The 131 Aruba child helpline shared operational and leadership experience at the 2026 Regional Consultation of Child Helplines of the Americas and Caribbean in Bogotá.
Regional consultation addressed emerging risks
Interim board president Arthur Santos and social worker Shurman Milliard represented 131 Aruba at the September 22-24 meeting. Topics included youth mental health, violence, crisis response, online safety, artificial-intelligence risks, cyberbullying, deepfakes, family relationships and long-term service sustainability, according to 24ora.
Santos also delivered presentations on servant leadership, high-performing teams, prevention, operational frameworks and management in nonprofit child-helpline settings.
Lessons will support services on four islands
131 Aruba has provided emotional support, advice and information since 1999. Since 2022, its services have also reached children and young people in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.
The organization said knowledge gathered in Bogotá will be incorporated into its management and services and shared with other organizations in Aruba and the region.
