Holy Trinity Church

Canossa Samajik Vikas Kendra (CSVK) is a Sociaf Welfare Centre of Canossa Convent, Arpora, a unit of “St. Joseph Society”, Belgaum. CSVK works for the empowerment of women, children and community development. The sisters have acquired considerable experience in serving and actively involving in pastoral work, teaching in school and formation of the youth. CSVK focuses on enhancement of the community. Canossa Samajik Vikas Kendra has undertaken the following activities:

·         Formation of women’s group (SHGs),

·         Remedial classes for underprivileged migrant children,

·         Migrants Assistance Information Network,

·         Protection of child rights and child safety,

·         Legal aid clinic,

·         Counselling cell,

·         Medical and educational support,

·         Networking with NGOs, Government organizations and collaborating with the laity and institutions with regard to the issues of women, children and community development.

All these activities are focused on the holistic development, social integration of children, youth, women and community transformation at large, thus, making society a better place to live with worth, respect and dignity. During this Covid situation, CSVK has reached out to more than 5500 people by providing dry ration, medical help, masks, sanitizers, oximeters, cooked food, soaps, snacks, counselling services both online and off-line (legal assistance, mental health and family). CSVK also works in collaboration with Goa Jesuits on projects for the Migrants Information Research Centre (MIRC). Through the collaborative venture, CSVK focuses on food security, financial security, legal documents and other entitlements of migrants. Due to the current covid situation, many cases on family matters, domestic violence, abuse, etc. were referred to CSVK. To respond to this need, CSVK started a counselling desk at the Calangute Police station on Thursdays and Saturdays, where the CSVK counsellor will be referring the legal matters or legal cases directly to the Advocate of Canossa Samajik Vikas Kendra so that many cases may be resolved and helped to live a better life.

On 12th July, 2021, Canossa Samajik Vikas Kendra opened ‘Bakhita Sub Health Centre’ which was inaugrated by Shri Michael Lobo, MLA and Sr. Audrey DSouza, the Provincial of Canossian Daughters of Charity, Nagoa. Bakhita Sub Health Centre was blessed by Fr. Rocklin Dcosta, the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Church. This Sub Health Centre is a joint initiative of the Village Panchayat of Arpora – Nagoa, Primary Health Centre, Candolim and the Canossian Sisters, Arpora. “Bakhita”, a Canossian Sister Saint, who was kidnapped and sold in her times today works wonders of healing in the lives of people. Bakhita means “the fortunate one”. ‘In today`s situation, we have one fortune and that is our health’, said Sr. Audrey.

The free services that will be available at “Bakhita Sub Health Centre” are: Antenatal care, Post natal care, Child health Immunisation, Laboratory investigations like Urine Test kit for Pregnancy confirmation, Blood glucose checking, Referral for Sputum check, Disease surveillance under Integrated Disease Surveillance Project, Curative services, Control of Endemic Diseases, Water and Sanitization, Conducting Village Health and Nutrition days, Identification of Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Goitre cases, Salt testing using salt testing kits, Health education/Behaviour change communication, House to house visits, annual health survey, Immunization services, Medical officer OPD – every Tuesday at 9:00 am onwards, Ayurvedic Medical OfficerOPD, Wellness activity day, Anti- container drive, Adolescent Health Care and School Health programme – counselling services – Thursday 2:00 to 4:30 pm, and implementation of National Health Programmes.

We at CSVK strive to make every person feel at home. “Walk with the times” says our Foundress St. Magdalen of Canossa. We, the sisters of Canossa Convent and through our Social Centre make ourselves available to the needs of the people, together in solidarity with other organizations and likeminded people, we try to reach out to the peripheries. We invite you dear friends to walk with us and join us in our mission so that we may accompany the poor and needy on a path of reintegration into Society and the recovery of their human dignity. Let our every effort bring the balm of God’s love and mercy to the suffering humanity.

If you wish to contribute to our mission, you may contact

Canossian Sister, Arpora, Mobile No. – 9082804711