I have known Maria Faria and Gemma de Sa, two Catholic nuns of the Medical Mission Sisters, for some time now and have been impressed by their work. Maria -- that's what we call her, no prefix -- has been working with drug addicts inspite of being in her 'sixties. In the past, she has been very appreciative of any tidbits of information relating to drug-addiction which managed to come my way and was passed on to her.

Since these nuns do not wear a religious garb, you would just think that they are two Goan "aunties" (no offence meant), till you got to know them better.

Only recently did I get to know know about the work of Ugahi. It is a small group working with the poor and marginalised, particularly women and children, living in the slums around Margao (the commercial capital of Goa) Railway Station, since January 1995.

It consists of Bernadette (Bernie) D'Souza and Gregory (Greg) D'Costa, both of whom have worked for over 21 years with marginalised groups and tribals in Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra, and Medical Mission Sister Gemma de Sa, who has also worked for over 21 years in Bombay, Delhi and Bihar.

From its centre, they are promoting literacy among the illiterate, impart formal and informal education, organise supplementary education classes for school going children, give basic knowledge of hygiene, nutrition, child care, general health, have income-generating schemes for the women, and a saving scheme for all, hold cultural and sports programmes and provide medical relief to the community by organising health camps. The people they work with are migrants from Karnataka and to a lesser extent from Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Maharashtra. They belong to the socially and economically backward sections of society.

As poor migrants, they are looked down upon by most Goans as snatchers of their ever decreasing land and resource-pie. As slum dwellers they live with the perennial uncertainty and insecurity of being ousted by civic authorities for projects in the 'national interest', e.g. Konkan Railway. The condition of the slums is squalid with shanty and congested houses, limited water supply, no drainage and sanitary facilities. This condition is worsened during the monsoons, with the low-lying area getting water-logged and often flooding their dwellings, making habitation difficult and access to the area impossible.

Yet these are some of the people who contribute to keeping Goa moving today. The people are uneducated and unskilled and struggle to make a living by working as construction labourers, rag pickers, domestic workers, scrap collectors, coolies, small time fish and vegetable vendors, or religious mendicants (fakirs). A few are grade-four (peons or sweepers) Government employees. "Our ultimate aim is to organise and empower the people as a force, a self-help group able to claim their basic rights and shape their own destiny," says Gemma.

They have so far conducted some vocational training and income generation programmes. Stitching is in progress with the aid of the Government DWCRA scheme. Vermiculture and screen printing programmes have been planned with the assisting contacts already made.

It is really nice to note that such efforts are being undertaken, and that too for a section of Goa's population which gets so badly rejected for no fault of their own. Their only sin, of course, is that they're poor.

Though that such work could do with an appreciative word. Also, you would notice that the persons involved in this initiative have all returned from other parts of India (outside Goa). People like myself look forward to those who can bring back their useful skills, and try out such initiatives in Goa. Regardless of all the frustrations one runs into here. Ugahi can be contacted at: Silver Strip Building, B Block, Near ESI Hospital, Quepem Road, Margao 403601 Goa.

Email : fred@goa1.dot.net.in Frederick Noronha in Goa