Spreading Christmas Cheer with Senior Citizens
Ganv Bhavancho Ekvott held its annual Christmas Party for Senior Citizens of the twin villages of Guirdolim and Chandor-Cavorim on 19th December at the Chandor Club premises with much gusto. Around 300 elders enjoyed the party greatly as there was music, dancing, games and lunch too.
Antonio Pereira was in his elements as the host regaling the crowd with his jokes, singing and even accompanying other singers. Truly a compere beyond compare!
Santa Claus on arrival gave sweets specially prepared by Emperor Chocolates of MAAST to those gathered.
While Jalin provided the music with his one man band, villagers Philip Peixoto, Digton Peixoto, Raynen Peixoto and Alysa Rebello formed a musician’s quartet providing melodious music.
Some of the guests including Maria Concesao from the Home for the Aged, Maura from Guirdolim and Domnick from Guirdolim, sang with the last named setting a record for
singing every year.
GBE member Domnick Mendes and GBE member Diago’s daughter Delailah also sang with the crowd asking Delilah to render an encore.
Obviously with so much music there had to be dancing too, which was set off with a march with many of the participants joining in.
Santa Claus got the people to tap their feet
The ambience was so enthralling that even a handicapped person danced the Cha Cha with GBE member Vita.
As there were less males present, ladies even danced in a group
The only Founding member of GBE from Guirdolim, Darwin Cardoso, conducted the games and gave away spot prizes. The first prize was given to Anamaria D’Costa from Jitlem for being the first to arrive for the party.
Three ladies, all aged above 90, namely Lily Miranda from Igorjebhat, Delia Flores and Josephat both from Old Age Home bagged the prize for being the most senior participants.
Domingo from Bindimoll was adjudged the youngest senior citizen
Both the prizes for the jigsaw puzzle game were bagged by participants from Daddy’s Home who attended the party for the first time.
Lindarifa from Guirdolim won the Numbers Game
At the beginning GBE President Alzira Pereira gave the welcome address while Project Manager Maria Mascarenhas proposed the vote of thanks where she particularly thanked Chandor Club for giving their premises free for the programme. She also specially thanked President’s husband Benny and GBE member Derek’s wife Michelle Antao for all their help at the programme.
Founder Member Julio D’Silva while lamenting that Goans are fast forgetting their Konkani language urged the elders to speak to their grand children in Konkani so that they are in touch with the language and pointed out that English will be automatically learnt at school.
GBE members led by Managing Committee member Serena Antao set up a registration counter to collect information of the participants
Members personally served all the participants who were first served chutney sandwich and tea and later a three-in-one dish having cheese ball, fish cone and spring roll.
Participants were also served lunch where they had three salads – dry fish, green and Russian, Chicken 65 and Green chicken, prawn noodles, pulao, rice and curry and pickle. For desert, they were served Custard and Pudding.
The party ended with all the participants getting a Christmas gift from GBE.
All pictures by Ronnie D’Souza.