KWAK: The dream of a man turned a success

KWAK: The dream of a man turned a success

Mangalore Today News Network

Report and Pictures by Antony Miranda

Kuwait, 28 April 2010: The parishioners of Kanajar working and residing in Kuwait have come together in a spirit of unity and cooperation. This was possible due to the efforts of one man, Mr. Lawrence D’Souza who had visualized this dream and motivated some of his co-parishioners in Kuwait to come together and form an association of their own. This resulted in the formation of the “Lourdes Zamath Kanajar” on 12th March 2000 when fourteen co-parishioners of Mr. Lawrence D’Souza joined him.

The First President of Lourdes Zamath Kanajar was Mr. Lawrence Saldanha(2000-2002). He was followed by Lawrence DSouza(2002-2004) Melwyn Mascarenhas (2004-2006) and Lawrence Saldanha (2006-2008), Antony Victor Miranda (2008-2010). The present President is Henry Britto.

 

 

 

 

 

During the leadership of some founders, the association which had started first in Kuwait for the upliftment and progress of the parishioners of Kanajar saw its birth in many neighbouring gulf countries. These efforts bore fruit and now Kanajar association has been established in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and Mumbai.

Wherever, the Kanjar Association has been established, the members of the association, with the blessings of our patron, Our Lady of Lourdes have been working keep in view the common motto: “Betterment and progress of people in Kanajar and Parish.” Within three months of the start of this association in Kuwait in 2000, the number of members rose from 14 to 100 and within a year increased to 140. Later, the name of the “Lourdes Zamath Kanajar” was changed to "Kanajar Welfare Association, Kuwait"(KWAK)

The main aims of the KWAK have always been:
1. Upliftment of the parish
2. Providing education to poor children of the parish
3. Extending a helping hand to the parishioners here in Kuwait in times of need and difficulty.
4. Annual Celebration of the parish feast of Kanajar along with all the Kanajar parishioners.
5. Making arrangements for funeral in case of a demise of a fellow parishioner
Some of the important works undertaken by KWK include: renovation of the portico of the Kanajar church; establishment of the Lourdes Charitable Trust that led to the foundation of the Lourdes Charitable Hospital; establishment the Death Benefit Fund from which a total of Rs 25,000 will be donated to the family members of the deceased. Last year, the family members of Benedicta D’souza and Mary Menezes had received this amount; the Monthi Festh and the parish feast of Kanajar were celebrated in a grand manner together with all the parishioners residing in Kuwait; an annual picnic and a get-together was arranged by the end of the year; and Kidchamp-2008 (dance competition) was organised in order to showcase the talents of the young children of Kanajar.
The KWAK will be organising a family picnic in Mishrif garden on 30th April 2010 at 10am.

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