Dancy and Harold D’Souza are a living role model of a happy arranged marriage. True to believe, Dancy and Harold are celebrating 10,227 days which is 1,456 weeks, or 336 months, i.e. 28 years of joyful marriage journey on May 29, 2022. They were happily married on May 29, 1994.
Sister Therese DelGenio, Sisters of Mount Notre Dame de Namur, USA shared her personal feelings;
“My first encounter with this amazing couple was a horrible, yet GRACED experience.
Let me explain. When I moved to Cincinnati, my religious community and I committed ourselves to learn about and to work toward eradicating human trafficking in any form, but especially labor and sex trafficking. We enlisted the support of eight other religious orders who met regularly for on-going education. It was to such a meeting, that a social worker brought Harold and Dancy to share their story and to give “a face to local labor trafficking.”
They spoke with such honesty about the abuse they and their two little boys Bradly and Rohan experienced at the hands of a ruthless trafficker who even hired someone to assassinate Harold! I was moved to tears at hearing what each suffered and was amazed at the many ways Harold and Dancy supported each other throughout the ordeal while doing their best to care for and to protect their sons. As soon as they were freed from their trafficker, Dancy and Harold volunteered their services at their parish church and inculcated the value of volunteering to help others into their sons. They have grown into such remarkable men, so gifted and generous.
It came as a surprise to me later on to learn that Harold and Dancy were in an arranged marriage. I realized that such good-hearted, talented, spiritual people had moved beyond “an arrangement” to a deep, loving and faithful relationship. I was GRACED by their story, their creation of a stable family life, their devotion to Bradly and Rohan, and especially, their friendship with me and my religious community.
Over the years, we have worked together to end human trafficking, but Harold and Dancy have taken their story and hope to a national, even international level. We have prayed together, shared meals together, celebrated and cried together because the bond between the two of them is so STRONG that it is ever inclusive. I am so GRACED to be a part of their family and to have them be an integral part of the Sisters of Notre Dane de Namur.
Happy 28th Anniversary, Dancy and Harold!!! May your love of and care for each other continue to grow and be richly blessed!
Marlene and Russ O’Brien, parishioners of Saint Saviour Church, Cincinnati, Ohio spoke, “Two special people are celebrating 28 years of marriage on May 29th, 2022. Harold and Dancy D’Souza are an inspiration and beautiful example of a loving couple to all of us in Cincinnati, Ohio USA.
Our family came to know this couple and their two boys Bradly and Rohan, when they joined our Saint Saviour Catholic Church parish. As our friendship grew, we learned of their faith, love and courage for each other as they struggled to be free of a work trafficker. Harold is such a devoted husband and father that he literally put his life on the linefor his wife and children. Dancy is his support and champion. We have been blessed to share our culture, our faith, and our families with each other.
For my part, I truly marvel at the devotion and commitment Harold and Dancy have for each other. As a very independent thinking American woman, I am in awe of their story of an arranged marriage that has blossomed into such a beautiful love story.Happy Anniversary and God Bless, Harold and Dancy”.Love, Marlene and Russ O’Brien and family
N. S. Loomba from New Delhi, India Ex-Vice President of NUWUD Ltd. shared; “Summer of 1990-91 saw my colleague Vijay Motwani and myself camping in Ahmedabad for the selection of our Sales & Marketing team in Gujarat. After meeting several candidates for the post of Area Sales Manager we were struck by the raw appeal, grit, and courage of Harold who was then if my memory does not play tricks selling Televisions.
That day we embarked on a journey which has been one of the major milestones in the history of Wood Substitutes – Specifically MDF (Medium Density Fiber) in Western India.
Due to the large number of architects & Interior Designers in Gujarat having had exposure to US and UK markets the State fast emerged as one of the single largest volume generators nationally. Driven by the huge enthusiasm, hard work, dedication and above all the Gujarat Team Work with the distributor/dealer network and company sales force and office staff under Harold’s leadership.
Was my privilege to see Harold set up a beautiful home in one of the modern condominiums of Ahmedabad with a swank swimming pool.
Then arrived the day of May 29, 1994 when Harold and Dancy were joined in matrimonial bliss. Dancy gave Harold greater strength, impetus and courage to scale new heights in his career.
When October 1995 saw me leave the NUWUD MDF Family, there were only few team members Nationally who stood by my side –Harold D’Souza in the forefront with my secretary Rita Dhir, S. Dey, and Sayed Haq.
Harold gave my wife and me one of the best farewells any corporate manager can dream of hosting our flight tickets and hotels stay and what a farewell party with all NUWUD distributors and sales force of Gujarat, Daman, Diu, Silvassa.
Harold and Dancy saw, faced and overcame a journey of raw courage and success, spoke N. S. Loomba.
Bradly and Rohan are the pillars of our cheerful family life. Behind every smiling man is a caring, understanding, and affectionate lady, said Harold D’Souza.
Dancy is a native of Bolkunje, and Harold is a native of Bajpe, Mangaluru. Today Dancy and Harold D’Souza resident of Cincinnati, Ohio are the co-founders of Eyes Open International focused on prevention of human trafficking globally.