M’lore: SMKC Dubai Establishes Rs 10 Lac Medical Trust Fund

Media Release

Mangalore, 26 Aug 2012: St. Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC) Dubai proudly announces the establishment of a Medical Trust Fund of Indian Rupees 10 Lakhs,  which will be managed  by the founder Spiritual Director  - Rev. Fr. Cyprian Peter D’souza o.f.m. based at St. Anne’s Friary, Mangalore. The cheque amount of I. Rs. 10 Lakhs was handed over to Fr. Cyprian D’souza by Noel Mascarenhas , the Founder President, and Joe Fernandes, the Founder Advisor. This amount was generated from the funds raised through the current DECENNIAL celebration "Grand Konkan Showers 2012 -Wilfy Nite" held on 27 April 2012.

 

 

 

On receipt of the huge amount, Fr. Cyprian D’souza, the founder Spiritual Director of SMKC Dubai, exclaimed, – “Yes, the challenges were many but as a team, SMKC Dubai were able to bring fulfillment into the lives of the many poor and needy people.  This big dream of reaching out was a mere illusion to me when the association was founded in 2001 but turned out, to be a dream come true for many unfortunate lives". Congratulations to all the Presidents & Committee members, all our Benefactors and Sponsors and the people who supported us for this noble cause. God bless you all".

 

Today as it stands, SMKC is proud to announce that its contribution amounts to ~Rs. 1.33 Crores in a span of 10+ years. The breakdown of the total contribution during the past 10+ years is as follows:

 

 

SMKC Education Trust Fund: Established  in 2004  at Bishop’s House Mangalore and has been managed well to cater to many poor families of the region. So far 17 students from Engineering field have  passed out and 4 Engg and 1 MBA students are continuing their course still. 1 student has completed her MBBS and is a full pledged doctor.  I . Rs. 2 Lakhs was  granted to each student to complete their 4  -5 year course. All these students have signed a promissory note to give back to the Education Trust Fund and so far  I. Rs.  8,01,500/- has been reimbursed by few students who have settled well in jobs. In addition, financial aid  has been granted to nearly 37 students who have benefited education in B.Sc  Nursing, 8 in B.Ed; ITI and Polytechnic from this Education Trust Fund to the range of  I. Rs. 10,000 – 15,000/- each year.

 

Sponsorship of 3  Capuchin priests,  Assistance to name a few  Projects are Holy Rosary Church Building, Doha, Qatar,  St. Pio Training Institute, Mandd Shobhan, Kalaangan, Naravi Orphanage, Shanthi Ashram, Emmanuel Charitable Trust, White Doves, Cheshire Homes, Home for the Aged  at Bajjodi,  New Churches and School buildings and repairs of Mangalore diocese, Deena Seva Ashram, Bangalore,  Assistance to St. Joseph convent Uganda, and many other good causes to the range of I. Rs. 10,000 - 5 lacs.V.  Mid day meals to poor students of different schools,  airfare for runaway housemaids, assistance to release people from Jail and Sponsors, blood money payment, repatriation of dead bodies, assistance to build houses for shattered families in interior villages and various other causes to the range I. Rs. 10,000 – 3 lacs.

 

In addition, Konkani heritage and culture was promoted through various annual events and programs by bringing in artists right from Late Wilfy Rebimbus and family (three times), Eric Ozario and family, Henry D’souza, Melwin Peiris,  dashing Ronny D’cunha to beautiful nightingales, Zeena and Anita Samson, Succrina and Nephi Rod and others to perform during the annual events who were amply rewarded for their performances and expenses in cash and kind.  Various cultural & Reach out events -  Medical camps & English language classes, Sports, Variety Entertainment, Family Fun day and other activities were hosted for the community.  Support was given to church events  throughout the 10 years during Monthi Festh celebrations, Fellowship, Corpus Christi and other liturgical events.  Noel Mascarenhas, the founder President of SMKC Dubai recalls, "To support our endeavors, SMKC Dubai had not only the dedicated members who stood by thick and thin,  but also had  generous and supportive backing of benefactors/donors and the community who were together throughout ’rain’ or ’sunshine’.

 

 

Veronica Rego, President of SMKC Dubai, says – “SMKC Dubai has always aimed at being unique in all its endeavors and is considered to be one of the most versatile and generous associations by our community, not only in the Gulf but across the entire Konkan belt.   Few but sincere and enterprising people who are still together as one family were able to ’Wipe more tears’  and ’Bring more Smiles’ on the faces of the downtrodden.  Whilst we thank  God and Mother Mary for granting strength and courage, I thank each and every member and especially our benefactors who trusted us and given support throughout these past years in our endeavour to reach out”.

 

It is time to slow down,  time to retire,  say few of the senior dedicated members.  But the philanthropic works of St. Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC) Dubai will continue through the two established EDUCATION and MEDICAL Trust Funds in Mangalore which will beckon to the voice of the ’poor and needy’ with a cheerful and generous heart living  the very words of Jesus Christ –“Whatsoever you do unto to the least of your brethren, that you do unto ME”.

 

• SMKC Dubai Presented an amazing Konkan Showers 2012 to mark the Decennial Celebration