Welcome to the Goan Overseas Association

DISCLAIMER REGARDING EVENT SPONSORSHIP

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:18:29 +0000

It has been brought to our attention that there is some confusion among our membership and their friends on events the G.O.A. has ongoing or is associated with. In order to dispel this confusion, we have stated our position below.

DISCLAIMER REGARDING EVENT SPONSORSHIP

The G.O.A. may from time to time enter into discussions to co-sponsor an event within the Goan and Associated Communities, however the final decision is based on:

· the best interests of its membership;

· whether the event conflicts directly with an event that the G.O.A. is providing for its membership and friends;

· financial and other resources and agreement thereto.

All Goan Overseas Association, Toronto, event flyers bear the G.O.A. logo, and any event flyer that does NOT bear the authorised G.O.A. Logo is NOT a G.O.A. event, and does not have the approval of, or sponsorship of the G.O.A

Children's Christmas Tree Party

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:37:09 +0000

Order Form

Wishing the GLOBAL GOAN CONVENTION - OMAN all the success

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:15:29 +0000

From The WORLD ALLIANCE OF GOAN ASSOCIATIONS,

To ,
The Commissioner for NRI - Goa,

Global Goan Associations and coordinators of World Goa Day.,

Dear Mr. Eduardo Faleiro,

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating you in your endeavours and do also wish, the Government of Goa, you and the organizers all the very best for a successful and meaningful Convention in Oman.

I do sincerely hope that all goes well with the convention and decisions made will be followed through. Please accept my apologies as I will not be able to attend the event as much as I would have liked to. However, I am pleased to mention that three senior members of the WORLD ALLIANCE OF GOAN ASSOCIATIONS (WAGA) - namely , Wilson Coelho , Simon D Silva and Benedict Lobo will be attending the convention as representatives of WAGA. I expect that they will speak on our behalf and on behalf of the Association they represent.

I would also like to congratulate you on the success of the "Know Goa Scheme" and hope that all those who do participate will benefit in knowing Goa and sharing what they learn with Goans and the Global Goan Associations.

St. Francis Xavier Feast 2009

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Hop Party

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:24:05 +0000

New addition to the G.O.A. Team

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:32:35 +0000

G.O.A. is pleased to announce that Greta Dias has joined the Executive Committee as “Director, Retirees”. She will be responsible for organizing and arranging events for the G.O.A. for those who are retired and their friends. Greta is not only enthusiastic about volunteering, but has already begun to put together events that will be posted on our website. We ask that you review our calendar of events for upcoming events which will include “The Hop”, Whist Drive and much more.

Movie: Princess and the Frog

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:54:41 +0000

New Years 2010

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:22:13 +0000

Announcing the 2009 Know Goa Programme Participants

info@goatoronto.com (Michelle Coutinho) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

It is with great excitement that we congratulate the following six young Goans from Toronto for being selected by the Non-Resident (NRI) Indian Affairs Office in Goa to participate in the 2009 Know Goa Program (KGP): Mr. Ryan De Souza, Ms Michelle Dias, Ms Alicia D’Souza, Ms Vanessa Lobo, Ms Sandrina Rodrigues and Mr. Matthew Slaman.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Honourable Eduardo Faleiro, High Commissioner for Goa, the Non-Resident Indian Affairs Office in Goa and the Government of Goa for providing young Goans in Toronto and around the world with this once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about Goa’s cultural heritage.

The 2009 participants will begin their two week sponsored journey on November 29th in Goa where they will visit many educational, historical and cultural places of interest before travelling to the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the World Heritage monuments at Agra.

We are delighted to share the following details with you about the selected participants from Toronto.

Mr. Ryan De Souza
Ryan De Souza is Canadian born, whose ancestry traces back to Goa, the birthplace of his grandparents. Ryan is 28 years old and is a University of Toronto graduate, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. In 2008 he also earned his Certified Associate in Project Management designation. As an active member of the Goan Soccer League, Ryan is captain of Colva FC, and has led numerous charity fundraising events for the club. He is honored to be selected into the 2009 KGP. He is looking forward to this experience and hopes to learn more about the social, economic, and environmental issues that face Goa. Ryan would like to share these learnings with his fellow peers so he may enhance their knowledge and inspire efforts to combat the challenges that are present in Goa today.

Ms. Michelle Dias
Michelle Dias is a 23-year-old Mississauga native who is an active member of the G.O.A. As a selected delegate for the KGP 2009 she is excited to experience first-hand the Goan culture and heritage she is so proud of. Michelle moved to Canada from Kenya at the age of two with her family. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario in 2008 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communications, she went onto Sheridan College to pursue a post-graduate certificate in Corporate Communications and achieved High Honors. Michelle is currently starting off her career in the exciting sector of public relations. She hopes to continue traveling the world, as she has already been to 13 countries and dreams to publish a novel in the near future. When she is not socializing with friends, Michelle devotes much of her time to volunteering with Girl Guides of Canada and Epilepsy Halton Peel.

Ms. Alicia D’Souza
Alicia D’Souza is a fourth year student in The Heidelberg School of Graphic Communications Management (GCM) Program at Ryerson University. She completed a summer internship this year at Fujifilm Canada where she worked on a large marketing campaign that will debut at the Graphic Canada’s tradeshow in November 2009. Alicia also took on the role of Project Manager for GCM’s Colloquium 2009 event on Globalization. When Alicia is not immersed in the print industry, her hobbies include: painting, dancing and swimming. She was a participant in the 2007 Miss India Canada Worldwide Pageant and won the title for “Miss Best Skin”. Alicia lives in Toronto with her parents Remy & Juliet D’Souza and her younger sister Jenna D’Souza. It is her goal to travel, learn and make a difference everywhere she goes.

Ms. Vanessa Lobo
Vanessa Lobo is 23 years old and currently working on her Masters of Science degree in Nursing at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She is a graduate fellow in the Nursing Health Services Research Unit/Office of International Health on campus and has obtained certification as a Registered Nurse (RN). Vanessa is the eldest of three girls in her family, a talented singer-songwriter, is very involved with the youth at her parish and has a brown belt in Chito Ryu Karate. She loves to travel and is so excited to visit her homeland this winter!

Ms. Sandrina Rodrigues
Sandrina Rodrigues came to Canada over 20 years ago and has made a few visits to India since then, mostly spent visiting family and friends of her parents. She loves to travel and has visited Australia and Brazil and spent a few months travelling and living in Europe. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Civil Engineering where she researches groundwater contamination. Her interests include third-world development, languages, reading, tennis, and swimming. Sandrina is especially grateful to have been chosen for the Know Goa Program and is looking forward all the new things she's going to learn and see because of it!

Mr. Matthew Slaman
Matthew Slaman is a 21 year old student at the University of Ottawa. He is in his third year pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Social Science where he is focused on international studies and modern languages. Matthew is an Honours student and President of two Spanish Clubs at the University of Ottawa. He enjoys rowing and was recently a finalist at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Matthew is currently in Paris, France on a student exchange program. He was born to a Goan Mother and a Dutch father who are both from immigrant families that arrived in Canada in the 1950's. He is proud of his Goan and Dutch heritage. There is so much that Matthew wishes to learn about Goa. He looks forward to this once in a lifetime journey to get to know his Goan roots and the magnificent culture.

The Non Resident Indian (NRI) Affairs Office in Goa received applications from a number of exceptional young Goans across the Greater Toronto Area. We want to thank all of them for taking the time to submit their application for consideration. The names of the selected candidates from the other participating countries are in the process of being released by the NRI Affairs Office in Goa.

G.O.A.'s Ruby Anniversary & Viva Carnival

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:38:08 +0000

Save the date for the G.O.A.'s Ruby Anniversary on May 1, 2010 and Viva Carnival on Feb. 6, 2010

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An Opportunity to Visit the Holy Land for G.O.A. Members and Friends

info@goatoronto.com (Kevin D'Costa) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:19:52 +0000

Are you interested in visiting the Holy Land in April/May 2010? An itinerary is noted below to give you an idea of what is included. Travel arrangements will be made through Sr. Jocelyn Monette who will also be the tour guide. For the trip to be a go ahead there must be 45-50 participants. Those interested will have to pay a deposit and all arrangements will be made directly between the participant and the tour company. An information meeting with Sr. Jocelyn will be arranged in November. If you are interested please call Rowena Clutton directly at 905 625 3355 for further details.

This Pilgrimage "Walking in the footsteps of Jesus" is a once in a lifetime trip.

Holy Land Brochure

*** G.O.A. Toronto assumes no responsibility or liability for this trip. ***