About us
Our Story
The Goan Welfare Society (“GWS”) is a non-profit organisation which was set up in 1994 by a dedicated founder team with the primary objective being to assist those in need in the community. Majority of our work goes to offsetting emergency medical bills, health insurance, rental expenses, educational welfare for children and basic necessities.
To facilitate this mammoth task, we rely on financial support from well-wishers and annual fund-raising events. GWS is a registered society under the Societies Act in Kenya and as such all funds collected are fully accounted for and our accounts audited annually. GWS is managed by a volunteer committee of 8 individuals, including a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and convenors for the portfolios of Welfare and Safety & Security.
The GWS also assists with keeping our Goan culture alive by organizing events such as Goa Day; including our youth in the activities that will help them understand more and get to embrace our rich heritage. We have in the past supported Konkani classes in Nairobi. We have built a good rapport with the Indian High Commission as well as the Portuguese Consulate in Kenya and have forums with them from time to time on how to promote common goals and local Goan owned businesses. This is work in progress and we will continue to push this agenda.
We have also built close ties with the Hindu Council of Kenya and one result of this relationship has been access to an affordable medical cover plan for members of our community. Arrangements are in place with Dr Romeo and the Jalaram Clinic where our welfare members can access quality medical treatment under the GWS account.
The GWS committee is volunteer based and relies on financial support from well-wishers through voluntary subscriptions and annual fund-raising events. Our accounts are audited and an AGM is held every year to show how funds were utilized.
Our Main Pillars
Welfare
This includes taking care of the welfare needs of the Goan community which include food parcels, housing, clothing, old age homes, nursing care, psychological support and counselling services, arranging funerals and last rites for members, education and job placement.
Security
Assisting members of our Community through Sambau (our own Goan Security Experts) who offer and assist in times of security issues/breaches, break-downs, providing an escort service, election updates and assistance as well as traffic updates
Business Networking
In an effort to encourage networking, we have formed the Portuguese Business Council and are encouraging Goan entrepreneurs to join in order to network and meet other professionals as well as use this platform as a marketing tool.
Fund-Raising
Raising funds to ensure that we can look after the vulnerable members of our community by organizing golf tournaments, discos, raffles, football tournaments, social evenings, movie nights amongst others.
Medical
Supporting our welfare cases by arranging for the requisite medical care, arranging for medical cover, helping community members to pay medical bills/emergencies, Goan doctors on call, assistance with purchase of medications, ambulance covers, etc.
Heritage & Culture
Encouraging our membership especially the youth to understand our rich Goan Culture, Cuisine, Language, Dance and the rich heritage through organizing cultural events and musical concerts and language classes
Sports
GWS has been actively involved in getting together a Goan team to participate in the FOF Games (Festival of Friendship) which involves all Asian Communities. Last year we had a record entry of Team Goa.
Founders
We honor our founder members whose vision was to set up an association that would cater to the needs of the vulnerable and less fortunate members of our Community.
We pray for the souls of those who are no longer with us that God will grant them eternal rest.
As a founding member of the GWS, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to past and present Committees for their dedication and service to the members of GWS during the past thirty years. We live in challenging times; I would encourage the younger generation to take responsibility and be sincere and respectful in their professional undertakings. My best wishes for the continued success and well-being of the Establishment.
~ Clarence Abranches ~
