KCWA, true to its mission ‘In Pursuit of ensuring Education to the poor Children’ disbursed education aid for the year 2025 through ‘Sampada’ and ‘Suvidya’ during the programs held on 13 July in Belthangady and 26 July in Udupi respectively.
KCWA Education Fund Distributed at SUVIDYA, Mangalore
The Capuchin Krishik Seva Kendra (CKSK), supported by the Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), organized the disbursement ceremony of the Suvidya 2025 interest-free education loan scheme on Sunday, July 13, at the Vimukti premises in Belthangady. The initiative aims to empower economically disadvantaged students from the Diocese of Mangalore by supporting their pursuit of higher education.
A total of 33 students were selected to receive financial support under the scheme this year. The event began with a prayer and a formal inauguration, featuring a symbolic display of the program’s annual progress.
KCWA President Prakash Godwin Pinto; Fr Paul Melwyn Dsouza (Vicar Provincial of the Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka); Fr Deepak Fernandes (Director, Dayalbagh Ashram); KCWA Immediate Past President, Naveen Mascarenhas; KCWA General Secretary, Reena Rego; KCWA Committee Member, Prashanth Ferrao; Fr Vinod Mascarenhas (Director, CKSK-Vimukti), and Fr Rohan Lobo (Assistant Director, CKSK-Vimukti) were present at the ceremony.
Laveena Jyothi Fernandes, the programme coordinator, gave a comprehensive overview of the Suvidya initiative from 2018 to 2025, highlighting its positive impact and growth.
Addressing the gathering, KCWA President Prakash Godwin Pinto reflected on the organization’s journey and acknowledged the contributions of past office bearers and generous donors. He was honoured by CKSK in recognition of KCWA’s unwavering commitment to educational upliftment. A memento was presented to the KCWA President by Fr Vinod Mascarenhas.
Fr Paul Melwyn Dsouza was also felicitated on the occasion for his appointment as Vicar Provincial. In his address, he praised CKSK’s Laila unit for transforming dreams into impactful initiatives, saying, “Whatever this CKSK unit at Laila discusses and dreams, it makes a reality.”
Cheques amounting to a total of ₹15,81,000 were symbolically handed over to the 33 beneficiaries under the Suvidya 2025 scheme.
Fr Vinod Mascarenhas, Director of CKSK, thanked KCWA for its steadfast support and appreciated past beneficiaries for their timely repayment, which in turn enables new students to benefit. He urged the current recipients to remain committed to the scheme’s vision, stay disciplined, and avoid negative influences such as drug abuse and harmful associations.
Laveena Jyothi Fernandes proposed vote of thanks and Christal Pradeep Pashan served as the compered the programme.
KCWA Education Fund Distributed at SAMPADA, UDUPI
The Annual Kuwait Cultural Welfare Associations (KCWA) Education Fund Distribution programme was held at Anugraha Pastoral Centre, Kakkunje on Saturday, 26 July 2025 at 3:30pm.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the programme. KCWA President Mr. Prakash Godwin Pinto; Mr. Michael Pinto, former Vice President of KCWA, Mrs. Jovita Fernandes, Former Secretary and Member of the Press of KCWA and presently KCWA Educational Fund Beneficiary Selection Committee member and Mr. Manoj Stephen Rego, former committee member of the KCWA and presently KCWA Educational Fund Beneficiary Selection Committee member were the guests of honor. KCWA Committee member Mrs. Yvonne Veigas also present on the occasion.
Following short prayer service by the beneficiary students, Fr. Reginald Pinto, Executive Director of Sampada briefly narrated the contribution of KCWA towards providing interest free loan to the needy students to continue their education. He said that the Education Fund was initiated in 2017 by the KCWA leaders. The KCWA Education Fund, in collaboration with Sampada Udupi, aims to support deserving students through interest-free loans. With an initial deposit of 50 lakhs, this scheme has already benefited over 120 students. Upon completing their studies, these students repay the loan amount, enabling KCWA and Sampada Udupi to support more aspiring students.
In his address Prakash Godwin Pinto traced the origin and growth of the KCWA with a view to promote education and health among the needy persons in Mangalore and Udupi Diocese and to promote Konkani culture among the Mangalorean Community working and residing in Kuwait.
On this occasion President of KCWA Prakash Godwin Pinto was honoured by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo distributed KCWA Interest Free loan to seven beneficiaries.
Speaking on this occasion, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo pointed out the circumstances which led to KCWA to come forward to support the scheme of interest free loan to the needy students of the Udupi Diocese. He expressed his gratitude to the office bearers and members of KCWA for supporting the scheme and contributing Rs. 50 lakhs towards the Educational Fund. Nearly fifty percent of the beneficiaries have repaid their loan which will be used to provide fresh loads to other needy students.
Fr. Reginald Pinto welcomed and compered the programme.
We at KCWA take pride in our achievements over the years and thank all our members, sponsors and well-wishers for their generous contribution and continued support. KCWA hopes to strive and work harder towards its mission statement.