WILLEMSTAD - The Kinderoorden Brakkeput Foundation is being forced to close its doors after years of significant subsidy cuts. The organization, dedicated to providing intensive support for boys with complex issues, can no longer sustain itself financially following a 50% reduction in its subsidy over the past five years. The foundation’s board has decided to transfer all clients and staff to the Fundashon Guia, Eduká i Forma (FGEF) in Santa Rosa as of January 1.
In 2018, the foundation received more than 1.8 million guilders in government subsidies, but this amount has gradually been reduced to just 900,000 guilders this year. Despite repeated warnings and letters to the government, the institution has been unable to withstand the drastic decrease in financial support.
Transition
The clients and staff of Kinderoorden Brakkeput will be transferred to FGEF, which also manages facilities like Huize St. Jozef, Kas Bruder Pius, and Huize Rose Pelletier. According to the government, this transition aligns with policies to consolidate care facilities for more efficient management and lower costs. FGEF offers a wide range of services, including care for young children with social and psychological issues, girls from unsafe environments, and temporary housing for teenage mothers in need.
Kinderoorden Brakkeput had a capacity for 52 boys aged six to eighteen, providing intensive guidance for youth facing developmental delays and behavioral challenges. The goal was to prepare these boys for independent functioning within society. The facility also had special accommodations for emergency cases.
The closure of Kinderoorden Brakkeput marks a setback for youth care in Curaçao, which has already been under pressure due to budget cuts.