Pastor Marcel Balootje: Your Faith in God Will Sustain You

Aruba's Santa Rosa department presented Minister Wever with an educational poster featuring the names of local fish species written in Papiamento, the native language of the ABC islands. The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote reading and literacy among Aruban youth, drawing on the local proverb 'the more you read, the wiser you become.' By creating learning opportunities rooted in local culture and language, the department aims to make education more accessible and relevant to young Arubans. The use of Papiamento in educational materials reinforces cultural identity while encouraging a love of reading. The gesture to the minister signals an effort to gain institutional support for expanding this type of culturally grounded educational outreach.

The University of Aruba (UA) hosted its annual O'Days orientation event on August 18 and 19, welcoming more than 381 new students to campus. The two-day event was designed around themes of connection, culture, and community, giving incoming students a chance to familiarize themselves with university life and each other. The O'Days tradition serves as a formal introduction to the academic environment, helping new students transition from secondary education into higher learning. The strong turnout reflects continued demand for higher education on the island and signals a healthy incoming class for the university. The event marks the start of a new academic year for UA, one of Aruba's primary institutions of higher learning.

The University of Aruba (UA) welcomed more than 268 new students during its annual O'Days orientation event, held on August 18 and 19. The two-day event marked the official start of the new academic year for incoming students. O'Days serves as an introduction to university life, helping new students get acquainted with the institution, its programs, faculty, and fellow classmates. The turnout reflects continued interest in higher education on the island. The University of Aruba plays a central role in developing local academic talent and providing professional training for the workforce of Aruba and the broader Caribbean region.