ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The recent Mabon cleanup has produced visible improvements throughout the neighborhood following Aruba’s National Day to Care, held on July 25.
The nationwide initiative helped create a cleaner and more organized environment in several parts of Mabon while strengthening cooperation between residents, private companies, government representatives and community partners.
Several important locations received extensive cleaning during the campaign. These included Mabon Park, areas surrounding sports facilities, the neighborhood’s central playground, the area around the recently constructed stairs and several internal roads that required attention.
Residents also used the opportunity to dispose of accumulated waste from their homes and properties.
Residents Welcome Mabon Cleanup Results
Astrid Vries, president of the Mabon Neighborhood Development and Welfare Commission, expressed satisfaction with the results.
According to Vries, feedback received from residents has been highly positive and confirms that the combined effort made a meaningful difference in the community.
One of the most noticeable improvements can be seen around the newly constructed stairs. After overgrown vegetation and surrounding areas were cleared, the infrastructure became more accessible and safer for residents who regularly use the route to travel to work, school and other destinations.
Local resident Mirna Kemp also welcomed the improvements.
Kemp described the Mabon cleanup as a positive beginning for the neighborhood and emphasized that residents now share responsibility for keeping the area clean and avoiding illegal dumping.
She also highlighted opportunities to further improve sports and recreational facilities, which could create more activities and bring additional life to the community.
Organizations Recognized for Their Support
The Mabon Neighborhood Development and Welfare Commission thanked Alex Hozee, Civil-Military Cooperation liaison officer with the Royal Netherlands Navy, and Commander Henk Buijs of the Savaneta Marine Barracks for their contributions to the project.
Special recognition was also given to Werkgeversvereniging Arubaanse Bouwnijverheid and participating companies, including Algemeen Bouwbedrijf ALBO Aruba N.V., Arubaanse Wegenbouw Maatschappij, CHS Technical Contracting & Trading Company N.V. and Bohama Aruba N.V.
These companies provided personnel, equipment and machinery that contributed significantly to the final results of the cleanup effort.
The commission also thanked Prime Minister Mike Eman for launching the National Day to Care Aruba initiative, which brought together government, businesses, volunteers and residents with the shared goal of creating a cleaner, more attractive and sustainable Aruba.
Community Asked to Maintain Progress
With the organized cleanup now complete, Vries said the next challenge belongs to the community.
Residents are being encouraged to maintain the improvements and take responsibility for keeping Mabon clean.
Meanwhile, the neighborhood commission is continuing work on the next phase of Mabon’s development.
Plans presented to the government include initiatives aimed at improving sports, recreational and community facilities based on requests and priorities identified by local residents.
The long-term vision is for Mabon to become not only a cleaner neighborhood but also a more active, attractive and proud community.
The results of the Mabon cleanup demonstrate how cooperation between government, private organizations and residents can create meaningful and lasting improvements.
