Giving back to the island we love. Easy AND fun?
It’s not always easy to put time aside for something that won’t directly benefit you.
Especially things that don’t necessarily sound “fun”. Not because we’re bad people, but because life is just so busy as is. Between work, home life, social life, and taking care of our health, there isn’t much room for anything else. Volunteering is one of those things that gets put on the back burner. Personally, I have never participated in a volunteer program. But as a mom, and seeing how my 5-year-old looks up to me, I’m starting to see why it is important to give back to the community and for him to witness it. Doing something good just for the sake of doing something good has a way of shifting perspective. It builds patience and empathy and gives a sense of purpose.
I had a conversation with Paulien from CEDE ARUBA, and she gave me great insights into the world of volunteering on the island. CEDE ARUBA is a bridge between volunteers, social foundations, organizations, and sponsors. Social foundations approach CEDE ARUBA not only for funds but also for advice. They also support neighborhood centers.
Isn’t volunteering just beach clean-ups?
Paulien has been at CEDE ARUBA for about 6 years now. When she started the job, she noticed that many people in Aruba recognized only beach clean-ups, animal projects such as the Donkey Sanctuary, and animal shelters as volunteering opportunities. There is actually so much more... Aha! A lightbulb went off! That’s when she initiated Aruba Volunteers, a website where organizations and foundations can post their projects, and volunteers can apply to help.
Think about helping during events, joining the board of an organization, helping with gardening projects, or playing dominoes with the elderly. Projects don’t need to be big to be listed. Aruba guests can register as volunteers and can mark their preferences, for example, “enjoys working with kids”. This will then add you to a volunteer pool, and you will be notified if a project is available. Of course, you should also check the website for other opportunities, and also social media (CEDE ARUBA Facebook & CEDE ARUBA Instagram).
Aruba Doet!
One of the most popular volunteer projects on the island actually started in the Netherlands. “NL Doet”, an initiative of Oranje Fonds, is the largest volunteer event in the Netherlands. This was then brought to the Dutch islands. DOET is now the largest volunteering event in the Caribbean, too! Public campaigns across the islands are a way to shine a light on volunteering and raise awareness of its importance in communities. It is also a lower-barrier event for people to try volunteering. Aruba Doet is the perfect opportunity for locals and guests to get their volunteering toes wet. Get to know the organizations, experience what volunteering is like, and maybe, it’ll become something you do more regularly.
To participate, organizations, schools, and sports clubs must be registered with the Chamber of Commerce, and their project should be simple enough to be completed in 1-2 days by non-professionals. Think painting, yard work, etc. CEDE ARUBA ensures these projects are well organized, thereby providing a positive volunteer experience for first-timers.
Volunteer project in the spotlight
Another fun volunteering opportunity is at the Design Academy Aruba. You can join a workshop ($20 to participate) to create a partially-fabricated product made of clay, for example, a coffee mug, which is then completed by someone with mental and/or physical disabilities. It’s fun, you get to learn something new, meet the locals and other guests, and give back to our local community! These mugs are then sold at the cruise terminal, and the profits go to Trampolin pa Trabao ‘a leap towards work’. The primary goal of Trampolin pa Trabou is to find employment for people with limitations aged 17 and up. Often, these people are capable of working but have difficulty entering the labor market.
Final words from Paulien
If you really want to experience Aruba, join the locals! Volunteering is a great way to connect, and you’ll get to look behind the scenes of who we are as people. It’s truly a unique experience. Yes, guests can register for Aruba Doet, but that is only 2 days a year. Regular volunteering is perfect for timeshare owners here every year, and a great opportunity to give back to Aruba. You can register on arubavolunteers.org to volunteer on projects specifically for guests. But you can also register for weekly activities, such as nature cleanups. Check the website for new projects posted regularly!
Volunteering may not be the thing you’ll look forward to most on vacation, but I promise you it will have the most impact. Not only on you, but on the community and the island. And honestly, it’s one of the simplest ways to make a difference without needing money, status, or a big platform. Just time, effort, and simply showing up. Volunteering helps protect what makes the island special, its nature, culture, and sense of community. The best feeling is not leaving Aruba as you found it, but being able to say, I was part of making it better! So, what do you say? Shall we make a pact and try volunteering this year?
Oh, btw, if you don’t mind me asking…
Do you promise?
Do you want to go the extra mile and show true love for our island? Follow our guidelines for responsible guest behavior in our home. Help us protect the island we all love. Will you make the promise?
