Media Release
Kuwait, Feb 1: Shirva Welfare Association Kuwait (SWAK), held its annual general body meeting on Friday January 29 at Harmony Hall, Salmiya, here.
The meeting commenced with the opening prayer led by Urban D’Souza and a welcome note by president Alban D’Souza. Secretary, Lona D’Souza read out the annual report featuring the events of the past year. Likewise, treasurer Roshni Lobo briefed the information on the financial statement of the association to its members.
Alban D’Souza briefly updated the good work done by SWAK for the needy people during the troublesome phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the meeting, SWAK felicitated some of its below-mentioned members who decided to retire from work to spend quality time with their loved ones back home in India, while some opted to go to other countries for new challenges in their career with mementos.
Denis Mascarenhas (founder member served many years in the committee).
Valerian Gomes (founder member and served many years in the committee).
Urban D’Souza (founder member, served as president, auditor and many other posts including committee member).
Denis Pinto (served as treasurer and committee member).
In the second phase of the AGM, the existing committee was dissolved by the president and requested the election commissioner, Urban D’Souza to conduct the election process to form a new committee.
A dynamic Gilbert Mendoca was elected as the new president of the association.
The new office bearers were elected for various positions as below.
Executive committee 2021-22:
President: Gilbert Mendonca
Vice-president: Adrian Gomes
General secretary: Felcita Flavia D'Souza
Joint secretary: Joyce Lona DSouza
Accountant: Roshni Lobo
Auditor: Clifford DSouza
Cultural secretary: Alwyn DSouza
Joint cultural secretary: Naveen Barboza
Public relations officer: Alban DSouza
Media representative and website administrator: Alwyn DSouza
Committee members:
Anil Menezes, Clara DSouza, Denis Pinto, Doris Lobo, Felix Serrao, Gretta DSouza, Harold DSouza, Lionel DSouza, Regina Serrao, Robert Mathias, Rophel Fernandes, Sanjeet DSouza, Urban DSouza, Valerian Gomes.
The newly elected president, Gilbert Mendoca expressed his gratitude for having their trust in him and giving him this deserving position. He said he worked for the association since its inception as a committee member and for many years served as treasurer and auditor of the association. He requested the members' wholehearted support for justice for his new assignment.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by the newly elected vice-president, Adrian Gomes.
Shirva Welfare Association Kuwait popularly known as SWAK, is an organization formed in December 1994 by the Shirva parishioners who reside and work in the Gulf State of Kuwait. The prime motto of Shirva Welfare Association is to facilitate primary education for the poor children back in Shirva who have to discontinue their studies due to financial constraints in their family. Such students are aided through SWAK educational fund. On the other hand, SWAK also provides its members with assistance in times of need.
Apart from this, SWAK has also aided many needy individuals and organizations like Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, a residential school for specially-abled children, by assisting to build an Autism Center. In January 2020, SWAK celebrated 'SWAK Rupyalo Sambram', a musical extravaganza for Konkani music lovers to commemorate the 'Silver Jubilee'. Today, SWAK is an umbrella consisting of more than 200 members.