ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOA YMCA PANJIM FOR THE YEAR 2005-2006

INTRODUCTION

The year went by prosperously by the Grace and will of God, with many targets achieved and projects completed successfully and satisfactorily. Many years of hard toil and labor, saw timely completion of the YMCA International Goa, Project, which was stranded for want of funds. But at the right moment, God opened doors and several hearts, and we were able to raise sufficient funds to ensure that the Project flowed smoothly till the end stage and ready for inauguration.

Fund raising through souvenirs brought in upto Rupees 2.50 lakh, Bombay YMCA forwarded Grant of Rs. 10 lakhs, Pune YMCA gave a Interest free loan of Rs. 5 lakhs, where the remaining amount was raised through Loan taken from the Catholic Syrian Bank to the tune of Rs. 50 lakhs repayable in monthly installments of Rs. 1,15,000 plus interest. The total cost of the projects is approximately Rs. 70 lakhs.

INAUGURATION OF YMCA INTERNATIONAL GOA

The Building was duly inaugurated at the hands of the Governor of Goa, His Excellency S.C. Jamir, and blessed by Archbishop of Goa His Grace Filipe Neri Ferrao. The inauguration saw a good gathering of local members and guest, invitees from Bombay YMCA Dr. M.D. David, Mr. P.M. John, Mr. Sushil Parekh and Mr. Stanley C. Karkada ; Pune YMCA was represented by Mr. Benny Boodle and National President Dr. J. Alexander were present for the function. Local Board members were recognized and felicitated for their efforts and contribution in completion of the project. A special Dinner was also organized in the evening, hosted by the President of the YMCA Panjim, Adv. Joseph Vaz.

THE PROJECT

The Building was open for occupation to Guests and members from all parts of the country from the 23 rd December 2005, the Christmas season saw full occupancy and members enjoyed the facilities and stay at the YMCA International Goa. The YMCA International Goa, houses 14 self contained air-conditioned rooms, with Television and Telephone and can be rated as 3 star in its standard. We also have a Conference Hall that can host seminars, corporate conferences, Birthday parties and Social gathering for around 100 people. We have an in house caterer, Ms. Sumithra Sequeira, who provides all cuisines including authentic Goan cuisine for inmates as well as for conferences. We have a small lawn that can cater to small parties of members. We also provide Tour to North & South Goa, River Cruises and all services as regular hotels

ACTIVITIES

Under the ages is of the YMCA , we have set up the following clubs, which provides a forum for members to meet –

a. Senior Citizen’s Club :- For only Senior Citizens, this club has been formed to provide them with a platform to interact with other Senior citizens and to organize their own programs for fellowship, entertainment, social service and information and awareness.

b. Toast Master’s Club: A platform for people who enjoy speaking in public and inculcate good speaking habits. This club helps members plan, prepare prepare and present speeches in front of an audience, and also to be positively evaluated by other members.

PROGRAMMES

We organized the following programmes since the inauguration for members and Public to make the YMCA popular among the Goan community:

a. Republic Day Eve Dine n Dance : This Programme was organized for members on the 25 th of January 2006.This was a Dine n Dance evening, where a Live Band Incaz played for the audience. Along with Dance and music there was DJ music, One Man Band, Magician and Fire Works. We had a gathering of around 125 people, who enjoyed the programme till wee hours of the morning.

b. Right Nutrition and Healthy Eating Habits :- conducted by Dr. Narayan Dumo was held on 4 th March 2006 at the YMCA International Goa. Over 80 people attended this lecture, which instructed them on various aspects of following a Good Food culture for healthy living.

c. Tujich Novsornni Kor: A tiatr on occasion of lent was organized at the Kala Academy for members and Public to introduce the YMCA and its programs. This drama was presented to an audience of over 400 people. The Tiatr gave the message of faithfulness, love and repentance. The program was sponsored by the Information and Publicity Dept Govt of Goa.

FUTURE PROGRAMMES : Programmes coming up in the next quarter are –

a. Summer Outstation Camp : for children to be held from the 11 th – 17 th May 2006 at Camp Lakeside, Nilshi, Maharashtra. The program include rappelling, river crossing, hiking, trekking, archery, target shooting, swimming, canoeing etc. it will be an adventure cum value based camp for children in age group 9 years to 15 years.

b. Leadership and Public Skills course: A 20 hour programme to be held at the YMCA, conducted by Mrs. Farida Dias, for teenagers and adults, from 6 th to 18 th May 2006.

c. Professional Skills Workshop: on the techniques of CV writing and attending interviews to be held on 19 th & 20 th May 2006 for college students, at the YMCA.

d. Volley Ball Open Tournament for local groups

e. Open Swimming Gala

f. Open Table Tennis Tournament

CONCLUSION

God has always been in the center of all our activities, programmes and projects and it is by his strength alone that we have progressed and prospered all along. From a YMCA Office to a YMCA Dormitory for Working Men to a International Guest House, the Goa YMCA Panjim has come a long and in this journey along with the support, expertise and commitment of members, there has been the unseen hand of our supreme creator, who has led us through thick and thin, helping us not to fall or be in want. We pray that this organization and the building, which stands to his glory grows from strength to strength.