Adventurous young men decided to call a public meeting of the Goan community to convert their desire into a reality and found a new club. A circular signed by 10 prominent and respected Goans was issued, and a meeting was held on June 11 1905. It was unanimously agreed to establish the Goan Club, and today, we as their worthy heirs enjoy the fruits of their labours. (Though the sons and daughters of the original pioneers, as well as those who came later in decades, many of whom have left this earth or moved on with their own heirs to all parts of the Globe. Goan newcomers carry the flag of the original and subsequent founders of the Goan Institute, Nairobi.
This page is a living memory to all who called the GI, our club.
Do you remember them?
Incidentally, the original circular convening the meeting read as follows.
"It is considered expedient that a literary and receptive institution should be founded to meet the demands of each and every educated Goan resident in this town (thus was also created intra-Goan racism). A general meeting of the Goan Community of Nairobi will be held in the Town Hall, Nairobi, next Sunday June 11 1905 at 1:30 pm. In order to discuss the advisability of and devise the best means on which the institution should be founded.
It is expected, therefore, that the meeting will be largely attended to be of the utmost importance and closely affecting the social and literary interests of our rising community.
Dated June 5 1905
Signed by:
M.M. D'Souza
P.A. Miranda
A.A. Fernandes
Lewis Sequeira
F.M. D'Souza,
R.A. Nazareth
J.A. Nazareth
M.R. D'Souza,
B.C. Siqueira.
TRIBUTE TO THE FOUNDERS
By J.S.T Ferao 1955 (ex President of the GI Nairobi:
It is easy to busk in the shine of prosperity. However, the true test of a community rests in times of adversity, and surely those times of adversity must beset us as they did that little band of pioneers who led the way for us; they faced it and laid a solid foundation on which to build. Do not let us be found wanting, the future must and can be faced with calm, confidence and optimism, as a tribute to those who came before us and a lasting benefit to those who will come after us..
I wonder if there is anyone alive who can attest to the memories of these venerable leaders of the Goan Community in Nairobi.
Originally published in the brochure celebrating the GI's 100 years.
The Goans of East Africa may not have been all perfect, but we also had in the community many to be admired, much to be celebrated and many to be remembered with pride. Goans have much to remember and much more to be proud of.
God Bless everyone!
If you can remember the men named, tell me about it.
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