ORANJESTAD, Aruba – Aruba Youth Helpline 131 recorded a total of 10,481 contacts during 2025 through its telephone, email, chat, educational programs, projects and website, according to an extensive overview released by Fundacion Telefon pa Hubentud “131.”
The foundation was established on April 26, 1999, and has spent more than 26 years providing children and young people with a place where they can ask questions, receive information and express their thoughts and feelings.
The service is designed primarily for people between the ages of 8 and 24 and operates on an anonymous and confidential basis.
Young people can contact 131 through the telephone number 131, the 131 Chat App, email and the organization’s website, 131.aw. Through these different channels, children and young adults can seek advice, information and emotional support on issues affecting their daily lives.
The organization also works directly within the community. In addition to its telephone and online services, 131 provides lectures, workshops and preventive projects at schools and other locations where activities for children and young people take place.
According to the foundation, it currently offers 26 different topics through its lectures, workshops and preventive projects.
The main objective of Aruba Youth Helpline 131 is to provide information, guidance and preventive support through telephone services, online communication and outreach activities. The organization seeks to reduce problems affecting children and young people by providing accessible support before situations become more serious.
Through this working model, young people can receive preventive information, advice and emotional support on a wide range of youth-related topics 24 hours a day.
The foundation explained that its organizational approach has been guided by its Beleidsvisie 2021–2025, “Investering in de Goedheid.” Its organizational values are also based on the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.
131 describes itself as a circular organization. This means that the foundation first listens to what children and young people are experiencing and then uses that information to develop lectures, workshops or projects that respond to those needs.
Once a program has been developed, its effectiveness is evaluated. If the initiative proves successful, it can later be implemented on a broader scale.
The organization’s services are no longer limited only to Aruba. Since 2022 and 2023, children and young people in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba have also been able to contact 131 by telephone.
Successful educational and preventive initiatives may therefore be introduced across Aruba as well as the Caribbean Netherlands islands served by the organization.
Based on more than 26 years of experience, knowledge and professional development, 131 says it has become recognized as a knowledge center in youth care.
Its areas of expertise include providing information, advice, emotional support and guidance to children and young people, conducting youth outreach, understanding how cultural and ethnic factors influence youth behavior, and encouraging young people to participate actively in their own development.
The foundation emphasizes that it does not only share existing knowledge but also creates new knowledge through its work and experience with young people.
During 2025, 131 also continued sharing its expertise with organizations and partners elsewhere in the region.
The reported 10,481 contacts in 2025 were generated through the various tools used by the foundation, including telephone calls, email, chat, lectures, workshops, projects and website interactions.
The figure demonstrates the broad reach of Aruba Youth Helpline 131 and the continuing demand for confidential, accessible and preventive support for children and young people.
Fundacion Telefon pa Hubentud 131 indicated that additional information about its activities, development and impact will be presented in future reports.
