I dont want to engage in an in-depth discussion about Goan clubs.However,
living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Goan Institute (later Dar es Salaam
Institute) was a home away from home. It was truly our second home, where we
met friends. Like birds of a feather, we flocked together.There was a saying
going around "where there are two Goans, there is a club" and "where there are
four Goans there are two clubs" because we are an opinionated lot and
differences soon arise.To a lonely Goan, usually male, being posted to a remote
town was often made bearable, by the presence ofa Goan club, sometimes a
physical structure, and often just an association. Nearly all the clubs all
over the three countries comprising East Africa (Kenya, Ugnda and Tanzania) had
repricocity wherein a member of one of the scores of clubs within East Africa
with a letter of introduction, could partake in the facilities of the club in
the town or city that he was visiting. Having travelled extensively, I cant
tell you what a relief it was to find a familiar watering hole And
invariably, one would strike up a conversation with other Goan regulars, and be
offered a drink, and sometimes even invited to a person's home for a home
cooked meal. Strong friendships were thuse formed. This ws true
"Goenkarponn". We Goans are very sociable and reach out to each other.
The fact that Goan clubs still exist in East Africa, nearly 60 years after the
East African countries gained their Independence from the British, is a
testament to how much they serve our community. The club in Dar es Salaam
celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding, this past December, with
nostalgia drawing a lot of visitors back from all over the world
