23 teens were dropped off at the entrance of MariniersKazerneSavaneta, our marine’s barracks, with the goal of participating in a Bootcamp organized to teach our teens about the military structure and discipline.
During the 24 hours that they spent at the military base, the focus was in the fundamental values that every member of the military forces uses in completing their tasks, namely solidarity, strength and dedication.
Since 2021, local association, AsociacionTrabao di Hubentudna Aruba (ATHA) has been hosting a program named Gen297, which is an afterschool program for every teen in secondary school. ATHA works alongside various partners like ArubaanseMuziekschool (the Aruban school of music), Ateliers ’89 (one of Aruba’s renowned art schools) and KNVB, which offers the program of World Coaches.
At the end of the program at MariniersKazerne, the parents of the teens, Director of ATHA Cyndi Kelly Mathilda, Regional Manager of Gen297 FrancheschaHeinze, guide for the group ReinhardBreinburg and volunteer Roberto Geerman were present at the closing ceremony along with the teens. During the weekend KNVB representative Johan van Geijn, who was in Aruba on a business trip, was present during the special moment.
ATHA extends their gratitude to MariniersKazerneSavaneta for their support to Aruba’s youth and to Stanley Menzo of KNVB for the help in making the bootcamp a reality and their continued support.