LONDON
It was a unique and free international community charity event with a cause, as the Golden Goa Association in Southampton (GGAS) UK raised £1000 for Lar De Santa Terezinha, a girl’s and women’s orphanage in Pajifond-Margao, Goa at the 14th Feast celebrations of St Francis Xavier in Southampton-UK.
The ‘Goencho Saib’ event was organised by GGAS at Holy Family Catholic Church Hall in Southampton on November 30 from 3 pm to 11 pm.
Devotees of St Francis Xavier travelled from various parts of the UK, besides the diverse local community from Southampton, Eastleigh, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Swindon, Winchester, Ilford, Kent, London, Hayes, Southall, Reading and Harrow.
"The salient and unique feature of this annual event was that it was entirely free for members and guests due to the generous donations and sponsorships," said GGAS founder member and General Secretary RJ Roque Vaz.
“This year’s new committee is led by community volunteer President Sebastian D’Costa, along with Vice President Maria Assumpta Borges and Treasurer RJ Bihula Vaz. The new GGAS president coordinated and worked hard to bring everyone together with great success.”
GGAS is the premier voluntary organisation of the Goan community in Southampton and is a registered member of NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations in England).
CELEBRATIONS
UK’s top Goan band ‘Treble Makers UK’ was in attendance while popular DJ Richiee entertained with his special brand of dance music and special light effects.
The main hosting of the celebration and event conceptualisation was by RJ Roque Vaz, of Awaaz 99.8 FM’s ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ and Awaaz Community Radio Station of Sothampton was the Radio Partner. Vinod of Konkani TV did the social media coverage of the event.
Southampton Goan Community’s popular fitness celebrity and social media influencer Anjali D’Costa was the co-hostess at the event. Ciana D’Costa, who completed one year as an Advisory Councillor (Goan Origin) of the Portuguese community in UK and Ireland was the Guest of Honour.
The highlight of the event was the rendition of the popular Konkani hymn ‘Sam Francisku Xaviera’ in honour of the Saint, while Ruby Fernandes prayed the grace before meal in Konkani.
There was a special Santa Claus moment, as Allan D’Costa transformed into Santa Claus and distributed sweets while dancing to some Christmas music as the Advent Season begins. Fr Benjamin Theobald, parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Millbrook, Southampton, was a special guest at the celebratory event.
CHARITY
The GGAS once again chose ‘Lar De Santa Terezinha’, an orphanage for girls and women at Pajifond-Margao, as its charity of this year. A total sum of £1000 was raised at the event via Housie, special auctions and generous cash donations from generous event attendees during the event.
Dr Tracy Coelho, Dr Rochelle Coelho, Sebastian D`Costa, Ramona Salins, RJ Roque Vaz, RJ Bihula Vaz, Bosco Wangstone Dias, Ruby Fernandes, Polystar Plastics Limited from Southampton, Nadia Gracias and Bernardo Logan Pinheiro, Nivedita and Victor Roberts, Maria Assumpta Borges, Anjali and Allan D’Costa, Savio and Sandy Pires, Roger Pereira, Melissa Fernandes, Ralston D’Costa, Lovyna Soobhang, Sheldon and Swati Braganza, Vailankina (Vally) Cardoso, Sanjay Da Costa, Shaida D’Costa, Sandy Caiado, A. Fernandes, Anushka Ponniah and some well-wisher families gave substantial financial sponsorship which contributed to the success of the event in Southampton UK.
CONTESTS
Different contests were organised and the winners received attractive spot prizes. RJ Roque Vaz conducted the Bingo and was assisted by Melissa Noronha from Winchester.
Aloysius D’Costa and his wife Delicia won the prize for the best couple on the dance floor. Dina Desouza was adjudged as the most vibrant dancer and was felicitated by Fr Godwin Kambai, assistant parish priest at St Boniface Church, Shirley, Southampton, who also prayed for everyone at the event. Spot prizes were won by Dr Rochelle Coelho and Clay Lobes.
CUISINE
The buffet at the event consisted of seven starters, six main dishes, three side dishes and a choice of three desserts. All dishes were home-cooked and sponsored by community-minded individuals and families. The snacks included two varieties of vegetable samosas by Anushka Ponniah, chutney sandwiches by Alancy and Philip D’Costa, Onion Bhajias by Nathalie Sequeira, Rissoles by Victor Fernandes and Rita Borges and Chicken Wings by Aloysius and Delicia D’Costa.
The main culinary dishes consisted of Goan Pulao cooked by RJ Bihula Vaz at the venue itself, Chicken Biryani by a benevolent Goan family, Chilli Chicken by Vally Cardoso and Sanjay Da Costa, Chickpea Curry (Chonneacho Ros) by Rita Borges and Victor Fernandes, Beef Meat Ball Curry by RJ Bihula Vaz and she also prepared ‘Khotkhotem’, a Goan mix vegetable stew. William and Jenny Gomes from Swindon sponsored beers, wines and hard drinks.
COLLABORATION
A number of volunteers helped in the smooth organisation of the event. The early-bird volunteers who helped to set up and decorate the hall were RJ Roque Vaz, RJ Bihula Vaz, Nivedita Roberts, Maria Assumpta Borges, Sebastian D`Costa, Dr Tracy Coelho and Allan D’Costa.
Alancy D’Costa, Andrea D’Costa, Rita Borges, Dr Rochelle Coeho, Ramona Salins, Anjali D’Costa, Sanjay Da Costa, Vally Cardoso, Ralston D’Costa and Mikhile D’Souza volunteered at the event.
Aloysius D’Costa, Floyd and Maura Fernandes from Southall provided logistic support. Tony Vaz from London managed the bar counter and all the drinks were on the house.
Parish administrator at Holy Family Church Catherine Merrifield helped with the hall arrangements.
