WILLEMSTAD – A growing movement on Curaçao is calling for the new residential facilities of Stichting Totolika to be named after its former chairperson, Aminta Sprockel, rather than former Member of Parliament America Thodé. The campaign began last month following an announcement by Health Minister Javier Silvania that the new buildings would bear Thodé’s name. 

In response, a petition was launched to urge Minister Silvania to reconsider. As of Wednesday of this week, the initiative had collected 10,102 signatures, which were officially submitted to the Curaçao government. 

Former Minister Omayra Leeflang is among the most vocal supporters of the petition. She described Sprockel as “a symbol of the fight for people with intellectual disabilities,” and stressed the importance of honoring her legacy. 

The petition argues that Sprockel co-founded Totolika with a group of parents, pioneering efforts for the recognition, inclusion, education, and care of people with intellectual disabilities. “Now that housing is being built with public funds for people with intellectual disabilities—a vision long championed by honorary chairperson Aminta Sprockel—this project should rightfully carry her name,” the petition states. 

Minister Silvania has not yet responded publicly to the petition or indicated whether the naming decision will be revisited.