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Happy New Year and Thank You
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29-Dec
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As 2013 draws to a close we can't help but reflect on all that has been achieved in the year. Most of all, however, we remember that we are a team and that nothing would be possible without supporters. Support, in whatever form, means you've given hope and a helping hand for a brighter future to hundreds of disadvantaged children in Goa and on behalf of children we really do say thank you.
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This week Savita made a trip to Colva to give out Christmas presents. The atmosphere was really Christmassy with stars at all the windows and a beautiful homemade Nativity scene. Each child received a gift, cake and an orange. They studiously opened their presents and then delighted in showing each other what they had received. Our Colva project is relatively simple with the children attending tuition classes daily. They work hard all through the year and it really is wonderful to see their joy and appreciation for what supporters have given. We hope seeing the children's happiness will inspire supporters to drop off unwanted toys at Mango House in the future......
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We were very excited to see that Santa found time in his very busy schedule today to give out sweets and gifts at the Mango House Christmas Party. The children had a fun filled day with a special lunch, party games and dancing. Some of the boys who are having flute lessons played Happy Birthday for the children whose birthday falls in December before those children were given the honour of cutting the Christmas Cake. Then Santa arrived showering sweets before taking the time to give each child a present. We know if your Christmas celebrations tomorrow are half as joyful as ours today you will have a wonderful time......
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Shri Shanta Durga Students Celebrate Christmas at Mango House
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20-Dec
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The psychology students of Shri ShantaDurga Higher Secondary School, Bicholim and their teacher, Lenjina Fernandes recently visited the pre-primary school for an early Christmas celebration with the children. After a short introduction from Savita, the students conducted some games and fun activities such as star making, drawing and colouring, singing and dancing, pass the parcel and some play time on the trampoline. Later the students distributed Goody Bags to all the children. We say a huge thank you to the students and Lenjina for giving the children such an enjoyable morning.
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The Mango Tree Trust attends Don Bosco Mela
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19-Dec
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The children of the Mango Tree Trust were warmly invited for an event called the Bal-Mela organized by Don Bosco Oratory Panaji. This event was especially conducted for underprivileged children from different NGO's and organizations all over Goa. On arrival at the venue at 10am, children were given refreshments along with 20 coupons, later used by children to play at different game stalls. At around 1.30pm lunch was served followed by cultural programme, wherein our children performed some dances on stage. Later there was a dance session for all children. At around 3pm the event ended followed by distribution of goody bags for children.
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We chose this photo to wish supporters a Merry Christmas as it reminded us of a wonderful afternoon last Boxing Day at Colva - we don't think you could find happier, more appreciative children anywhere at Christmas. It reminds us of the utter joy that a simple present and a couple of oranges and ice cream can bring to a child who has very little. As so many new toys are given this Christmas we hope you might be inspired to put a few old toys in your case if you are visiting Mango House next year. Wishing all those celebrating Christmas a joyful festive period. From all of the Mango Tree family.
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The Good Deed Christmas Tree
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13-Dec
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As Christmas approaches the staff at Mango House decided to teach and encourage good deeds amongst the children by setting up a Good Deed Tree. From now until Christmas each time a child does something good they will write what they did on a leaf and tie it to the tree. Already the tree is filling up as children report their simple acts of kindness and proudly add a leaf to the tree. We look forward to seeing the tree bloom over the coming days.
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Rewarding Exam Success
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10-Dec
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Here we can see 7 children all beaming with pride after being presented with a handmade outfit as a reward for achieving excellent results at school. A further presentation will be made at a later date to one boy who unfortunately was in hospital at the time of the presentation.
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The Challenge Was Met
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10-Dec
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We are absolutely thrilled to be able to report that the sum of £4,041 was donated over the Christmas Challenge Weekend. It's a huge help towards getting our income up to our expenditure and we really do say thank you to all those involved in making it a success.
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We have now published our latest newsletter covering the last three months. Use the blue subscribe button on the right hand side of this page if you want to subscribe to the newsletter by email......
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Today our monthly birthday party was an extra special event as we said farewell to our Mango House Father "Ali Sir". Ali has served disadvantaged children for over 18 years but now as his own children are growing up he is heading overseas to work to make a better future for them too. In recognition of his work at Mango Tree Ali was presented with a t-shirt covered with all the Mango House children's names. On behalf of all the Mango Tree team and the children we say thank you and send our very best wishes for the future.
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Mind Rewind 2 To Support Mango Tree Goa
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29-Nov
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We were thrilled to hear that DAT Mafia Records have once again produced a compilation of Goa Trance Music previously unavailable on CD. All the tracks have been generously donated by the artists to raise money for Mango Tree Goa. Only 1,000 CDs are available and will go on sale on December 1st. You can read more about this unique compilation at http://www.datrecords.it.
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Will You Rise to our Christmas Challenge
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15-Nov
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Every year Mango Tree has a Christmas Appeal which runs from 25th November to 6th January. This year, however, we are also running a Christmas Challenge. Some generous supporters have pledged to donate £1,500 BUT only if it is matched by our Fund Raising Event on 6th, 7th, and 8th December. It’s an amazing opportunity - For every pound raised another is donated. £2.50 becomes £5.00, £5.00 becomes £10.00 etc. We really need your help to raise £1,500 over the Challenge Weekend. You can read all about our Christmas Challenge here.
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Less than 5kms from Panjim the slum area of Indra Nagar is one of the most deprived areas of Goa. It is notorious for petty crime - unsurprising given the level of poverty. Shanty type rooms are packed in tiny lanes. In the midst of the slum two small rooms house our pre-primary school and afternoon tuition programme for around 150 children. The photos show some of those attending when we visited last month. .....
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Our Colva project provides afternoon tuition and snacks for around 20 children. We also provide school uniforms, school bags and rain wear. The children's families are mainly beach sellers and without the support of the project it is very likely that the children would be working on the beaches too. These photos show a typical afternoon at the project and some of the children smartly dressed with their uniforms and receiving their school bags......
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Mango House Celebrates Children's Day
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14-Nov
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Today India celebrates Children’s Day in recognition of the fact that children are society’s bright future. To celebrate this grand day the Mango House staff arranged a fun packed afternoon. The programme started straight after lunch with each child having a colourful ribbon tied to their wrist and fun with balloons. There were lots of games before finishing off with dancing in the House and snacks and refreshments. The children had a lot of fun and the staff enjoyed treating the children on their special day too.
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Chimbel Project Cleared to Receive Foreign Funds
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07-Nov
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Few people will be aware that under the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act all charities operating in India must apply for permission from the Government to receive foreign funds in support of their work. Mango House has such permission but after a long wait we were delighted to hear that permission has been granted which enables us to fund the Chimbel project too. This very worthwhile project supports around 150 children through its pre-primary school and afternoon tuition programme and we commend Sister Francis for managing to keep it running since June until clearance from Delhi was received.
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The Hindu festival of Diwali celebrates the triumphant victory of good over evil, the glory of light over darkness and a beam of hope for all mankind. It marks a new beginning and a renewal of commitment to family values. We wish all those celebrating this festival in the coming days a truly joyful time.
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Our Mango Tree Goa Savings Pots
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31-Oct
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We are really grateful to special Goan friends who took our traditional clay savings pots and turned them into the beautiful savings pots you see below – all within a couple of days! The large pot will be used for the donation box at Mango House but if you could save your change for Mango Tree Goa please either pick one up when you visit Mango House or let us know at info@mangotreegoa.org
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Free Dental Check-Ups Sponsored by Colgate
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31-Oct
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Over the last few days the Indian Dental Association along with Colgate sponsored a Free Dental Health Check Up. Fortunately one clinic was stationed very close to Mango House and we were able to take 35 children for a check-up. Each child was assessed and given guidelines to promote their dental well-being. At the end of the check-up the doctors gave a toothbrush and toothpaste to encourage dental wellbeing.
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Soumyen's Kitchen Cooks a Meal With a Difference
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30-Oct
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Today Chef Soumyen invited the Mango Tree children and staff to his restaurant – Soumyen’s Kitchen at Calangute – for lunch. Around 75 were treated to their favourite meal – Chicken Biryani and ice cream - all washed down with a mocktail. The outing was a perfect post exam treat for the school-going children and we say a huge thank you to Soumyen for his kindness and to his staff for waiting on the children like they were special guests.
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Urban Health Department Gives Talk on WellBeing
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25-Oct
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Today parents and children were invited to Mango House to attend a talk about well-being from representatives of Mapusa Urban Health Centre. The talk covered the importance of vaccinations, the bad effects of chewing tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse, the significance of good nutritional food for growing children and the overall importance of a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle. We were pleased to see so many Mums and Dads attending and that their response to the talk was very positive
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Will You Help us Spread Joy This Christmas
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25-Oct
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Each year we give every child an individual present both at Christmas time and for birthdays but as numbers have swelled we need an ever increasing number. If you or your family or friends are visiting Goa and could collect some good quality second hand toys to take they really would be appreciated. Fortunately both Thomas Cook and Thomsons generously grant supporters free charity luggage allowance which we can arrange. You can read more about the type of toys which would be suitable here.
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Celebrating Eid Al Adha - The Feast of Sacrifice
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16-Oct
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Eid al Adha is an important Muslim festival which celebrates the belief in Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s command to sacrifice his son Ishmael. The timing of the festival varies slightly throughout the world and will be celebrated in India on 16th October. We wish all those celebrating this festival Eid Mubarak.
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An Outing to the Science Park on Gandhi Jayanti
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02-Oct
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Gandhi Jayanti is an Indian national holiday that celebrates the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. As the children were off school an outing was arranged to the Science Museum where they watched the Planetarium Show and then watched a 3D Show explaining how dinosaurs became extinct. Later the children had fun at a local park.
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