A short perspective by Mrs. Acaria Almeida

Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2008 15:23:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Pinto <georgejpinto@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Goanet] Toronto Goan Convention

A short perspective
by Mrs. Acaria Almeida, Treasurer, Goa Sudharop

A reflective question as a delegate who attended the convention: What were our take aways from this convention? My hope is that all delegates ought to have left the convention with more food for thought which will translate into fruitful action. What can each of us, either individually or as a group, from every nook and corner of the Globe, do for Goa? First we must begin with ourselves, then our families, then the immediate communities we live in, and then of course Goa. This ought to be the expat focus.

My family and I left with more friends and ideas from this Convention. Upon our return to California, Goa Sudharop has committed to the following in addition to its other volunteer work:
1. Sponsor Fashion Design workshops for the young and booming talent in Goa in co-ordination with well-known fashion designer Wendell Rodricks who we met at the convention.
2. Sponsor environmentally-friendly Natural Dye projects (also with Wendell) to help poor and village women in Goa.
3. Sponsor the USA distribution of the book "GOA, of Sun and Sand", a thoughtful and serious look at Goa's tourism, by Goa-based Valerie Rodrigues.
4. Organize an awareness day in California to promote some of the challenges facing Goa and how expat Goans can connect to the motherland.
5. Initiate a program so young Goans who have never been to Goa, can visit and discover their Goan idenity on their own.
6. Spread information on current land-abuses in Goa as indicated by architect Dean D'Cruz during his excellent presentation at the convention.
7. Support Goan wild-life activists and environmentalists like the young Clinton Vaz whose presentation was shown at the convention (he could not attend).

I am pleased to write we have already begun action on each of the seven ideas above. To all those in Toronto and elsewhere who wish to support Goa financially, you are welcome to channel your financial support through Goa Sudharop (click on the DONATE button - PAYPAL) on the Goa Sudharop website, www.goasudharop.org.

Please accept my deepest thanks and appreciation to the Toronto Convention organizing team for doing an amazing job in bringing great quality and content to this convention. The cultural flavor took us back to our roots through the Tiatr and Mando Mogi's performances. We are very grateful for this rich and entertaining experience the convention made available to us.

Also, thanks to the ALL the doers. Those who made time, at personal cost and hardship, to organize the workshops and events which Filomena has written about in detail from a doer/activist perspective.

May you sail on Goan winds and soar and touch the sky.

Thank you Toronto.