Frater Aurelio Students and Teachers Head to Denmark on EU Exchange

Curaçao officially launched the 'Salú Sin Miedu' (Health Without Fear) campaign on Saturday, September 26, with a community walk aimed at raising awareness about HIV and sexual health. The event brought together participants from across the island in a show of solidarity and public engagement. A central goal of the campaign is to combat the stigma and discrimination that often surrounds HIV and those living with the virus. By encouraging open conversation and community participation, organizers hope to shift public attitudes toward a more informed and compassionate understanding of sexual health. The campaign launch marks the beginning of what is expected to be a broader public health initiative on the island. Events like this walk are seen as critical tools in reducing barriers to testing and treatment that stigma can create. The initiative reflects a growing regional focus on sexual health education and community-driven health advocacy in the Caribbean.

On Sunday, a group of Iron Order motorcycle club members were on their regular weekend ride when they encountered an unusual incident near the kite surfing area in Saña, Curaçao. A flamingo suddenly ran onto the road and collided directly with one of the motorcycles. The incident occurred as the group passed a spot commonly used for kite surfing sports near Saña. Such weekend group rides are a routine activity for the Iron Order club members on the island. The collision between the large bird and the motorcycle was unexpected and out of the ordinary for the riders. While full details of any injuries to the rider or the flamingo are not yet confirmed in the available excerpt, the incident drew significant attention given its unusual nature. Flamingos are iconic birds in the Dutch Caribbean and their presence near roadways can pose unexpected hazards.

A minor in Curaçao was referred for treatment at Mental Health Caribbean (MHC) but never received care, with court proceedings revealing that a language barrier was the primary reason treatment never began. The case came to light during a hearing at the Korte — the local court — where it became clear that the young person's inability to communicate effectively in the language used by MHC staff was the critical obstacle. Mental health services in the Caribbean often operate in Dutch or English, while many residents, particularly younger people, primarily speak Papiamento. The failure to provide language-appropriate care to a minor raises serious concerns about accessibility and equity within the island's mental health system. The fact that this issue only surfaced in court suggests there may be a lack of institutional safeguards to catch and correct such gaps before they cause harm. The case highlights a broader systemic challenge: when public health services do not reflect the linguistic reality of the communities they serve, vulnerable individuals — especially minors — fall through the cracks.