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Monday 1 July 2019

Give Your Share of Happiness to Aruba’s Social Community

ORANJESTAD — Daniel Tecklenborg is the director of CEDE Aruba, a dy- youngsters do not travel often and experience boredom and lack of
namic community foundation, and supporting nonprofits in Aruba since activities during school vacations. Furthermore, 4 out of 10 Aruban
1986. They initiated a visitor charity program meaning that you can help youngsters do not finish secondary school. This is a very big issue for
build Aruba’s community strong by doing a donation to good causes. Aruba’s future economy and the tourism industry.
The Aruba Timeshare Association (Atsa) collaborates with them. This
Happy Community Initiative will be a platform for all visitors who would During a recent investigation, more than 60% of Aruba’s youth is asking
like to make a donation, but also volunteer in the future. The priority is for afterschool programs, aiming at sports, cooking, art programs and a
set to support projects for the Aruban youth. CEDE Aruba will make sure safe place to hang out with friends. More than 50 non-profit organiza-
that the donations reach meaningful projects of local non-profits and tions are motivated to contribute to a national program. Your donation
upon quality and transparent finances of the offered programs. This way will help us to start and support after school programs with a focus on
you can be assured that your donation will hit its goal! time for homework and diverse, meaningful activities. In addition, your
donation will support mentorship activities during school vacation and
One Happy Island – One Act of Kindness support projects aiming at youth at risk. Last but not least, your donation
With your donation you support the Aruban Youth with after school pro- will support projects that reduce the amounts of school dropouts and
grams, mentorship activities and social support. In the lobby of many create new opportunities for youngsters to integrate back in education
hotels you will soon find a Happy Community donation kiosk with ban- and to find a career in one of Aruba’s countless companies
ner where you can do your donation. The procedure is very simple and
the amount you decide for yourself. If you prefer you can also donate Get engaged, inspired and connected with our local community. Let’s
via the website on www.happycommunity.org. Every help is welcome build a bridge between community organizations and the tourism in-
and gives a little bit of happiness to our non-profits and their youth par- dustry. Let’s keep Aruba’s youth happy!q
ticipants. “We wish to engage our visitors and in the future also show
them the projects that are achieved with their donations. And eventu- Happy Community Initiative Aruba
ally give them the choice to participate too”, Tecklenborg explains. CEDE Aruba
Beatrixstraat 8
How Does it Help Aruban Youth Oranjstad
Millions of people around the world love Aruba, the ONE HAPPY ISLAND Aruba
and the home away from home! Tourism in Aruba is performing well. https://happycommunityaruba.org/
However, in Aruba, about 6 of 10 youngsters between the ages of 12 Phone: +297 582.7666
and 18 are alone or without adult supervision after school time. In most Email: info@happycommunityaruba.org
cases because their parents are working. In addition, many of Aruba’s