At the inaugural program, a special prayer service was conducted by the students under the guidance of Dr.Sr. Lizanne AC. The traditional lamp was lit by Chief Guest, Fr. Alfred Vaz, Parish Priest of Se Cathedral, Dr. Sr. Lizanne AC, Vice Principal, Carmel College, Dr. Rovina Fernandes, NSS Program Officer and Ms. Poornima Pednekar, NSS Secretary. The Camp Scroll of Activities was unveiled by Fr. Vaz in the presence of Dr. Sr. Lizanne AC. Fr. Vaz, then, welcomed the campers and spoke about the past miraculous and sacred events around the place which makes it holy and wished the campers a memorable time at Old Goa.
Special training sessions on home mushroom cultivation and on composting, talk cum demonstration on eco-friendly and portable toilets, anti-plastic rally and street play, motivational and awareness sessions, heritage tours, community visits and migrant surveys were the special highlights of the camp. Many Old Goa locals assisted in this social mission by providing required guidance to the campers on the local issues and supported many of the camp projects. The campers also took on the Se Cathedral outdoor cleaning project and demonstrated their skills and ability at hard and challenging tasks.
Marching for a Cause – Keep Old Goa Plastic Free Anti-Plastic Rally
They saw the litter and performed around it! – Street play to create awareness on Pollution and the Garbage Menace
During the camp, the volunteers participated in two training sessions on home mushroom cultivation and composting techniques at Farmer’s Training Centre, Ella Farm, Old Goa. They also learned about Goa’s rich heritage from ASI Officer, Architect Rohini Ambedkar, who gave them a guided tour of the ASI Museum. Architect Ketak Nachinolkar presented to the students on Old Goa’s monuments and also led them on a heritage walk around Old Goa. The campers also went on a plastic-collection drive around Old Goa.
Old Goa locals lead the campers on a tour of the magnificent Cathedral.
A special presentation cum demonstration on the SuSandas, the eco-toilet project was made by Architect Talullah D’Silva and her associates, Muriel and Mario. In their presentation, they highlighted the problem of open defecation and presented an eco-friendly solution through their model.
A street play highlighting the garbage menace and an anti-plastic rally were other camp activities aimed at creating environmental sensitization.
A special migrant survey on toilet facilities and home hygiene was conducted by the campers in the nearby areas. They interacted with the migrant families and also spoke to them on personal hygiene. Campers also visited the St. John of God Old Age Home at Old Goa and the Mother Teresa Home for the Destitute at Carambolim and interacted with the inmates.
Campers also benefited from an inspiring presentation on, ‘Social Etiquettes for Women’, delivered by Fr. Alfred Vaz.
During the camp, NSS volunteers participated in a poster making competition on the theme, ‘Old Goa-Then and Now’. A few of them also taught craft to local kids. A few local residents provided valuable assistance to the campers by serving as guides around the locality. A group of local volunteers also briefed the campers on the different altars and chapels of the magnificent Se Cathedral. This tour of the Cathedral was arranged under the guidance of the Parish Priest, Fr. Alfred Vaz.
The finale of the camp was the traditional Goan sports and Goan Folk dance programme organized by the campers which culminated in Camp Fire and dinner, graced by our Principal, Dr. Sr. Aradhana AC and Special Invitees, Fr. Alfred Vaz and Fr. Seby Vaz.
.
Bringing joy to the Community at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Destitute
Girls take on the Se Cathedral Outdoor Cleaning Project
Principal. Carmel College, lighting the Camp Fire, along with esteemed guests, Fr. Alfred Vaz and Fr. Seby Vaz