There are several orphanages all over Goa in different talukas and villages for boys and girls. Konseisanv Balgram at Verna is a unique orphanage in South Goa which caters to the basic needs of and the overall growth of young children under one roof. It was established in 1984 by late Fr Conceicao Rodrigues, who had a great love for the orphans, destitute children of broken families, the neglected and underprivileged children and for whom he desired to provide shelter and education.
Initially, it was the dream and vision of Fr Alcantra Gracias to establish an orphanage for children coming from broken families. When he later moved to Linz diocese in Austria, he spoke about it to his parishioners and developed funds for its maintenance.
Today, Konseisanv Balgram has 22 cottages for around 130 needy children. In each of them are 8-10 children living together with a cottage mother, who takes care of them. “The children (77 boys and 55 girls) are supported until they complete their studies and acquire some training to begin a career in life,” informed Sister Jennifer Mascarenhas, the administrator of the orphanage.
Besides providing an education, food and shelter within the complex, every child is given an opportunity to grow through an all-round development with various activities like educational competitions, football, basketball, music and other co-curricular activities. “Special coaching is given in difficult academic subjects,” Sr Mascarenhas added.
With regard to cottage mothers, the administrator said that there are 13 of them, who serve as a substitute mother to the orphans. “We don’t want these children to feel lost and neglected. All care and attention is given to them by the mothers in their respective cottages and they help them in their studies and other activities, solve their problems and help them grow responsibly,” she revealed.
Besides the administrator, there is a laywoman, Theresa Dias, who serves as a superior to those orphan children. “Due to broken families, there are slow learners among the orphans, who are taken care of equally,” she informed.
Usually after completion of elementary studies (class X for boys and class XII for girls), the guardians take away their wards. But there are exceptional cases in this orphanage. Christopher Fernandes from Chorao is pursuing his engineering studies. “The child lost his father when he was young and his mother is working as a maid. He joined this orphanage in kindergarten and continues with us till date,” mentioned Sr Mascarenhas. Besides him, there is another boy and girl who are pursuing their Polytechnic studies in the same campus.
Concerning the financial aspect, the administrator said that funds keep flowing from benefactors from Austria and Fr Ramson Pereira, who is presently the parish priest of Linz diocese and is serving as a co-ordinator of the entire project and carrying forward the seeds sown by Fr Alcantro Gracias.
