On a good almost-summer evening, one strip of the fields in Sonarbhat could
be active with 20 youngsters (mostly boys, but also a sprinkling of girls)
busy training in and playing "Brazilian-style football".
If you thought that kids had vanished from the village, had no time for
sports ("only television") or were waiting for some concrete monstrosity to
come up before they actually thought of playing.... that might not be true.
Tony (who happens to be my dad, and healthy at 80) decided to coach the
kids. Quite a few from close (including my two at home) and far have
responded with enthusiasm. If his patience holds firm, this could hold out
some promise in skillbuilding too.
Not long ago, I came across another teenager training village kids in the
fields between the Ribeiro Sa's (Donvaddo) and St Anne's (Tabravaddo).
Mario & Muriel could fill us in on the details.
Saligao has also gained value from a whole lot of ventures, one of the early
ones possibly being the now not-so-lively Saligao Institute (which, in the
1970s, was a crucial place through which to gain our information about the
rest of the world).
Lennie D'Gama of Cotula has built a trail of boxing talent out of Saligao in
the 1970s. I think "Boxer" Louis in Australia is himself beneficiary of one
early round of training (maybe). Some of these skills are being returned
back, with Lourdes Convent getting a coach to train its boys.
In our younger days, we used to be mentored by seniors like Kenny D'Souza
and Gerard Delaney (Ashley's dad), who were working and could pay for the
costly cricket kit which we all used to play.
The children's library at the Saligao Institute is another useful venture
that has been sustained for years, thanks to all the work put in by Giselle
and the team of lady-volunteers there.
It only goes to show... if everyone offers their skills, then the community
gains.
Maybe Saligao-Net could start a 'skills bank', where everyone offers to
train others in the skills they have.
MUMS WITH TODDLERS: And, btw, this request also came in recently:
Openquote
If anyone can help me out with suggestions on where myself and other
mothers with their babies/toddlers could meet maybe on a weekly basis
(Saturdays preferably)I would be really really grateful. I am happy to come
and meet you on site if necessary, as I only live in Pilerne so can reach
there quite easily. Thanks so much
Leanne Da Costa Frias
Tel. 9822 484446 / 0832 3252506
ENDQUOTE
Leanne is the daughter of Maureen and neice of Christine (both of whom have
been Saligao-Netters for long), and she grew up in Italy and the UK.
There is scope for many more such ventures. If you know of something
positive that is happening, or could happen, just share it via Saligao-Net.
FN
--
FN * http://fredericknoronha.wordpress.com
M: +91-9822122436 P: +91-832-2409490
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en
Please post regularly to keep the e-village active!
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
