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locAl Tuesday 26 May 2020
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Happy to Give Back reached $200k

ORANJESTAD — On April
9, 2020, CEDE Aruba
launched its “Happy to
Give Back” relief initiative
in response to the COV-
ID-19 pandemic, which has
brought Aruba’s only eco-
nomic pillar of tourism to a
complete stop. CEDE Aruba
has joined forces with sev-
eral local influencers who
are helping to support the
cause. The foundation is
very excited to announce
that they have hit the $200k
mark. So many local and
international friends are
helping the Happy to Give
Back initiative reach its
$1M. result, thousands of peo- of Aruba. “We know these
ple have already lost their are hard times for every-
The whole world has been jobs and many more will. one. Yet, we also know
deeply affected by COV- According to projections how many people love our
ID-19 and everyone every- (Standard and Poor’s), Aru- island and would like to re-
where is doing what they ba will be one of the most turn shortly. This is why we
can to overcome these affected economies in the encourage you to make
difficult times. We hope world. a small donation. All do-
that you, reading this now, nations will support volun-
are well and safe. Aruba, The Initiative. teer projects and initiatives
known as ‘One happy Is- CEDE Aruba, established that will benefit our shared
land’ and your ‘home in 1986, is a local commu- love; Aruba. All donations
away from home’ is unfor- nity foundation that sup- go 100% to: Foodbanks &
tunately no exception. Af- ports many non-profits and Vulnerable Groups who will
ter the closing of our bor- volunteer projects on our fund local food banks and
der, tourism has come to a island. With this #happy- warm meals for Aruba’s in complete isolation, chil- munity who have lost their
complete halt (roughly 1.2 togiveback platform they vulnerable groups, espe- dren, and the thousands jobs due to COVID-19.” q
million visitors a year). As a now reach out to all friends cially the elderly, people of people in the local com- www.happytogiveback.com

Sea turtle conservation by Turtugaruba Foundation

ORANJESTAD — Turtugaruba was founded on nesting activities.
September 3rd, 2003 by a group of enthusias- There are 4 different sea turtle species that visit
tic volunteers. Ten years earlier, in 1993, a Sea Aruba to lay their eggs, each with their own
Turtle Recovery Action Plan (STRAP) was intro- specific season:
duced in Aruba and the rest of the Caribbean – Leatherback Sea Turtle – Lederschildpad –
as an initiative of the United Nations Environ- Driekiel (March – September)
ment Program (UNEP). Tom Barmes, who was – Loggerhead Sea Turtle – Dikkopschildpad –
working at DLVV (Department of Agriculture, Cawama (May – September)
Husbandry and Fishery) was one of the writ- – Hawksbill Sea Turtle – Karetschildpad – Caret
ers of the STRAP for Aruba, together with Karen (June – December)
Eckert, director of WIDECAST (Wider Carib- – Green Turtle – Soepschildpad – Turtuga Blan-
bean Sea Turtle Conservation Network). This is co (July-November)
how sea turtle conservation started on the is- Sea turtles play a vital role in keeping our
land following a plan that is still complied with oceans healthy. The Green Turtle, for exam-
today. ple, keeps the sea grasses on the bottom of
the sea short and therefore a healthy place
Tom formed a group of volunteers around him, for many fish to deposit their eggs. The Leath- • Do not drive on beaches.
because nature does not know office hours, erback, the largest turtle of the world, eats • Do not litter. Do not leave any plastic cups,
like an organization such as DLVV. This group mainly jellyfish and helps maintain the bal- straws or bags on the beach.
of volunteers used the name Widecast Aruba ance between jellyfish and plankton. Despite • Remove obstacles from the beach.
and today there are still a few of them active. the threats that exist on Aruba, the turtles still • Do not disturb a nesting sea turtle.
They first started protecting the Leatherback keep coming. • Do not attempt to touch the turtle but stay
Sea Turtle nests on Palm Beach and Eagle Turtugaruba Foundation reported that may at a respectful distance (at least 10 me-
Beach. This group also investigated which 14th Aruba had its first 2020 Leatherback ters).
other species of sea turtles use Aruba as their hatchling. Therefore it is of great importance • Do not take a turtle out of the water
nesting habitat and which beaches are used to keep our beaches clean throughout the • Do not feed the turtles
by them. For a period of 25 years a study has year in order to help provide sea turtles with a • Do call Turtugaruba (24 hour Turtle Hotline:
been conducted in which every early morn- clean nesting environment. (297) 592-9393).
ing the beach was being monitored in which What you can do to protect the sea turtles For more information visit the Facebook page
now there is a good overview of sea turtle • Lights out for sea turtles. Turtugaruba Foundation.q