WILLEMSTAD - The sixth edition of CURA DOET was launched last year, on November 10. This year, CURA DOET had not one but two mottos. In addition to the original motto "Dun'un man, gan’un kurason! (win a heart by giving a helping hand) there was also, "Bo yudansa pa un sonrisa" (Your help for a smile). With this, CURA DOET wanted to emphasize the value of volunteering and what it means for those who were helped.

The bar was set very high after the success of last year's 5-year anniversary. How much can the largest volunteer campaign in Curaçao be bigger? Edition number six has proven that there is no sign of stopping! Curaçao Cares, the engine behind the initiative, in collaboration with the Oranje Fonds and Reda Sosial, looks back with a lot of satisfaction to the last six years.

This year again many organizations have responded to the call to participate and this edition also welcomed many new organizations. A total of 6,500 volunteers once again put up their sleeves to do 340 jobs. Many retirement homes and clubs have used this opportunity to organize activities that they cannot perform every day. Kas Hugenholtz has organized a fantastic "Beach Party" for the 68 residents. A "Real beach" was laid out with beach sand, umbrellas and a swimming pool to add to the atmosphere. A complete day of pampering with music, sports and games, massage, aqua zumba class and BBQ.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has helped a scouting campground which was in desperate need of some cleaning. They needed to grass to be trimmed, some trees removed, and others pruned. The entire place received a facelift.

Again, many schools participated to eliminate overdue maintenance, what a major necessity. Kolegio Sta. Clara, Kolegio Nechi Pieters, Kolegio Santa Maria, Kolegio Hoben Positivo, Kolegio Dodo Palm, Pedro Luis Brion primary school, Casa Cuna Villa Maria are just a few of the more than 40 schools that participated.

Museums, cultural organizations and nature organizations were also well represented.

In these difficult financial times, the sixth edition gives hope that there will be at least NAF 350,000 donated to civil society organizations and about 26,000-man hours to realize all 340 projects during these two days.