A hero for the homeless

A hero for the homeless

November 2022

A HERO  FOR THE  HOMELESS

By Jamuna Rangschari

Donald Fernandez from Goa worked as a  sales executive, and in his travels across  Goa for promoting his products, he saw  many homeless persons on the streets, at bus  stops, and near churches and temples, wandering  around with their dishevelled looks and shabby  clothes. Hungry and thirsty, emaciated, and  having health issues, both mental and physical,  or under the influence of alcohol and maybe  even drugs, they were being shooed away by  passers-by and authorities. After witnessing this,  his spiritual teachings inspired him to work for  their betterment.  

Donald opened a free shelter home for all who  needed help. Initially, his friends, relatives,  and neighbours thought he was crazy but  later understood his pure intentions. His wife  supported him too, for she realised that he was  doing his best to help those who were abandoned  by most and thus following a spiritual path.  Today, he works hard to bring about change to  enable the underprivileged to be included in  people’s hearts. 

Donald is also trying to bring a policy change in  the government to save excess fresh food from  canteens, hotels, and corporates, which is thrown  away, to be channelised instead to the needy and,  in the process, also minimise wet garbage for the  environment.  

Donald cherishes some special moments: A  young boy who was brought to the shelter by the  police was unable to identify himself.  

Donald’s dream is to wipe out hunger and homelessness. They posted his picture on social media because  of which his father got in touch, and the boy was  reunited with the family. Another time was when  they rescued a woman from the streets in 2018.  She was uttering guttural sounds, didn’t know  her name, how to eat from a plate, or how to  have a bath or change into fresh clothes. Today,  four years later, she knows how to colour and  paint, loves to dance, has a bath daily, and cleans  the shelter home to perfection. When he sees  her now, he is so happy and feels great that he  did not give up on her though there were many  challenging moments with her.  

Essentially, Donald’s dream is to see that hunger  and homelessness in Goa are wiped out forever.  He is certainly working in that direction.  Knowing his perseverance, I am certain this  will happen in Goa and perhaps all over India  and then the world, as he could show the way  forward to everyone.