Over the course of the weekend, the YWCA Goa as part of their health awareness and community outreach initiative organised a beach walk for a cause. Over the last couple of years, their events, including the likes of the Joy Walk in 2013 and the Pink Walk in 2014, have managed to garner the support of over 250 people. This year’s seaside initiative was titled the Green Walk, and was held with the aim of raising awareness on the importance of a clean environment. Participants wore green to show their support for the same. The walk consisted of a distance of 5 kilometres along the beach, starting at Benaulim, with every participant being given a grasshopper made of coconut leaves upon registration. Althea Fernandes, a participant at the event, said, “First of all, it’s a great way to start a Sunday! All of us wearing green made us feel more united too. The walk was not only fun and not only got us active, but also reminded us of our commitment to the Earth and environment.” The YWCA of Goa was formed and constituted by a committed and multi‐disciplinary group of women, and the group focuses on areas that engage women and children in the community. In keeping with this initiative, Café speaks to a few women runners in the state of Goa, asking them why it is that they do what they do: A group of us get together on a regular basis and run in order to boost our fitness as well as to undertake activities as part of a larger group call G’energy. There are approximately 10-15 of us in all, and whenever there are events undertaken by groups such as the YWCA, we participate in them as a sign of our support for their endeavours. Anna Costa The reason I do this is because walking not just helps keep you fit, but it also tones your muscles and makes you feel good about yourself! Blanche Themudo
