WILLEMSTAD - On Saturday, November 2, Curaçao’s largest volunteer initiative, CURA DOET, kicked off for the twelfth consecutive year. In a new development, the upcoming DOET days will, for the first time, be held on different dates across all islands and in the Netherlands. “It was a difficult decision,” says Vicky Trinidad, project manager of CURA DOET. Once the decision to shift dates has been made, it will be a lasting change. Following careful discussions with the Netherlands and the other DOET islands, including Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, it was decided that starting in 2025, DOET days will move to May. CURA DOET will once again bring people together on May 16 and 17, 2025, with its familiar motto, “Give a hand, gain a heart!”
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Curaçao Cares is organizing CURA DOET for the twelfth year in a row, in partnership with the Oranje Fonds. Since the first event in 2014, CURA DOET has been an overwhelming success, with hundreds of volunteers each year helping local community organizations, including community centers, schools, sports clubs, and daycare centers. For this twelfth edition, Curaçao Cares aims to celebrate the milestones achieved over the past eleven years. The organization will again focus on the CURA DOET Youth Ambassadors, a program started last year that emphasizes raising awareness about volunteerism among youth.
Looking Ahead to CURA DOET Edition #12
In the upcoming twelfth edition of CURA DOET, the organization will once again emphasize the importance of introducing youth to volunteerism at a young age. Last year, Curaçao Cares partnered with the Happy Villa Enrichment Center to launch the "CURA DOET Youth Ambassadors" campaign. This year, the campaign will continue, led by young volunteers from the Happy Villa Enrichment Center. Through sharing their personal experiences, the CURA DOET ambassadors aim to inspire others about the importance and joy of volunteer work.
Each Year, Community Organizations Can Count on Support from Volunteers
Each year, social and community organizations can rely on the support of both returning and new volunteers, including students, company employees, service club members, and many groups of families and friends. Many volunteers even stay actively involved with the organizations they signed up for during CURA DOET. Besides promoting social engagement and community cohesion, a great deal is achieved in these two days with minimal financial investment, thanks to material donations from individuals. The thousands of volunteer hours contributed over the past 11 years have held enormous economic value. Moreover, the financial support given to participating community organizations provides an annual economic boost to Curaçao’s society. For many, CURA DOET has become indispensable.
Sign Up for Projects and Activities
Social organizations and charities can now register their projects on the website www.curadoet.com or by contacting Curaçao Cares at curadoet@curacaocares.org. Project registration is open until January 25, 2025. If a foundation or association lacks the funds to carry out a project, the Oranje Fonds offers a contribution of up to ANG 1,100, for example, for materials or transportation, which can be requested via the website. Act quickly, as availability is limited.
Once all the projects are registered, starting January 26, 2025, anyone can choose a project and lend a hand during the CURA DOET weekend on May 16 and 17, 2025. Individuals, companies, schools, families, friend groups, and sports teams are all invited to sign up and pitch in. Companies can support this national action by providing services or products free of charge or at a discount. For schools, CURA DOET is a perfect opportunity to introduce students to volunteer work. All of Curaçao is joining in—are you?