NGOs mostly champion a single cause and gear all activities towards that particular issue whether it be looking after the aged, feeding the poor, running an orphanage or providing treatment to the sick. In Goa, many such institutions face a scarcity of resources necessary to fulfill their purpose. That’s where the ‘Help & Help Charitable Trust’ steps in, a novel NGO which aims to assist all institutions that look after the needy in Goa.
“I always wanted to give back to the society,” says Savio Fernandes, who founded the NGO in 2003. To decide his way of giving back, he conducted a survey of homes that take care of the needy in Goa. At each institution, he spoke to the person in charge and interacted with the residents. The feedback received showed that most homes faced a shortage of some form. Thus, the idea of ‘Help & Help’ took shape which till date has helped more than 152 institutions in Goa.
Homes for the destitute, orphanages, old age homes, leprosy and cancer hospitals, homes for the physically and mentally challenged, prison inmates and special needs institutes are some examples of homes assisted by the NGO.
‘Help & Help’ does not provide money but offers assistance in any way required through provisions, equipment, sports items, entertainment, prisoner welfare, medical facilities or educational assistance.
Over the years, many volunteers have joined the ‘Help & Help’ family. Initially, volunteer membership took place through an incentive programme to raise funds. Volunteers would pay a certain amount to enroll and would receive a commission on each additional member they convinced to join. However, the incentive programme was soon discontinued since volunteers came forward to donate without expecting any incentives.
Savio adds, “More than money, more than material help – the inmates of these homes require time.”
The ‘Help & Help’ office located in Comba, Margao serves as the headquarters. Two other people who play a vital role in the functioning of this institution are Marina D’Costa, overall administrator and Jovina Fernandes, office in-charge who devote time to the NGO.
Every month, ‘Help & Help’ provides aid to some institutions. The cost of resources donated is filled on a
form and signed by the institution. All the accounts are available on the official website and regular donors receive a letter every three months detailing the activities of the NGO. This ensures complete transparency in its functioning.
Funds received from people are receipted and comes under 80G tax exemption which enables 50% of
the donation made to be deducted from taxable income of the person.
‘Help & Help’ also conducts an annual four-day charity jumble sale to raise funds where a wide range of
donated items are sold at discounted prices. The sale sees more than 100 volunteers helping out. The NGO also organizes concerts to raise money to support its activities. Performers such as Sonia Shirsat, Swapna Fernandes, Edwin Fernandes, Faith band and Rexband have graced the stage at such shows.
The NGO used to conduct an annual all Goa carol singing competition for schools and colleges named ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ from 2008 to 2015. During the inaugural year, Savio trained an approximately 150 member choir for a special performance where the members consisted of old and young belonging to different homes for the needy in Goa.
A ‘Prayer for Goa’ for the welfare of the state was organized before the Goa legislative assembly elections in 2012 and 2017. Blood donation camps and visits to homes for the needy are also conducted. While most NGO’s look after a particular section of the needy, ‘Help & Help’ assists all such institutions to accomplish their goals. And Savio Fernandes is a living example of a quote he feels inspired by, ‘Charity is not giving what you have…but giving what you are.’
As Savio says, “Actually I’m doing it for my selfish reason – because I feel happy.”
– To volunteer at ‘Help & Help Charitable Trust’ contact: 0832-2714595
