ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Aruba Back to School Project helped 100 children prepare for the new academic year through school supplies, health education, recreational activities and free haircuts.
The 2026 initiative brought together Red Cross Aruba, Kiwanis Club of Aruba, Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach and Kiwanis Club of San Nicolas around a shared goal of giving children a positive start to school.
The activity took place at Centro di Bario Dakota, where approximately 100 children participated in a full programme centred on education, wellbeing, physical activity and friendship.
Children Receive School Supplies
Providing children with the materials needed for school formed an important part of the project.
Organisers wanted participating students to begin the academic year with essential supplies while also feeling supported by the wider community.
Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach has long included back-to-school assistance among its community projects. The organisation says the programme focuses particularly on children whose families may have difficulty obtaining all the supplies needed for the school year.
The 2026 collaboration expanded that support by combining resources from several service organisations.
Health and Hygiene Included in Programme
The project went beyond distributing school materials.
Children participated in an interactive presentation covering personal hygiene, health and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle.
Directie Volksgezondheid assisted with the health component, presenting information in a simple and entertaining way adapted to the age of the children.
The objective was to help participants understand that preparing for school also involves taking care of their physical wellbeing.
Good hygiene habits can become especially important when students return to classrooms and spend more time in close contact with classmates.
Sports and Games Encourage Active Lifestyle
Sports, games and recreational activities also formed part of the programme.
Children had opportunities to move, play together and participate in group activities throughout the day.
Organisers said these activities were intended to encourage teamwork, friendship and healthy physical activity while ensuring that the event remained enjoyable.
The programme demonstrated that back-to-school preparation can include social and emotional wellbeing alongside books and other educational supplies.
Free Haircuts Give Children Extra Confidence
One of the special features of the day was a free haircut service.
Volunteer barbers and hairstylists donated their time and professional skills so participating children could begin the new school year with a fresh haircut.
Organisers thanked the volunteers for helping children feel confident and prepared for their return to the classroom.
The service added a personal-care element to the wider programme and gave the children another reason to leave the event smiling.
Four Organisations Join Forces
The project was organised through cooperation among:
- Kiwanis Club of Aruba;
- Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach;
- Kiwanis Club of San Nicolas;
- Red Cross Aruba.
Each organisation contributed volunteers, resources and support.
Kiwanis organisations traditionally focus strongly on projects benefiting children, while Red Cross Aruba works across areas including health, resilience and community support.
Organisers said combining their efforts allowed them to create a larger and more complete experience than any one organisation might have delivered independently.
Volunteers and Sponsors Make Project Possible
The participating organisations also thanked sponsors, partners, barbers, hairstylists and volunteers who contributed to the event.
Volunteers helped organise activities, guide children, distribute materials and maintain the programme throughout the day.
The organisers stressed that a community initiative of this scale depends on businesses and individuals willing to contribute time, services or resources.
Their cooperation turned the project into both a practical school-support programme and a day of positive attention for the participating children.
Investing in Children’s Future
The Aruba Back to School Project reflects a wider objective of ensuring that children receive opportunities to begin the academic year feeling prepared and supported.
Organisers emphasised that a successful start to school involves more than possessing the correct supplies. Health, confidence, friendship, physical activity and a supportive community can also contribute to a child’s school experience.
Through the 2026 initiative, Red Cross Aruba and the three Kiwanis clubs supported 100 children while encouraging greater cooperation among community organisations.
The participating groups said they hope the project will inspire further collaboration and continued investment in the wellbeing and future of Aruba’s children.
