WILLEMSTAD - CuraDoet celebrated its 10th lustrum this year on March 11. On March 10 and 11, 2023, the largest volunteer campaign in the Kingdom took place together with many social organizations. This year's slogan for CuraDoet is 'Dun'un man, gan'un Kurason!', which means 'Give hands to win a heart'. Beyond Kultura Events Foundation (BKEF) of Sint Maarten joined forces with Changing Habbits Foundation from Curaçao to carry out two complementary projects in Nieuw Nederland (NN), a characteristic multicultural neighborhood on the outskirts of East Willemstad.
A decaying part of the NN district was cleaned by family, friends and neighbors and during the festivities supported by volunteers of the First Caribbean Bank. The placed was beautifully transformed into a place where young people receive a positive message from the elderly in the district.
The artist-muralist Aemy Felicia-Niña Feliz has immortalized one of the deceased women of the neighborhood, Adelaida Morales who lived to be almost 102 years old, with a beautiful mural on a small square in Den Helderstraat, Nieuw Nederland. With her natural plants and prayer, she healed family and local residents. Her grandchild, Loekie Morales, president of BKEF, says “Using our positive powers and values to serve society and back to nature is the overall message of this mural.”
Rita Aikman, treasurer of Beyond Kultura reports: “This mural is the first of a series of murals that Beyond Kultura Events Foundation intends to achieve in and around our UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage city, Willemstad.”
Singer Veanira Reed, opened the festivities with the national Anthem. Neighborhood greats such as Esther Hooi, former Radio and TV presenter, Dr. Maria Liberia Peters, Ex-Minister President of the Netherlands Antilles, have spoken about growing up in that neighborhood. Mr. Luthmilda Larmonie, current Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) elaborated on government neighborhoods policy. Etienne La Cruz, first grandson of Adelaida Morales, unveiled the mural. Author drs. Loekie Morales and granddaughter, and great-granddaughter Faina Cathalina have spoken about the significance of this matriarch in their lives. The artist NiñaFeliz talked about her process of getting to know Adelaida Morales through the stories of her generations, in order to paint them.
Thanks to CuraDoet and families who are the financial engines, and to First Caribbean Bank volunteers and all local residents, who have supported these projects thoroughly, and who make our Curaçao more beautiful.
Photo credits Russell Bernadina.