Minister Gerlien Croes Addresses Students at IPA Academic Year Launch

Olive Tree Funeral Care & Crematory in Aruba has announced the passing of Richard Romeo Tromp. The announcement was shared through local news outlet Mas Noticia and includes an excerpt from Psalm 23 in Papiamento, a traditional passage of comfort frequently used in Caribbean funeral notices. The scripture reading — 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters' — reflects the religious customs common in Aruban funeral announcements. No further details regarding the age, cause of death, or surviving family members of Mr. Tromp were included in the published excerpt. Olive Tree Funeral Care & Crematory is a funeral services provider operating on the island of Aruba.

Aruba's AWE program has successfully completed its first professional training track, focused on barbering, graduating 11 young participants who received certificates upon finishing the practical course. The initiative operates under the motto of transforming talent into opportunity, as described by Minister Wendrick Cicilia, who oversees the program. AWE is designed to equip young Arubans with vocational skills that can lead directly to employment or entrepreneurship in the trades sector. The barbering track was chosen as a starting point given its low barrier to entry and strong local demand. The certificate ceremony marks a significant milestone for the program and signals that additional vocational tracks may follow. Minister Cicilia highlighted the graduation as proof that structured, hands-on training can create real pathways out of unemployment for youth on the island.

Centro di Bario Noord, a neighborhood community center in Aruba, is calling on residents and community members to step up as volunteers to support the well-being and development of the Noord district. The center is actively recruiting individuals who have an interest in contributing to local community life. The initiative reflects a broader effort to boost civic participation and grassroots engagement at the neighborhood level. By mobilizing volunteers, the center aims to strengthen the social fabric of Noord and address community needs more effectively. The call to action is open to all residents who wish to play an active role in shaping their neighborhood.