The day Gabriel was born prematurely at just 32 weeks, his mother was overwhelmed with fear. Hooked up to tiny feeding tubes and antibiotics in the NICU, Gabriel’s fragile condition left his mother begging him to hold on. She made a silent promise that night—to protect him, to love him unconditionally, and to give him the best life possible.
Weeks later, joy returned as Gabriel was released from Aruba’s Horacio Oduber Hospital. But that joy turned to worry when he began missing developmental milestones. Eventually, doctors discovered the cause: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)—a degenerative condition that would one day leave Gabriel completely blind.
💡 Finding Hope in Darkness
After a life-altering diagnosis in Bogotá, Gabriel’s mother faced a tough decision: stay in Aruba or move back to the United States for better resources? A chance encounter with a radio ad changed everything. She visited FAVI, Aruba’s Foundation for the Visually Impaired, and her world shifted. FAVI provided tools, guidance, and most importantly—hope.
On the other side of the world, Theresita Tromp was navigating her own journey in the Netherlands. Her daughter Casiene also had ROP, but despite access to top-tier Dutch services, Theresita felt isolated. Longing for the warmth of home, she tasked a family member with investigating FAVI. The response was clear: Aruba was ready to support her daughter.
Both families returned to Aruba. Though different in personality and background, the two mothers quickly became allies—bound by their shared experiences and unwavering love for their children.
🌟 Breaking Barriers Through Community
Thanks to FAVI and an island-wide support network, Gabriel and Casiene thrived. From learning braille to transitioning to digital learning tools, both students excelled in their education. They passed their secondary school placement exams with flying colors and will soon attend Colegio, one of Aruba’s top schools.
This success wasn’t theirs alone. It belonged to:
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The Kiwanis Club, who funded their first braillers
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The Gianni’s Group, who raised funds through Dinner in the Dark
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The Divi Group, who donated laptops compatible with braille technology
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The Ministry of Education, AZV, and local schools like St. Anna, Cayana Kleuter School, and Colegio Santa Teresita
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Teaching assistants like Kimberly Lacle, Jovelle Castro, Meredith Faarup, and vision educators like Gwen Croes, Rina Croes, and many more
🌈 An Island That Lights the Way
Raising a blind child in Aruba was never going to be easy—but with heart, perseverance, and a village of support, these families helped blaze a trail. Today, Gabriel and Casiene are living proof that disability does not mean limitation. Their journey is a powerful testament to inclusion, courage, and the compassion of a small island that chose to lead with love.
As Gabriel moves forward into high school, his mother reflects:
“I’m not afraid anymore. I’m too busy feeling gratitude, pride, and love for this little community that helps our children find their way beyond the dark.”
Photo credits : https://www.visitaruba.com/blog/about-aruba/blindly-blazing-a-trail-across-aruba/
