Division 26:

Our Kiwanis delegation meets with Aruban Governor General Fredis Refunjol.

Trade Winds

Our Trade Winds division is made up of ten clubs from the southern most regions of our great district. They include Suriname (South America) and the islands of Curaçao, Aruba and Martinique. Lieutenant Governor Bob Spellen is from Aruba and that is where we held our DCM.

Only 21 miles long, Aruba is one of the three islands that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. An aptly named Division, trade winds constantly caress the island gently blowing (and sometimes a little more then gently) away humidity and most flying insects.

Flying insects are not the only thing Aruba is devoid of. There is virtually no manufacturing, industry (apart from tourism), or agriculture on the island. What Aruba has in abundance are long white beaches, a modern, well developed tourism infrastructure and welcoming smiles from warm, inviting people.

President Patrick conducts a meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach.

We began our visit with an audience with Governor General Fredis Refunjol. Lieutenant Governor Bob Spellen, Kiwanis Club of Aruba President Jan Noodzij and Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach President Patrick Melchiors met Julia and I. Together we promoted Kiwanis discussed matters of volunteerism, education and tourism.

We joined President Patrick for his Palm Beach Club lunch meeting. There, we were brought up to date on club fund-raising and service projects.

That afternoon we went to a local High School, the Colegio Arubano. There we met and took part in the activities of the Key Club at Colegio Arubano. Enthusiastic Key Clubbers welcomed us and talked about their many activities.

The Key Club from Colegio Arubano

One Key Clubber reported that she was thrilled to have been selected to travel to the United States, part of a youth contingent, to meet with President Obama.

I know that all Kiwanians in Aruba will welcome her as a club speaker upon her return.

One of the highlights of our Aruban visit was chartering the first Aktion Club on the island.

In a moving installation ceremony, the Aktion Club Charter President gave a truly inspirational speech. What made it all the more significant is that she gave it in English, not speaking a word of English herself.

Sponsoring President Jan Noordzij, LG Bob Spellen and Governor Gary Levine take part in chartering the first Aktion Club in Aruba.

With her Advisor's help she painstakingly transcribed her entire speech (written in Dutch) and practiced delivering it in English. She did a marvelous job - one she can certainly be proud of.

That evening, to commemorate the start of our Division 26 DCM, we were entertained at the home of PLG John and Rita Every. Amidst the twinkling fairy lights around the movie-star swimming pool, with the glow of Oranjestad in the background, we met Kiwanians from all of the clubs in our Trade Winds Division.

The following morning we began our well-attended DCM.

DCM's in this Division are run like mini-conventions complete with simultaneous translation (supplied by GE Paul Toussaint). With members coming from Aruba, Curaçao, French Guiana, Martinique and Suriname, it takes a significant effort (and cost) for Kiwanians to make the trek to a given DCM.

Kiwanians from all over this spread out Division attend the DCM in Aruba.

To that end, training, club building and Divisional awards become important parts of their meetings.

The next day we went on an island tour, taking in many of the parks, and facilities that the Kiwanis clubs have contributed to.

GE Paul Toussaint and Governor Gary stand by one of the many signs testifying to the Kiwanis accomplishments in Aruba.

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