The Goan Welfare Society Trustees are:
Flavio Gracias
Chair of Trustees
020 8723 1322
Flavio was born in Mombasa, Kenya and completed his education here, emigrating to the United Kingdom in 1968. He became involved with the Management of the Goan Association, initially in 1985, as General Secretary and then as President. In June 1998, with the Goan Association (UK) facing bankruptcy, he agreed to take the helm again and was President for the next 14 years, handing the baton to the very able Ravi Vaz in 2012. Flavio hails from Colva, Salcete, Goa and served as President of the Colva Union (UK) for a year. Flavio accepted the position of Chair of Trustees of the Goan Welfare Society (UK) in 2014 and he hopes to make the Charity a vibrant organisation to serve the welfare needs of the Goan Community in the UK. He is married to Bernie Gracias who has been an active supporter of the Goan Association (UK) as Company / General Secretary for many years.
Paul De Mendonca
Trustee
020 8384 0272
Paul was born in Malawi but emigrated to the UK with the family in 1964 and completed his education here. He hails from Anjuna, Goa and has been actively involved with the Goan Association (UK), firstly playing hockey from 1968, then on the committee from early 70s, serving as President from 1996 to 1998. He joined the Board in 2000 and served a Legal & Administration Director till 2016. He is married to Sally and they have two children, Neil & Chloe who both served as Directors of the Goan Association (UK) from 2014 to 2016.
Norma Menezes-Rahim
Trustee
020 8771 4457
Norma was born in Nairobi, Kenya and completed her education there before emigrating to the UK in March 1975. Since arriving in the UK she became an active member of the Goan Association (UK) and served as Social Director for decades and was only the second “lady” President in 1986 / 87. Norma hails from Tivim and was chairperson of the Tivim Association for several years and is still actively involved with the organisational arrangements of the annual feast in early August. She also plays a vital role in organising the reunions for the ex-students of St Teresa’s & Catholic Parochial Schools, Nairobi. Norma has been one of the founder Trustees of the Goan Welfare Society and is married to Esau.
Rosy De Souza
Trustee
020 8677 0390
Rosy was born and educated in Nairobi, Kenya, and hails from Colva, Salcete, Goa. She emigrated to the UK in 1975 and is married to Pio. They have a daughter, Marilou, who was Assistant Social & Cultural Director, of the Goan Association (UK) in 2016 / 2017. Rosy has been actively involved with the Colva Union (UK) for over two decades and, over the years has provided invaluable help to the Goan Association (UK) and village organisations with the celebrations of their respective socials. Rosy is extremely creative and has used these skills for floral arrangements, particularly for “button holes”. She became a Trustee of the Charity in November 2016.
