The island has a high repeat visit factor, particularly among American travellers who make the island a regular winter haunt. Community service abounds on Aruba, with locals volunteering their time, energy, and skills to help many charities. Growing numbers of visitors are now also joining in, spending some of their holiday time helping worthwhile causes.
For those who want to take a break from the sun lounger, here are some of the opportunities to put something back into the life of Aruba.
The Aruba Reef Care Project is the best-known and largest volunteer environmental initiative on the island. Launched in 1994, it attracts more than 1,000 participants who every September scour the beaches and dive and snorkel various sites in a massive clean-up effort. Supported by public and private sector businesses, the Reef Care Project raises awareness of the importance of preserving the marine environment. For information, contact Castro Perez by e-mail: castroperez@gmail.com
Fundashon Turtugaruba was established in 2003 and is a member of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network. Turtugaruba volunteers know where to patrol to spot, monitor, and protect turtle nests, primarily at Eagle Beach, Boca Grandi, and Arikok National Park. Volunteers comb the beach during the season looking for nesting turtles so the area can be cordoned off and protected. E-mail enquiries to info@turtgaruba.org
Sponsor a Mile is a monthly initiative held during the third and fourth weeks of every month. Spearheaded by the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA), its members, including island hotels and activity companies, adopt a designated mile of beach, roadsides, and countryside to scour for debris. Staff volunteer their time to keep their island clean, and are often joined by eco-minded tourists.
Visitors can contact their hotel directly for information and dates, or contact Vanessa Rasmussen at AHATA by e-mail: at Vanessa@ahata.com
Donations and the work of volunteers are vital to the Aruba Animal Shelter, which aims to improve the lives of dogs and cats. Go to www.arubaanimalshelter.com for more information.
The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is supported entirely by donations and volunteer workers. Donkeys were first brought to Aruba by the Spanish 500 years ago, and there are still some 200 on the island today. Volunteers are welcome to help with the daily chores of feeding and cleaning or assisting with general maintenance and repairs. http://main.arubadonkey.org/portal/index.php/volunteers
FAVI offers a variety of services with the purpose of contributing to the wellbeing of the visually impaired and blind. It welcomes volunteers to help with craft classes and the outings. Contact Cetty Baarah on +297-582-5222 for more information.
www.aruba.com
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