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Saturday 18 January 2020

Happy Community Initiative supports qualified

after-school programs
“This program helped me in everything,

it built me strong”

more easily to someone of my age than
an older person telling me what to do.”
ORANJESTAD — Alexa Perez Vallecilla, 18, participat-
ed in the after-school program of the Heart-Centered She has been with the foundation for four
Leadership Foundation (HCLF) which is based in San years, now. “They completely changed
Nicolas. The Happy Community Initiative (HCI) is look- my life with this program. Every day you
ing for your support to help more youngsters on our need to evaluate your day and think of
island stay on the right track by setting up these quali- what you did that makes you a better per-
fied after-school programs. “This program is meant for son. I analyze much more now and think
students that have certain difficulties at school. They of what I say before speaking.” To work
have concentration issues and loss of focus, due to ei- in a team is another important asset she
ther a disturbed domestic situation or certain traumas has learned. “I was pretty dominant and
they went through in the past.” because I am creative, I most times took
everything in my hand. I have learned to
For Alexa, her home situation was problematic, and share responsibilities now and leave space
she felt left alone. “I was raised by my grandmother in for others. It helps me in everything, it built
Colombia and I was sent here to my mom’s at the age me strong!”
of 11. But my lifestyle was completely different than
hers, and we had many arguments. At school, I did Her advice to other young people is to
not speak the language and I had to learn three new accept your flaws. Be open to help that
languages which are Papiamento, Dutch and English. is being offered. “Many times our parents
It was so hard because the teachers only spoke those say they do not want the same life for you
languages, and I only knew Spanish.” She felt alone as they had and want something better.
again and it was difficult for her to connect to other Listen to them, they say it out of love. Do
students. “I felt pressure at home as well as at school.” not hide in stubbornness and rebellion.
HCLF was there to help as they were collaborating Strive to better yourself.”q
with the school (Colegio Santo Filomena) to support
youngsters like Alexa in their struggle.
Our Newest
It’s all about mindset
“I was very outspoken and expressed myself in a strong Column is All
way, which made others understand me wrong. I also
talked too much,” Alexa says. HCLF helped her take about YOUth and
things in another way. “My attitude has its origin from
my Latin culture, we have temperament and raise Happiness
voice easily.” The after-school program was offered
to certain students that were selected by the teach- ORANJESTAD — Our newest column
ers. “Initially I felt embarrassed to receive such an in- Happy Community Initiative is published
vitation because it seemed like something was wrong bi-weekly on Thursdays in Aruba Today.
with me. That I was a rebel, an outcast.” The program We inform you about this dynamic, new
was twice a week at school and she decided to projects from a different angle to give
continue although in the beginning she found it a bit you a complete feel, so follow us and
strange. “There were these role playing games which stay engaged!
occurred childish to me, but then they explained the
idea behind it and it is actually amazing. It works psy- The Happy Community Initiative is a visitor charity program that you can help
chological and makes you look at things in a different strengthen Aruba’s community by donating to good causes. CEDE Aruba, a dy-
way. It is all about your mindset.” The foundation also namic community foundation, the Aruba Timeshare Association (ATSA), the Aruba
provides meals for the students and their mentors are Tourism Authority and several companies collaborate in this platform for visitors who
constantly present to work with the students. “Some would like to make a donation, but also volunteer in the future. The priority is set to
students left the program not to come back, but I per- support projects for Aruban youths. CEDE Aruba will make sure that the donations
sisted and it had its effect on my life in a very positive reach meaningful projects of local non-profits, based upon quality and transparen-
way. It showed me the right direction and I see that cy of finances of the offered programs. In this manner, you can be assured that your
others are disoriented in life while I am happy. I took donation will reach its goal! With your donation, you support Aruban children with
another path.” She achieved diplomas of certified after school programs, mentorship activities and social support. You can donate
leadership courses which are internationally acknowl- at the kiosks in the lobby of several hotels (Costa Linda, Playa Linda, Casa del Mar,
edged and doors were opened to her that she did Paradise Beach Villas and La Cabana) or you can donate on the website: https://
not imagine could happen in her life before. “This or- happycommunityaruba.org/donate.Goal is to raise $110K to set up the program, at
ganization is great because youngsters teach young- this moment $4227.00 is collected. Help us reach our goal!
sters. They are training them to be leaders and help
other teens which is effective because I relate way Copyright CEDE Aruba