ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Aruba Youth Parliament Cleanup collected more than 35 bags of litter as approximately 40 children and teenagers worked through several neighbourhoods in central Oranjestad.
The activity was organised as part of the Youth Parliament’s summer camp and combined environmental service with a scavenger-hunt-style journey through the city.
Cleanup Began at EDU Campus
Participants began their route at EDU Campus on Caya Grandi before continuing through Rancho, Companashi and Socotoro.
As they moved through the neighbourhoods, the young participants collected discarded items from streets and public areas.
By the end of the activity, the group had filled more than 35 bags with litter gathered from central Oranjestad.
Around 40 Young People Participated
Approximately 40 children and teenagers took part in the cleanup.
The activity gave participants an opportunity to work together while learning that maintaining Aruba’s streets and neighbourhoods requires daily attention from residents of every age.
Organisers said the young participants demonstrated cooperation, responsibility and pride in their island through their actions.
Young Participants Share Their Message
Youth participants Christian Vrolijk and Antonella Garcia spoke about the importance of protecting Aruba’s environment after completing the route.
Vrolijk said Aruba belongs to everyone and that each person therefore has a responsibility to help keep the island clean.
“Aruba belongs to me, to you and to all of us. That is why we must keep Aruba clean,” he said.
Garcia also encouraged the wider community to support the National Day of Care for Aruba, which took place the following day.
Their message emphasised that young people can contribute directly to environmental improvement rather than waiting for adults or government agencies to take action.
Activity Supported National Cleanup Campaign
The Youth Parliament activity took place shortly before the National Day of Care for Aruba on July 25.
The government campaign invited residents, businesses, schools, sports clubs, foundations and community organisations to clean neighbourhoods and public spaces across the island.
The initiative operated under the slogan, “For me. For you. For all of us,” and promoted shared responsibility for Aruba’s environment.
The government said the daily work of public agencies alone cannot keep every neighbourhood clean. Long-term improvement also depends on residents avoiding illegal dumping, disposing of waste correctly and caring for public spaces.
Young People Set an Example
The Aruba Youth Parliament Cleanup demonstrated how environmental education can be combined with practical community service.
Instead of discussing litter only during a classroom or summer camp session, the participants entered the community and experienced the amount of waste present along local streets.
Collecting more than 35 bags also showed how quickly small pieces of discarded material can accumulate when they are not disposed of responsibly.
The activity encouraged participants to recognise that preventing litter is as important as organising campaigns to remove it.
National Campaign Exceeded Expectations
The larger National Day of Care for Aruba later collected at least 211.62 tonnes of waste in 131 containers.
That preliminary total did not yet include material collected at several additional locations, meaning the final amount was expected to be higher.
The Youth Parliament’s contribution occurred before the main nationwide event and added a youth-led example to the broader environmental campaign.
Through the Aruba Youth Parliament Cleanup, children and teenagers helped improve several Oranjestad neighbourhoods while encouraging the wider community to treat environmental care as a permanent responsibility rather than a one-day activity.
