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Lourdes
Kanajar Association, Emirates (LKAE)
Lourdes Kanajar Association
of Emirates (LKAE) formerly known as KWAE came into existence in the year
2000 through the keen initiative of other likeminded Konkani speaking
Catholics hailing from a tiny village of Kanajar of Mangalore Diocese. The
association has spread over other Gulf countries mainly Kuwait, Bahrain,
Qatar & Oman and also in Mumbai. The efforts of Lourdes Kanajar Association
in the past years have been praiseworthy and commendable.

On 27th of October’ 2000,
about 14 people from Kanajar gathered at the residence of Stanley D’Souza
primarily with an intention of gathering more information on Kanajarians and
gradually establish an association of their own to help each other in the
long run as well as undertake projects back home with an absolute intention
of providing food, clothing and shelter to our brethren in need. It is worth
mentioning these names here without whose support the association would have
been a distant dream even today. The members are: Stanley D’Souza, Thomas
Saldanha, Aloysius D’Souza, Baptist Saldanha, Ignatius D’Souza, Maurice
Saldanha, Benedicta Lobo (nee Saldanha), Veronica Alva (nee Saldanha), Peter
Saldanha, Dominic D’Souza, Leo D’Souza, Sunil Lobo, Robert Pereira and
Austin Barboza. LKAE has now grown five times of its initial numbers and in
the UAE it is the first association that came into existence in the recent
times.
This very move of setting up
family bonds not only helped Kanajrians residing in the UAE, but also led to
the formation of several such associations which indeed was an inspiration
to all Mangalorean catholics hailing from the neighboring parishes mainly
Karkal, Udupi, Shirva and Kundapur wards (varado’s) etc.
 LKAE - 2005
 LKAE - 2004
 LKAE - 2003
 LKAE - 2000
Objectives:
- To establish close and friendly links with every Kanajarian residing
outside India.
- To provide help to those who are in deep crisis either at workplace or
in the family or health problem.
- To help the needy back home through financial assistance as well as
career guidance to their children who will be our future generation of
Kanajar.
Cultural activities:
Since its inception in 2000, LKAE members have participated in every single
event that came its way, be it celebration of feasts, talent shows and
competitions, Sports and Major tournaments at the UAE level. Highlights of
these major events are, a grand celebration of Lourdes parish feast – Dec
2003 attended by a large crowd of 450 people, Lourdes Kanajar Throwball and
Volley ball Tournament – Dec 2004 attended by more than 500 people and
almost 20 teams participated across the UAE. For more info, click on the
respective links provided below:
Projects undertaken:
LKAE has undertaken several impressive projects back home either directly
initiated by them or by some other organizations. The funds raised by the
above events were immediately distributed in a timely manner and made sure
that they reached the beneficiary. A list of projects undertaken in
chronological order:
2001-02: Contribution towards its maiden project “Lourdes Hospital” in
Kanajar thus securing the Director’s status in Lourdes Kanajar Charitable
Trust.
2002: Regularized mortuary fund benefits to all members holding the current
annual membership.
2003: Fund raising campaign that amounted to a total of Rs. 22 lakhs from
several like-minded people, who thus acquired Director’s status in the
hospital trust.
2003: Contribution towards “Divine Call Centre” Mulky, INDIA a retreat house
project initiated by Fr. Jerry Sequeira SVD.
2004: Educational assistance to a Kanajarian student (girl) from a poor
family, thus helping her secure a management seat in nursing.
2004: Repatriation of mortal remains of a Kanajarian, who passed away in
Dubai due to hereditary illness.
2005: Assistance to two poor families in Kanajar for construction of their
houses, a project managed by Parish Priest.
The slogan is: "Together let us build a tradition of care"
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