Dubai: Mangalore Konkans donates Rs 45 lac to three noble causes

Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
With Inputs from Media Release

Dubai, Feb 2: “Our society must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them, for the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members” – Pearl S Buck
 
With the completion of 25 years of committed service to promote the Konkani Language, culture and talents and taking the lead to provide continuous support to poor students for higher education, timely medical assistance to poor deserving patients by creating sustainable channel of funds through notable institutions, and other worthy causes in and around Konkan Region, Mangalore Konkans Dubai has now stepped forward with a new concept of helping the needy - especially serving and supporting the section of people who are more precious to humanity and those elderly who are usually forgotten.

On the day of its grand jubilee celebration, “Celebrations 25” held on October 25, 2013 Mangalore Konkans Dubai launched a new project ‘Fire of Benevolence’ and lit the lamp of benevolence in commemoration of its silver jubilee.

On this day although Mangalore Konkans pledged Rs 25 lac as a start up fund to three selected charitable institutions, due to the immense support received from the sponsors towards “Celebrations 25”, the organization was able to enhance the pledged amount to Rs 45 lac and disbursed this amount equally between the following three charitable institutions through trust funds earmarked for Fire of Benevolence Project:

1) Olavina Halli Rehabilitation & Community Development Centre, Ullal, Mangalore
2) Seon Ashram Trust, A Non Govt. Non Religious Organization, Gandi Bagilu, Belthngady,
3) Mount Rosary Charitable Institutions, Alangar, Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada
.
The institutions named above depend largely on the donations received from benefactors and good hearted private donors, apart from some income generated from self sustaining schemes including cultivation etc. to look after the destitutes, widows, orphans, mentally and physically challenged people, leprosy and TB affected patients without any distinction between religion, caste and creed.

Accordingly, Mangalore Konkans officials James Mendonca, Aboline D’Cunha and Tracy Rodrigues personally visited these three institutions recently, met the inmates and interacted with them and handed over to the officials of these three institution, their contribution of Rs 15 lac each.

The visit to these three institutions was a heartbreaking but memorable experience. The service that is rendered by these three institutions to the old and destitute is immeasurable. The pathetic stories of some of the inmates that prompted their arrival in these institutions, was an eye opener. The grateful smiles on the faces of the inmates in return to the few kind words uttered to them, almost brought tears to the Mangalore Konkans members who visited them.

What is unique about this project of Fire of Benevolence is that anyone who wishes to be a partner in this noble project, could do so by contributing Rs 50,000 per year towards the basic needs and expenses towards medicines of one of the inmates. To make it easier for those who cannot afford to contribute more, there is one more option to contribute Rs 25,000 only towards the basic expenses of food /clothing and shelter.

"People are generous and benevolent in helping worthy causes. We thank all the benefactors who came forward to support us in this project. Ever since we launched this initiative, as many as 25 kind-hearted donors with a total amount of Rs 10 lac have pledged their support and become partners with Mangalore Konkans Dubai in this Fire of Benevolence project. We have already collected most of the pledged contributions and forwarded the same to the respective institutions," stated a media release from Mangalore Konkans.

"Presently, with the interest generated from the trust fund and the contribution of the existing benefactors only a handful of poor and destitute elderly could be supported. With the increasing number of such needy people in society who require support from these institutions, our goal is to support as many inmates as possible for many more years and for this we count on more benefactors in fulfilling our motto," the release stated.

Tree of Benevolence

- Special ‘Tree of Benevolence ’ is designed on a chart to record all donors names who pledge Rs 50,000 and above, as continuous support or a one time payment of Rs 5 lac for lifelong support for one elderly person.

- Institutions will be encouraged to exhibit a copy of this ‘Tree of Benevolence’ at a prominent place which will motivate many others who visit the institutions to extend their support.

There are a plethora of causes that one may be invited to donate to on a daily basis and here is one more. What makes this one different is this: This is a chance to provide a basic yet honorable life to the aging population in one's hometown. Most of the elderly at these institutions have no family members of their own to care for them in their old age; needless to say, many of them have been rejected and were out on the streets before they found a home at these three institutions.

Often times, our privileges bar us from realizing the true desperation that results in these situations. It is a request to support the "right thing", the "caring thing". It may not seem "life changing" in a glamorous way, but is "spirit changing" in a fulfilling way.

People at these institutions are always grateful for the love that people show towards them. They may not know you personally, but they give back to society through their prayers and good wishes. They also give back the generous spirit in their smiles, kind words, and more optimistic outlook on life. We may see them as people who benefit from us, and while this is true, we benefit in intangible ways from opportunities for our generosity to be accepted by them. It’s a commitment you make today to bring a smile, wipe tears and give peace of mind to an underprivileged and under-served population, as we walk ‘Together Towards Tomorrow’

Patrons and well-wishers have supported Mangalore Konkans Dubai throughout their journey to carry on such good deeds, and now they seek the support of the public and the fellow brethren to join hands with Mangalore Konkans Dubai and convert this little flame of Benevolence into ‘Fire of Benevolence’

For more details on being part of ‘Fire of Benevolence’ project contact Mangalore Konkans Dubai on email: angel@mangalorekonkans.com.