Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 9: White Doves, a well-known NGO serving the least, last and lost, unconditionally, from 22 years has launched a unique sponsorship concept to build a 200-bed Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home at Maroli, Mangaluru on 49 cents of land donated by the bishop of Mangaluru. The 41,000 sq ft project will have 100 beds for men and 100 for women and will be one of its kind in Mangaluru. With the growing need to reach out to many more on the streets, this nursing home is the need of the hour.
The NGO has rehabilitated 478 destitute till date and presently has 136 residents in the two homes in Mangaluru.
Speaking about what motivated her to go ahead with the project and the unique concept of sponsorship, Corrine Rasquinha, the founder and president of White Doves said, "I conduct a prayer service every Thursday at the Fatima Retreat House and an old lady gives me Rs 100 saying 'this is for your children'. Another old lady once handed me a book saying 'there's something for you in it'. When I opened the book, I found Rs 5,000. When I asked her the reason behind this gesture, she said, 'I heard you are putting up a building for the destitute. Please put a stone in my name. After I die, when Jesus asks me what I did for the world and society, I shall say that I donated a stone for Corrine’s building'. I was awestruck and it also got me thinking. May be this is the way God wants me to go about the project. It will give an opportunity to all to contribute, irrespective of their economic status, for a good cause, thus making them also a part of this blessing that is in store for all of us."
The 'sponsor a square foot at Rs 2,500' took off at the St Sebastian’s Hall, Bendur with Allen C A Pereira, former CMD, Bank of Maharashtra, Walter Nandalike, founder of Daijiworld, Walter D'Souza, former president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisation, Jeevan Saldanha, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce, and Fr Antony Serrao, parish priest St Sebastian’s Church as the guests of honour, who spoke with much conviction about the contribution of White Doves to Mangaluru.
Fr Antony Serrao said, "White Doves is the pride of Mangaluru and there is no one who doesn’t know the love and compassion with which the White Doves reaches out to the needy on the streets."
Allen C A Pereira recommended that all Mangaluruans irrespective of religion or caste should support this great cause and if every Mangalurean contributes Rs 2,500, the entire amount of Rs 7.6 crore can be collected without any strain on any individual.
Walter Nandalike congratulated Corrine on the recent awards she received, two of which he was present for, and also compared the work of White Doves to that of Mother Teresa. He spoke encouragingly saying that Mangaluru is blessed to have an organisation like White Doves which selflessly works for the poor and needy and he assured all help and support from his side.
Walter D'Souza highlighted that everyone needs to work not with sympathy but with empathy as the White Doves does. He also said the least one can do is to support this good cause by sponsoring not just a square foot but according to one's means.
Jeevan Saldanha gave statistics of the abused and raped women and children, and giving the example of Sudha Murthy appealed to all to help White Doves complete this project.
Jerome Coelho, the secretary-cum-treasurer thanked all the people who have supported White Doves and helped to carry on this mission of reaching out to the least, last and lost from 22 years.
"Truly, this will give everyone an opportunity to be a part of this mission of reaching out to the needy," Corrine Rasquinha added.
Those who wish to donate for the noble cause may send their contributions to (Indian currency only):
Bank Account Details
White Doves
Account number: 50100127382631
HDFC Bank Ltd,
Mangalore branch
Ground floor, M N Towers,
Kadri, Mangaluru - 575002, Karnataka
NEFT/RTGS Code: HDFC0000094
Contact number: 9880517078
Website: www.whitedoves.in
Email: mail@whitedoves.in; whitedovesmangalore@hotmail.com