Project 1-40

Finally, we confirm that as of October 1st we have started our final project (40), which will end December 20th 2026. This project showcases pre verbal speech therapist Pieternel Welles, who will continue working with around 30 children. She received all the necessary information from her predecessor Moniek and adding specialized therapy sessions for the children who have specific eating and drinking problems.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: 

As of January 1, 2027, Micky’s Foundation will discontinue the provision of all 3 discplines (pediatric physiotherapy, occupational therapy and pre verbal speech therapy). This decision, though difficult, is both necessary and long overdue. It is time for the Government of Aruba, the H.O. Hospital, and the AZV to finally assume full responsibility for safeguarding the therapeutic needs of the most vulnerable group of children on the island.

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MICKY'S FOUNDATION TA STOP: KEN LO TUMA E RESPONSABILIDAD?
 

Micky’s Foundation durante diesdos aña a contribui cu fondo priva y cu profesionalnan specialisa pa atende un necesidad di cuido cu actualmente ta wordo reconoci tambe den analisisnan nacional y den politica publico. Durante e ultimo añanan, diferente ruta pa logra un solucion local, institucional y temporal a wordo investiga y proba concretamente. Te cu awe, ningun di e rutanan aki a conduci na un solucion duradero, financia structuralmente y ancora institucionalmente pa e grupo aki di mucha.
 

Pa motibo di esaki, Micky’s Foundation lo termina definitivamente su rol como proveedor di cuido a partir di 1 di januari 2027. No pasobra e necesidad di cuido a desaparece, sino pasobra e siguiente fase no por consisti nuevamente di un solucion temporal organisa cu iniciativa priva. E siguiente fase mester trata di responsabilidad duradero, financiamiento structural, experticio specialisa y un borgamento firme di e cuido aki den sistema di salubridad di Aruba.
 

“Si mi cai na caminda, gara e bandera y sigui cu e lucha..."

Nos no a cai. No. Pero si nos a yega na e momento pa otro mannan tambe gara e bandera y hunto sigui cu e lucha.

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Micky’s Foundation will not stop to exist. On the contrary. We will continue to play a strategic role. We remain resilient and determined to advocate strongly for the rights and interests of these children and their families, whose needs have been neglected for far too long by official institutions. It has never been the responsibility of Micky’s Foundation, an initiative created by and for parents, to provide pediatric rehabilitation on a structural basis. That responsibility lies with the government and the AZV. Nevertheless, over the past eleven years we have stepped into this gap, reaching 230 children and providing approximately 26,000 hours of therapy, delivered by 76 pediatric therapists. All projects were organized by volunteers, all therapy was free of charge, and every initiative was financed by sponsors.​

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HOW WE HAVE ALWAYS WORKED

 

In Aruba, the situation in the field of therapeutic and medical assistance to children with a serious physical and/or cognitive disability is distressing and, due to its small scale, very inadequate. To provide a structural answer to this disturbing situation, Micky's Foundation was established at the end of 2014. We organize back-to-back projects of 3 months each, in which 2 therapists treat 40-45 children (at home or at school). They come as volunteers and work for an expense allowance. They are BIG registered and highly qualified to perform their paramedical activities for our target group in Aruba. Continuity of therapy is very important for the parents and children. In the period 2015-2026, Micky's Foundation has so far treated 230 children, with more than 25,000 free therapy hours, by 76 therapists. The reactions from parents are extremely positive, also because there is a cooperation with the locally treating therapists and we have started a lobby at the local health insurance company the AZV. The therapy is free. We do not receive any government subsidy. We depend on donations. The therapy is always given with the assistance of at least one parent, so they can learn to give (easy) therapy exercises to their child.

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Do you want to know more about our history and activities, please read the 'About us' section.