In an interview with the Dutch Annelot Muijres, founder of the foundation Ajudo na Aruba meaning helping Aruba, Aruba Today heard about the growing poverty of the local people due to the COVID-19 crisis and the financial situation on the island. “We feed 10.000 people on a monthly bases, a growing part are Arubans and pregnant women”, says Muijers who started to reach out after the stories that surfaced of people not having any food on the table. “The poverty is growing and social problems arise from it.”
FANA notices that more Aruban locals have no savings left anymore, are awaiting the promised financial support from the Government of Aruba (GOA) and are still unemployed because of the crisis. All this together makes life a struggle. Annelot: “We also see an increase in pregnant women, the so-called carnival babies, asking for support. And also people that are evicted from their homes due to rent arrears.” Teachers approach her to express their preoccupations about students because of the growing poverty and social problems. “We get in more and more requests from families for school materials.”
Refugees
FANA collaborates with HIAS, a Jewish American nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees. Muijres informed Aruba Today before that she estimates there are between 25.000 and 30.000 illegals on the island. The total (legal) population of Aruba is about 106.000 inhabitants. “These refugees have no medical insurance, no jobs and are in immediate need of food and baby milk.” The Arubahuis, the official representative of Aruba in the Netherlands, recently announced to support FANA by advertising online how to donate to the foundation. “We can use all the help there is, the registrations keep pouring in.”
Volunteer power
Muijres started this initiative by preparing home-cooked meals from her home, but she soon realized this was not enough. The grassroots organization became an official foundation with president Annelot Muijres, secretary Lizzy Jansen and treasurer Xander Muijres. They help all people in need, not only by providing meals or groceries, but also support in basic necessities like diapers, baby formula, soap etc. “We are doing this all with the love and the help of our fantastic volunteers. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. The project depends on the tremendous effort of you, the volunteers, as you make this work a success. You work long days and take precious time away from your own families to help Ajudo na Aruba to reach out,” Muijres says. If you would like to join their fantastic team, please contact the organization through the contact page on their website. Have a look at Aruba Today’s video about the foundation on our Facebook page and website: Corona Street Talk – Ajudo na Aruba https://www.facebook.com/arubatoday/videos/2315084928799246/.
