Festive Inauguration Ceremony of Community Center Seru di Papaya

Read here the address given by Gregory Elias, Chairman and founder of Fundashon Bon Intenshon, on the occasion of the festive inauguration ceremony of the restoration of the Seru Fortuna community center ‘Seru di Papaya’ on Wednesday 12 March 2014:

“Good afternoon, mandatories Mrs Jeanne Marie Francisca and Mrs Irene Dick, Minister of Social Affairs and Welfare and Minister of Education, Sport, and Culture respectively, and invitees.

We are gathered together to celebrate the inauguration of this community center.

Every neighborhood or every village on Curaçao has its own community center. At least in theory. When taking a closer look at some neighborhoods and villages, however, one realizes that many still lack such an essential meeting place.

And those neighborhoods and villages that do have one, have to admit that their community center is in poor to very poor condition.

This was also the case here in Seru, where the ‘community center’ had degenerated into an abandoned building, in such a deplorable and dangerous condition that it was actually ready to be demolished.

Fundashon Bon Intenshon thought it was important to do something about it, just like it has done before with the sports facilities in Seru. The condition in which that is right now, is unique for Curaçao.

Why do we do this? One of the most important objectives of the Fundashon is to provide help and support in the broadest sense of the word in order to achieve sustainable development and well-being for the youth but also for the less fortunate people in our community.

How can one realize these objectives? In our humble opinion, by making development available, encouraging sports and cultural and social activities. After all, if someone feels mentally strong, and can think and act healthily even though his or her other living conditions are not what they should be, then you create stability and opportunities for your own sustainable development. And this community center, as it is now refurbished and decorated, offers all possibilities for its users to reach that level in all areas.  The children can now practice volleyball and basketball, elderly people can meet, children can do their homework, the latest IT facilities are available, the theater has been restored in all its glory, and social and cultural activities and gymnastics equipment are widely available.