ATHA, Trabao di Hubentud na Aruba, ATHA is an association of 48 member organizations working with children and youngsters in Aruba.
Its main goal is to contribute to youth welfare here by providing training activities in cultural, educational, and recreational areas.
In 2019, ATHA submitted a Youth Report of Aruba, for the first time, to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, Switzerland.
This research on secondary school youngsters here reported on their knowledge of the committee, and their opinion whether their rights are being respected or violated her. The report also wanted to gage their interest in afterschool activities.
The research showed that most youngsters, 60.1%, with an almost equal number of boys and girls, were interested in participating in afterschool activities. The top-3 activities chosen were sports, 28.4%; music, dance, theatre, 17.1%, and spending time with friends, 17.0%.
55% of the students indicated they prefer to participate in these activities in community centers and clubs over school facilities, 30.0%.
Towards the end of 2019 the board of ATHA decided that ATHA will start and coordinate an afterschool program for secondary school students, named Gen297.
The Gen297 program is designed to fill the need for an afterschool program for secondary school students. ATHA will operate in accordance to a network model, meaning, ATHA will purchase services from different NGOs and coordinate these activities in such a way that a smooth-running program will be developed at different locations on the island.
In this way, existing facilities, infrastructures, and services could be optimally used. Gen297 started in May 2021, as a first year pilot. Locations include, Brazil Community Center, Centro di Bario Brazil, with 2 groups of 20-30 students each lead by professionals and volunteers.
We are inviting the community to help us.
Adopt a youngster to be part of this program, with a monthly payment of AWG 125, during nine months, August 2021 – April 2022.
This amount will cover, the activity, materials and a daily warm meal.
Gen297 will be open for students from 1:30 – 5:30pm, at 2:00pm a warm meal will be served, with homework from 3:00 to 4:00pm, then optional activities until 5:30pm, sports, art, and more, offered by several NGOs who bring their services to the location.
Monthly payment for transportation is an additional AWG. 50, for 9 months; August 2021 – April 202
The total sum is AWG. 175, per participant.
Following the financial impact of COVID-19, parents find it hard to pay the monthly amount, furthermore, most parents work “Pabao di brug,” in Oranjetad, which means children are home alone, unsupervised.
Please support the project, stand up for the community and for the future of youth, we approach you to be a part of this initiative.
For further detail you may call regional manager Franchesca Heinze by email: [email protected] or via her mobile phone 564- 5060.
Yours sincerely, Cyndi Kelly-Mathilda Director ATHA
ATHA Caya Appeldam 2, Dakota, Aruba Tel.: (297) 5823773
E-mail: [email protected]
CMB Bank account #15832309
Asociacion Trabao di Hubentud na Aruba
Since May 20th, 1986.
K.v.K. no. 27890.0 2