Thanks to the inherited momentum, the Catholic Club Orphans’ Trust continued its build-up of service to the Community. Perhaps the most significant development this year was the revival of the Tax exemption under Sec. 80 G. Under this certification, donations to the trust will now be exempt from 50% of Income tax. Under the guidance, and with the support of the President and Treasurer, Drs. Bobby Joseph and Pritesh Roshan organised no fewer than 5 medical camps. At the Club premises, and on location, and examined our Staff children, as well as those of the local Orphanages. About 300 in all. Twice over. Some issues were identified and we assisted with the after care. All those who attended these camps were given lunch and a good time at the Club when they were here. Also, after a long break, the good doctors gave us a well organised Blood donation Drive. This year, we also undertook tuition classes for children from these schools to improve the performance of the weaker students. The CCOT employed two teachers to go to these schools five evenings a week, and coach about twenty five students who need help. The budget for this activity is sizeable. Check the accounts to get an idea. Naturally more financial support is required if this activity is to continue. Several of these children were helped with books, stationary, and toiletry nick-knacks, complements of our well-wishers. Then of course there was the Annual Orphans’ Day programme that kicks off the Club’s Christmas celebration. This year too it was a whopping success with about 500 kids having a riot here in our premises, and each one going home with a hamper of substantial value. Thanks are due to our members efforts, and several well-wishers’ contributions, without which all this would not have been possible. I guess, our performance rating on all these counts was pretty good, considering there are only about ten activists driving the CCOT. Needless to say, if we had more volunteers, nobody would complain! Since we are reviewing the year’s goings on, with a view to looking ahead, it might be good to make a few observations. This year, our collection for the Christmas programme, was bigger than last year’s. Thanks largely to the efforts of members like Dudley Mascarenhas among others. However, when you compare the contribution of our own members, to what our guests and well-wishers have given us, introspection would be enlightening. Then again, even though the contributions from members was bigger than last year, the number of members who have contributed has gone down. Meaning that fewer members have given bigger donations, and that’s how we are getting by. Perhaps, we as a unit need to broad base our benefactors. While there are many who have offered to contact different organisations in the city for donations, now that Form 80 G is available, and this measure is necessary to improve the quality and quantity of our work, it’s worth asking, if this is the purpose of the CCOT. Merely to provide a channel for others’ generosity? Sure, what they share with us is more than welcome, but………? Again, does comparing the contribution from members only, to CCOT funds, against the turnover on entertainment bar and cafeteria, tell us something. There is no dearth of opportunity for CCOT’s growth in our Club life. With our base of 2,500 member families, we can rival the best in the city. What it does need is the money and volunteer service from more of us so we can do more. In closing, let’s make a noise for Alan Ming, Devika & Raphael Johnson, Drs. Bobby Joseph & Prithesh Roshan, Mavis Smith, Preeti Viegas, and of course Brian & Gavin, who have backed our every whim with grace and generosity.