First Anniversary of Moodubelle Charitable Trust celebrated

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 10 January 2011: “My family was quite poor and we had great difficulties in carrying on our day-to-day life and education. As i grew up under these circumstances, i decided that when i am able to earn, i will keep aside ten paise from every rupee that i will earn to help the poor and needy and this pledge that had been taken many years ago i have been fulfilling since then. In order to streamline this charitable mission, last year i ventured to establish ‘Moodubelle Charitable Trust’ which has just completed one year...” Thus, spoke Mr. Valerian Maurice Alva, the chief Trustee of Moodubelle Charitable Trust on the occasion of the observance of the first anniversary of its foundation in a function held on Sunday, 9th January 2011 at 11.30 am at his residence on the Belle-Kappandakarya Road.

 

The first anniversary programme was attended by Fr. Joswey Fernandes, parish priest of Belle, Sr. Vinita, Superior of the Loreto Convent, Mrs. Celestine Alva, mother of Mr. Valerian Alva, Sr. Carmine, Mr. Ajit Kumar, C.A. and the students and parents who had benefited from the Trust during the last year. Margaret D’Souza, sister of Valerian Alva welcomed the guests. The function was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by Fr. Joswey Fernandes and guests.

 

In his speech, Fr. Joswey Fernandes said that a candle burns itself not for its benefit. Similarly, a flower blooms not for its glory but for the benefit of others. In the same way there are certain people such as Mr. Valerian Alva who think in terms of helping less fortunate people and sharing their wealth and happiness. He made a special reference of Mr. Valerian Alva coming forward to donate a bus for the benefit of the poorer students of the parish schools. Fr. Joswey congratulated Mr. Valerian Alva on the occasion of the   first anniversary of the foundation of the Moodubelle Charitable Trust and wished him good luck in his future endeavours.

 

Vignesh, one of the students who has been helped financially by the Moodubelle Charitable trust in continuing his higher education in Engineering  speaking on this occasion said that as his family was quite poor, after PUC he did not know how to continue his education as he was interested in Engineering course. At that time, he mentioned that, Fr. Arun Mendonca directed him and some other such needy students to Mr. Valerian Alva who agreed to finance his and other students’ education. He profusely thanked Mr. Valerian Alva for his philanthropy and said that he will study well and fulfil the dreams of his parents.

 

 

Fr. Maxim Pinto and Fr. Paul Sequeira who came a little later to the programme congratulated Mr. Valerian Alva on the occasion of the first anniversary of the foundation of the Trust. Fr. Maxim said that if each and every student who had benefited from the Trust could help one student each when they start earning, the welfare activities of Moodubelle Charitable trust can percolate down to many more poorer and needy students.

 

The students who have benefited from the Moodubelle Charitable Trust and their parents were introduced to the guests who were present for the function. The students also sang and presented dances to entertain the gathering. Mr. Valerian Alva presented mementos to the guests and students. Mrs. Helen D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks and the programme was compeered by Mr. Charles Quadros and Miss Fiona D’Souza.

 

Mr. Valerian D’Souza after completing his primary and secondary education went on to acquire  B.Com, LL.B. and MA degrees. For five years he worked as an accountant in St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore. Deciding to better his future, he also started a business in ice-cream and snacks parlour  at Bangalore. Later, Valerian went to Kuwait where he worked as an accountant in Kuwait Refinery Maintenance Company for ten years from 1991 to 2001. In 2001,   he proceeded to London and worked as an accountant for a well established company and in 2003, Mr. Valerian started his own business in fish trading named ‘Fish Bargain Warehouse Limited’ dealing with the  frozen fish.

 

 

Having determined to help the poorer and needy sections of the society, especially students who are unable to continue their higher education after PUC, Mr. Valerian Alva started the ‘Moodubelle Charitable Trust’ on 10th December 2009. Presently, there are 20 students who have been helped by this trust to pursue their education in nursing, engineering, BBM, B. Com, MSW. The turst has been helping even the school-going children by providing  them facilities such as school fees, books, uniforms, transportation, etc.