Skål International Goa activities to help during COVID-19 pandemic

Skål International Goa takes action in collecting and distributing protective health supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Report on activities conducted by Skålleagues from Goa through the period of lockdown.


Skålleagues from Goa got together and collected 19.100 shower caps for handing over to Goa Medical College and Hospital for support as per their request towards the preparation of stock of requirements for treatment of COVID-19 patients. Skålleagues Nikheel ShirodkarSaurabh Khanna, and Guitry Velho spearheaded this activity across hotels in North and South Goa. Skålleague Antonio Sequeira was also proactive in identifying a supplier, and Skålleague Chalston D’souza was a generous contributor for 12.800 of them. Dr. Michelle Gouveia, the main coordinator, is very very thankful for this. There is requirement for items such as shoe covers, waterproof gowns – protective garments, etc.

1400 protective garments (waterproof gowns) are being manufactured through an activity spearheaded by Skålleague Francisco Braganza. Sponsorship for the same raised through contributions by Skålleagues Francisco Braganza Rs. 20000/-, Prakash Pereira Rs. 20000/-, Chalston D’souza Rs. 20000/- and Lyndon Alves Rs. 10000/-, giving a total of 1000 protective garments.

Skålleague Francisco Braganza has been offering meals for 100 inmates of old aged homes & orphanages. Other than this he has been organizing food grains & other essentials to other Old Aged Homes & Orphanages. Skålleague Umesh Shetgaonkar has been organizing the transport of all this material through this period. Skålleague Nikheel Shirodkar has organized meals for the Health Center Staff from Arpora, Baga, Calangute & Candolim. Skålleague Francisco Braganza has provided provisions to Skålleague Nikheel Shirodkar for their aid activity. Skålleague Saurabh Khanna has also assisted in identifying NGO’s operating in the Northern belt who are assisting the needy & provisions for them are being organized through Skålleague Francisco Braganza. Skålleague Saurabh Khanna has also come up with an action plan of assisting neighbors of his resort in need of services through this lock down period.

Skålleague Jack Sukhija has been volunteering in assisting the distribution of provisions to the needy n elderly in n around Panaji & so also the stranded jobless laborers. Skålleague Nilesh Shah has contributed food grains & other essentials for distribution to Skålleague Jack Sukhija. Skålleague Guitry Velho is also organizing meals for 100 persons on a daily basis. Skålleague Mark Mendes is also organizing assistance in Anjuna village. Skål International Goa is in the process of identifying other entities that need help through these difficult times.

Skålleague Vincent Ramos of IHC is organizing meals for 1000 persons namely doctors, nurses & hospital staff all associated with COVID-19 treatment in Goa. A number of Skålleagues have come together to assist with the packing material for these meals, Antonio Sequeira, Ricardo D’lima and others. Skålleague Guitry again assisting with the pick up of these parcel boxes from South Goa Hotels & transporting them to Cidade de Goa in Dona Paula. Skålleague Jaidip Simaria also assisting with Silver Foil for the same purpose. Skålleague Francis Serrao has offered transport assistance for any aid purpose as may be required. Skålleague Lyndon Alves has also offered an Innova vehicle for a similar purpose.

Skål International Goa President Ernest Dias & Team Sita assisted in coordinating the entire effort to assist stranded charter and other European Union tourists through 4 flights:

  • German flight departure on 31/03/20.

  • Finnair departure with 330 pax & 3 infants on 1/04/20 morning.

  • German flight departure on 01/04/20.

  • German flight departure on 02/04/20.

A total of 700 + Tourists from Germany & other European Union countries were assisted in travelling to Germany & onwards. All the travel arrangements were made at very short notice. The pickups from North & South Goa.

Skålleague Bush & Team organized everything as regards the Guests requirements at the Airport to facilitate a trouble free & hospitable departure from Goa.

SITA Team was working round the clock over the last few days to ensure a trouble free departure in coordination with airport authorities, transport department, law enforcement authorities & Skålleague Bush & Team at the airport. All the necessary permissions were obtained in record time to go through with this endeavor. Another German flight is due to depart on 03/04/20 morning with other European Union evacuees.

Also to be mentioned was an evacuation of a lot of European Union Tourists through another flight to France through TBI though they are not members with Skål International Club Of Goa.

Beach Umbrellas / Large Umbrellas were offered by Skålleagues from Goa to the Policemen on duty at the check points for bringing in order during the lockdown: Guitry Velho (10 large umbrellas), Anand Chatterjee (30 nos), Chalston D’souza (10 nos), Vivek Kerkar (126 nos), Francisco Braganza (50 nos), Prasad Kanoth (10 nos). Skålleague Prashant Korgaonkar offered 10 tents for the same purpose.

The effort to organize provisions for the Old Citizens who are held up at homes due to the lockdown & are unable to get their requirements were being assisted in defined areas. Skålleague Bonnie has been working in this regard in the Campal area of Panaji City.

On 3rd April Skållleague Umesh Shetgaunkar organized for deliveries of provisions for the following:

  • St Alex Convent and orphanage (housing 32 adults & 12 children): 50 kg rice, 10 kg Dal, 100 Eggs.

  • St Alex church Fr Polly: 100 kg rice, 5 kg Moong Dal, 5 kg Kabuli Channa, 5 kg Toor Dal, 5 kg Masoor Dal.

  • Holly Trinity Church Fr. Urbano: 100 kg rice, 10 kg Dal.

Skålleague Francis Serrao and Team Crosscraft his event management company supported with 3000 kg of food grain to the migrants and less privileged of Bambolim, Curca, and Talaulim area near Panaji.

Skålleague Chalston D’souza has offered soaps and dental kits to the people helping at Peddem ground. He has donated Rs. 50000/- to the Calangute ground kitchen for the needy. He has offered a gas cylinder to the life guards when they had none.

Skålleague Vincent Ramos Area GM IHC informed that they are now supplying to labour camps under instructions of Deputy Collector - lunch & dinner food packs for 500 persons. They are also offering old linen and towels for the labour camp as most of them sleep on floor or cardboards of cartons. He has himself visited many such camps to hand over the required material.

Skålleague Anand Chatterjee and Team Planet Hollywood are doing 1000 meals for the camp at Shri Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim every day.

Skålleague Francisco Braganza informed that 3D printed face shields manufactured by his son Kristof Braganza to the COVID-19 Hospital Margao. The same was handed over to the Directorate of Health Services & the Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant.

The efforts will continue further as long as it is required.