Background
1. Introduction of GAA
The Godavari Alumni Association or GAA as it is more popularly known was established in 1965 as a non-profit youth organization set up solely by the alumni and ex. Students of St. Xavier’s School, under the supervision of Jesuits priests.
GAA’s main focus throughout its existence has been to promote youth oriented activities in the various socio-economic and educational field, to work with the under privileged sector of Nepalese Society and to promote leadership and management skills of GAA members. For last 40 years, GAA has been the pioneer organization in various fields of activities such as education, health, social service and Nepalese arts & culture.
GAA is wholly a non-profit organization and is operated and managed entirely with donations received from benevolent members, generous well wishers and the members. All activities are usually sponsored by various establishments or self-sustaining. All members and volunteers alike share their time and expertise free of cost.
GAA, along with its social service wing The Social Action Volunteers, is based in Kathmandu with its offices at Thamel. GAA has an active Executive Committee with the President as the Chief Executive. Each executive committee is elected by members and has a term of 2 years. Mr. Alok Tumbahangphey, Batch of 1995, St. Xavier’s, Kathmandu. is the current president. GAA has a Jesuit Priest as the moderator; Father Dr. Gregory Sharkey S.J. is the moderator.
GAA has currently over 3000 members and over 250 volunteers. Once the students finish their schooling or the students who have graduated from our institutions eg St. Xavier’s Godavari, St Xavier’s Jawalakhel, St. Mary’s School and St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar are eligible to become a member of our Alumni and volunteer in the activities. GAA members represent the creme de` la crème of Nepali Society, with prominent members in almost all national and international arenas. The active volunteers are mostly fresh graduates of St. Xavier’s School,Godavari,St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, St. Mary’s and St. Xavier’s Campus. The member and voluntary cadre increase every year by almost 150.
2 Aims and Objective of GAA
The primary aim of GAA is to encourage its members to continue their loyalty to the ideals of their school days. Our motto is ‘Live for God, Lead for Nepal’. Further our aim is to provide hope and direction to young Nepali men and women. We want to guide their very great energy into healthy and productive channels, whereby they can serve others, and develop a lively sense of civic responsibility, while still enhancing their own skills and self-confidence.
In addition GAA also encourages its members to become fully human, truly modern, loyal citizens of Nepal and the world; to become open to God, the Nation and all men, showing this openness by service to those in need, and by being actively concerned about national and international development.