 

Twitter : @streetproviden1 

As usual strictly no calling , only thru WhatsApp on 8380097564. 

God bless you 

We take a short break and will restart our work on Monday . 

Enjoy and be happy. 

It's Christmas.

Shri Sreedharan Pillai ji ,  hands over a Grant to our NGO for our 5 shelter homes . 

And a big one. 

Patience is a Virtue . 

Definition: The ability to wait for something without frustration is a useful skill and a good aspect of one's personality. 

Three months back , in mid Sept, 2021, 

The Honourable Governor of Goa , had announced Grants to institutions like old aged Homes,  orphanages,  shelter homes etc to celebrate the 71st birthday of our Honourable  Prime Minister of India. 

An application with the necessary information was sent by our NGO  within two days . 

Subsequently we were called  to the Raj Bhavan to discuss the modalities for receiving the Grant at the hands of the Hon. Governor. 

However on  9th Oct 2021, Grants were distributed at a solemn ceremony at Raj Bhavan but we were not in that list. 

In Mid November, the  Secretary to the Honourable Governor visited one of our Shelter homes at Assnora to  see for himself the work of rescue and rehabilitation undertaken . 

Assonora Shelter Home is home to the  most complicated medical cases – physical and psychological ! 

But was selected as the other 4  Shelter Homes are small and it would be difficult to accommodate the Governor and his entourage. 

But the approach road to Our Assnora Home posed a problem – unmotorable especially  for a dignitary like The Honourable Governor . 

In addition, approximately 1 km of the road is non existent with only a dirt road to travel on.  

Too many obstacles and our NGO was not sure if we will get this grant or even if His Exvellency  The Honorable Governor would  visit our  Shelter Home . 

Social Media abounds with news and photographs of other NGOs having received a Grant of Rs 1 lac each.  

This feels awful. We have received nothing . 

But the surprise is just round the corner! 

On 16th Dec 2021,   STREET PROVIDENCE  is invited to the  Raj Bhavan , and The Honourable Governor of Goa , handed over the Grant ! 

But not Rs 1 Lac ……… but much much more than that . 

I was shocked and am still yet to get over this grant . 

Very gracious and kind of THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOR OF GOA, Shri Sreedharan Pillai ji to release this grant to our small NGO. 

STREET PROVIDENCE is  the youngest and the smallest  NGO in Goa & one of the last to get this Grant on the occasion  of the 71st birthday of our Honourable Prime Minister of India , Mr Narendra Modiji. 

We are thrilled and excited at this recognition. 

And that's not all – The Honourable Governor of Goa , invited our NGO along with many other NGOs to The Raj Bhavan today , 23.12.21 for a small function followed by lunch . 

This proves the maxim that……….

Those who are 1st will be last &

Those who are last will be 1st . 

I thank God , that being a person who is Work In Progress ( W,I.P) regarding PATIENCE,  I did not loose hope during this entire waiting period from applying for the Grant in Sept 21 to receiving the Grant on 16.12.2021. 

The Honourable Governor of Goa , has really been Very  Very Generous to our NGO , inspite of not visiting our Shelter home . 

Hard work counts and counts much at the right time. 

Looking forward some day to meeting 

The Honourable Governor of Goa, with an appointment,  to present to him the work we do in Goa and the issues faced by our NGO whilst  working  consistently towards eradicating Hunger & homeless in Goa . 

This post is to spread a message that ” I salute The Honourable Governor of Goa for recognizing those working for poorest of the poor “. 

It's not who got how much , but who is going out of their way and comfort zone to help those who require help. 

God bless you 

22.12.2021  7pm IST 

I take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you A Blessed and Spirit Filled Christmas. 

This year our NGO decided to celebrate Christmas more with those suffering from hunger , poverty and Homelessness 

This is what we did right from the start of December and will go till the year ends . 

☆ 1. We are feeding from 2nd Dec ,150 breakfast every alternate day in Guirim & Sangolda , which is supported by the members of SSVP, which will go on for a few months. 

☆ 2. A Old Goan Widow in Usgaon Dharbandora house was completely destroyed due to the floods and she received a grant from the Government to reconstruct her house which was insufficient. 

We adjusted / kept on hold a major work in our New Quepem home and that money we gave this widow. 

Our Quepem men atleast have a home , but this lady till 20 days back was desperate to get her house completed. 

It's getting completely I was told . 

☆ 3. We raised thru social media, gifts and resources for 212 Orphans across 8 shelter homes which is being sent out,  as we are yet to get a few items ( ordered but on the way). 

☆ 4. A new shelter home at Quepem for homeless men has been started which enables us to get off another 80 such men from the streets. 

    60 to Khandepar , flood affected for families 

    30 to canacona , to our poor goan families 

    10 to panjim , to daily wage goan families 

☆ 6. We brought electricity to the home of a poor goan woman suffering from Dialysis  in Poingonnim , Canacona , who is really sick and last one year has been in and out of hospital. 

Did new wiring , paper work , electrical equipment,  etc .  A to Z . Paid for by our NGO . 

Just now at 5 pm the connection was realized. 

☆ 8. A Very poor old lonely goan widow house in Guirim is being painted both inside and outside as it will make her feel bright and happy. 

Request came last night and work started today. 

☆ 9. But our focus will always be on picking up homeless street men only ( as In our women home we are overloaded and we can't take more ) and we will go on doing this service. 

And this is what we do ( the 1st four  ) round the year  365 days at our Ngo with the blessing of our generous benefactors. 

I may be writing this post and saying I / we / our Ngo is doing all this. 

No , it's you , our generous benefactors who are the ones who help us reach out to so many poor people daily across Goa . 

Once again I wish each and every one of you and your family , A very Merry , Spirit Filled,  Blessed Christmas. 

Website : https://streetprovidencegoa.com/ 

Facebook : https://m.facebook.com/foodbankforthepoor/ 

https://www.facebook.com/streetprovidence/ 

Twitter : @streetproviden1 

As usual strictly no calling , only thru WhatsApp on 8380097564. 

God bless you 

STREET PROVIDENCE TRUST GOA , yesterday  blessed and inaugurated our 6th home for homeless men @ Quepem . 

A home, big enough to hold 80 old, sick and men with disabilites . 

It was not easy to start this home. 

I saw this home some where in August 2021 , and was happy that this home would be a perfect place with our rehabilitation program. 

But my mind was playing tricks. 

Quepem is really far away from Sangolda . 

Besides the cost of upgrading it is about 

Rs 15 lacs . 

It's a pandemic , business is down,  etc . 

But something wonderful happened during 

Oct 4th to Oct 9. 

Bro Johnson  ( A Roman Catholic Preacher ) was conducting a 6 days retreat at Pune , and I attended all 6 days online besides downloading all the 6 days sessions on my phone. 

It was after this retreat  that I was inspired to go out of my comfort zone and do something in rural Goa . 

♡♡♡ Big thanks to numerous people starting with : 

♡ 1. SIMON , the owner of this building 

♡ 2. ORLANDO , who is our Volunteer who single handedly runs our Cavelossim home and who undertook all the work to get this home up and running .

♡ 3. AKASH PEDNEKAR , who has volunteered to be part of our organization and take full responsibility to look after these men & run this home as he is from Curchorem. 

♡ 4. To all the different people who worked and are still working to fix all the requirements of this home. 

♡ 1. Ssvp Navelim who donated an amount for more than one room 

♡ 2. Goans For Goa UK , who donated a substantial amount which was very generous of them and as a thanks giving , the entire 2nd floor will have a no. of rooms with Goans for Goa on that floor . 

♡ 3. Numerous other benefactors . 

We are still having another 8 rooms to be sponsored , incase anyone wishes to help us out. 

♡♡♡ Thanks to Fr Lucio who blessed the start of the renovation work on 17.11.21. 

Yesterday  Fr Rocky , SFX , was kind enough to bless this home in Quepem. 

Also thanks to 2 senior citizens from our Margao food bank,  Uncle Joe &  Aunty Sophie for cutting the ribbon. 

They took the trouble of traveling all the way from Margao to Quepem . 

Its Christmas season followed by the New Year , and we are determined to get off the streets ( on priority basis ) our own Goans who may be in Alcohol, lonely,  sick , old   abandoned,  etc into our homes and share that moment of belonging and compassion with such poor people, provided we can look after them . 

Thats Christmas for me . 

Still quite a lot of small jobs left to complete In this home but we will accept men from the streets with immediate effect. 

Upgrading of a closed home is not an easy task as many many issues get left out until the problems are highlighted by those using the home . 

Once again it's a big thanks to 

Mr ORLANDO MESQUITA from Benaulim for taking alot of trouble during the last one month to get this home up and running . 

Attached a video of the Home .👇

Our NGO primary focus is rehabilitation of the homeless street people both men & ladies. 

Which we are doing last 4 years. 

Support us in whatever way you can. 

Donate generously to our NGO. 

We offer you 50% exemption under 80G on your donations. 

Donations only through cheque /NEFT along with your pan card copy . 

Website : https://streetprovidencegoa.com/ 

Facebook : https://m.facebook.com/foodbankforthepoor/ 

https://www.facebook.com/streetprovidence/ 

Twitter : @streetproviden1 

As usual strictly no calling , only thru WhatsApp on 8380097564. 

God bless you 

It's the season of Giving & giving cheerfully . 

FOOD BANK & STREET PROVIDENCE GOA, is atempting to reach out to 212 children/Orphans  during this Christmas festival. 

I know how much it takes to bring a smile on poor homeless people who suffer from loneliness, rejection,  abandonment, pain & Hunger as I have many such in our homes 

But children are different for those who can read my mind . 

Last year too we reached out to these same children . 

We have 8 such homes housing boys & girls both in North Goa & South Goa. 

One boys home has 58 boys and they asked for school shoes which we purchased as they gave the individual sizes. 

For girls , the incharges asked for inner wear and under garments which we purchased. 

One home, required a fridge urgently which they purchased just last few days .

( they require to be reimbursed if possible). 

Various homes , who we called, requested for specific items which is in the poster attached with this post . 

You can purchase  from the list attached and give us and we can pick the same from you or you can send us your donations by Cheque/ NEFT . 

Before buying please confirm to avoid duplicity 

If any one wishes to donate and visit the homes and hand over these small token of love , along with your family & children pls let me know. 

But pls don't bring any old clothes , shoes , bags , etc as that's not what this post is about. 

It's the time to give and giving needs to be cheerfully and generously. 

If you wish to give anything besides the above plesse let me know . 

.

But no old clothes,  shoes , etc. 

Christmas is not the time to offload the wardrobe. 

God bless you & Have A Blessed Christmas 

Note : these messages are sent through a broadcast and reach thousands of well wishers and friends.

Today as a goodwill gesture , we donated a brand new Photo copying machine ( Xerox) to Mapusa Police Station , for all the support given in particular by this police station in the last 4 years to our NGO . 

♡♡ Thanks to Savio D' cruz , from Global Enterprises , Porvorim , who is a dealer for this brand, RICOH, who gave us a special discount and a very big discount as it was going for a cause plus credit facility . 

The discount was like get 2 and pay for 1. 

Good offer for a good cause only for our NGO. 

But why this machine and this police station ? 

Well for over a few weeks I am seeing in this police station, the Xerox machine has an issue and 100s if not thousand people enter this station. 

Image if you went to a police station to write a complaint and required a photo copy and were told to go out to get a photocopy and come back , what would be your reaction ? 

Especially if you were old , at no fault,  some one else had complained against you , etc . 

We will surely have grumbled , cursed , passed a few negative comments, etc . 

And this is a very big police station handling numerous types of cases including homeless street people. 

( NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS ON THIS POST ) 

If I can avoid such negative energy being released from so many people getting disappointed because the police station does not have a another Photo copying machine , then I am blessed. 

If this same photocopying machine can help the police with their numerous chargesheets and other police matters , then I am blessed . 

It's CHRISTMAS SEASON , and what better way to bring a small smile on 100s if not 1000s visiting this station. 

I had saved some money &  had decided to Paint my home this Christmas but on second thoughts I will skip the painting and pay for this machine . 

Our Ngo is not paying for this machine . 

From the time i decided to start rehabilitation of homeless street people in 2027  , this police station,  headed by then Dysp Mr Serafino Dias & PI Mr Tushar Lotlikar , went out their way to provide all help to the homeless In and around the entire Mapusa city & Mapusa SDPO. 

Extremely polite and understanding Inspector 

Mr Tushar. 

This is my personal view about him . 

Close to 175 such homeless people must have come through this one police station alone in the last 4 years. 

It's transfer time and we are not sure where the Inspector Mr Tushar will be transfered but we have seen how his entire team , consisting of 

Police Sub Inspectors , head constables and other staff have taken trouble to provide help to the homeless street people. ( I know it's their job, but usually such poor people are just shoved away) 

Today alot of his former staff are in other police stations and we see how they go out of their way to complete all formalities in quick time. 

Today , Dysp Mr Uday Parab , SDPO , Mapusa,  has promised to extend the same support through his entire 3 police stations,  towards the homeless street people in his jurisdiction as the no of homeless both Goan & non goans are increasing as tourist season has started. 

I have sone basic principle :

” 1st I should sow , then I will reap ” 

” Give cheerfully “

” don't ask why the government can't give , if I can help , I should do it ” 

Rehabilitation of the homeless is whose job ? 

You all know the answer. 

But we are consistently doing this work,  with no financial support as of today in any of our men's home from the Government of Goa and its okay . 

Its my giving back to Society . 

It's our calling to work for the poor homeless disabled street people be it Goan & non goan . 

All are children of God . 

No one should sleep on the streets. 

Ours or any rehabilitation program can't be running without the support of Police dept as they are the 1st contact for all the homeless. 

When you see a homeless,  the 1st thing you do is call 100. 

With not many designated homes for such homeless people , what can the poor police dept do ? 

They can't keep any homeless in the station as they are not criminals. 

That's where our NGO comes in . 

Of late, the support of the Goa Police is been slack and not very good . 

I understand there are too many protests , too many dignitaries visiting Goa,  too many politicians coming to goa for election purposes , covid over stress last 18 months , etc. 

This gesture is just a reminder to all Inspectors especially in the big cities of Goa , that we @ Street Providence are concerned about your police station but please get the actual homeless people off the streets especially the old , disabled,  sick , the women with small children. 

Our NGO is ready in this month of December to take in Upto 50 + men as its the season of CHRISTMAS. 

God Bless you always