Located in an old Portuguese house and managed by a young English tourist, a Children’s home in Peddem-Mapusa has been striving to teach young children to stand on their own feet and walk tall in society.

Moved by the plight of the underprivileged children in the State, Robert Lyon (35) decided to set up the ‘Children Walking Tall’ foundation at the Mango House in Peddem-Mapusa.

“It all began five years ago when I was moved by the plight of the children in Goa, whenever I would visit Goa during my holidays. After consulting friends and well-wishers, I decided to start ‘Children Walking Tall’,” recalled Lyon.

He purchased an old house at Peddem and managed to renovate it purely on donations. “Today, this house takes care of around 50 children who are managed by volunteers from abroad and eight local staff,” explains Lyon.

The main objective of ‘Children Walking Tall’, as the name suggests, is to make children stand on their own feet and walk tall in society.

To achieve this, children are encouraged to pursue education. After school, children visit the ‘Mango House’ in the afternoon. They are then served lunch, before teachers take up their homework, encourage them to play, teach them personal hygiene and discipline. The session ends by about 5 pm, when children are dropped to their homes.

“All this is being done only with one aim and that is to ensure that all children from economically backward families enjoy their childhood and get proper education,” says Lyons.

‘Children Walking Tall’ was registered under the Goa Children Act with the Directorate of Women and Child Development on April 4, 2007. It took 16 months for this institution to get a licence from the Directorate of Women and Child Development and an equal time in getting the rice quota at a fair price sanctioned from the Civil Supplies Department. Renewal of licences has not been easy either.

“However one consolation is that medical authorities from Mapusa Urban Health Centre and medical practitioners from a nearby private hospital are very co-operative and provide free treatment to the children,” acknowledges Lyon.

Having made Goa his second home since the last five years, Lyon has taken upon himself the task of moulding the lives of young underprivileged children.

“We do not work on any religious lines, nor do we encourage indiscipline. Our main concern is to see that these poor children get good nourishment and get themselves educated. This is only our main purpose of setting up Children Walking Tall,” explains Lyon.

Source: The Herald

Source: GOACOM

A four-day cultural and cuisine extravaganza was inaugurated by Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister of Power in the distinguished presence of members of Parliament Francisco Sardinha and Shantaram Naik on 6th November at Goa Sadan at New Delhi, to showcase Goan Music, Culture, Handicrafts and Cuisine in the National Capital Region. Goan Cuisine, a major draw at the festival, introduced the authentic Goan cuisine with its distinct flavour. Other attractions were music, from Goa, cultural programme with songs and folk, dance, lucky draws and painting exhibition by Goan artists. Smt. Suman Kurade, President of Goenkarancho Ekvot said that as a NRG organization the this event was to maintain, preserve and pass the cultural history of Goa to our younger generation of Goans residing in Delhi as well as to promote it in the National Capital Region.

The Life Lease Information meetings were held in the Eastend on Sept 7 and in the Westend on Oct 26. To date 69 people are interested in participating in the project, comprising of 38 people in the Eastend and 31 in the Westend.

If you are interested in this Community Project, please review the Presentation and should you wish to participate, complete the questionaire and follow the instructions in Section 28 of the Presentation.

Kindly direct any questions to: Darrel Carvalho (905-897-0890)

New Years Eve Order Form (click to download)

Salary negotiation is the most sensitive part of a job interview. We emotionalize it because we are uncomfortable talking about money. You needn’t be afraid or feel at the mercy of your employer. They expect you to negotiate. In fact, in virtually all instances an interviewer has the power to negotiate a higher salary. However, you must prepare for your job interview including salary negotiation in the same manner you prepare your resume, cover letter, etc.

Starting a new job or position is the best time to get the salary or compensation package you want. After you are hired it becomes a bit more difficult to make up your salary.

Salary Negotiations Research Results

Research Question#1: Do you expect candidates to negotiate regarding their salary, benefits, and work schedules once you’ve made an offer?

Results:

82% reported that they did expect a candidate to negotiate.

18% reported they did not expect a candidate to negotiate.

Research Question #2: On average, how much of a range do you have to negotiate a higher salary with a professional candidate (not hourly personnel)?

Results:

64% reported they can negotiate up to 10% higher salary.

20% reported they can negotiate up to 20% higher salary.

18% reported they have no limit on salary negotiations.

0% reported they have no authorization to negotiate higher salary.

Salary negotiation is about what you think you are worth. Therefore, before entering into a salary negotiation you need to know the following:

• Know the market; research salaries
• Understand your value - what are you worth based on your skills and experiences?
• Be clear on the skills and qualifications required for the position
• Don’t overlook the overall compensation package
• Know what you want

To our membership and friends,
 
As many of you may know, eight eminent Non-Resident Goans and persons of Goan origin were bestowed with the Global Goans Achievement Award at the 4th edition of the Global Goans Convention, held from January 3 to January 5, 2007. The Chief Minister, Mr. Pratapsingh  Rane  inaugurated the convention on January 3 and the awards were presented by the Governor, Mr. S C Jamir.

Those honoured were Dr Alfredo Bruto da Costa,  Dr. Narana Coissoro,  Mr. Fitz de Souza,  (who was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman Puraskar by the President of India in 2004), Mr. Justice Wolfango Dourado,  Prof Damodar R Sardesai,  Mr. Leslie de Mello,  Mr. Neville Roach,  and Ms Patricia Rosario, (eminent opera singer knighted by the Queen of  England with the Order of the British Empire. She was also awarded the Asian Women's Award for Achievement in Arts).   

Joanne-Marie D'Mello is a promising young and talented Goan singer (see her CV), who is studying at the Royal College of Music, London, under the tutelage of Ms. Patricia Rosario. Joanne went to the UK from Goa.  The costs of tuition, books and other fees, in addition to accommodation costs, are quite high. We understand from Ms Rosario that Joanne is very hard working and dedicated and makes full use of her time and talents. It is therefore compelling that we find ways and means to support this young fellow Goan, who will in time, no doubt, be a credit to our motherland! We can all feel proud that we had a hand in helping her succeed!

This appeal is to all our members of the GOA and to Goans at large, to support Joanne in her endeavours. We already have a donation of $100 to kick start the donors list. All donations - never mind the amount, large or small, will add up and should be sent to the Goan Overseas Association, PO Box 5667, Stn A, Toronto, ON, M5W 1N8, with any cheques made out to the Goan Overeas Association and marked: "Joanne's donation Fund".   The GOA will issue one cheque and send it to the UK as the donation from the Goans in Toronto.  It is requested that donations be sent in within the next four weeks. Please see attached CV of Joanne and her photograph. Help support her career. Many thanks.