The public was invited on Sunday to tour SABA the home caring for the island’s elderl

SABA runs three locations, in San Nicolas, Savaneta, at the old Marie Stella convent, and in Oranjestad in the old San Pedro Hospital, with a capacity for 207 elderly, attended by 270 caretakers.

I signed up for the tour at the open house, and showed up, to be greeted by Sulima Geerman, Director of SABA.

Sulima comes from the hospital, and is used to a sanitized, controlled, well-equipped, modern environment, but at SABA, she said, she had to let go many of her requirements, and do her best under the circumstances, asking her team to deliver above and beyond, because of the antiquated facility, and the immense task of keeping 80.000 square meters in top functioning condition.

The buildings, a series of long dorms-like barracks, with large patches of ground in between, was built in the 1920s, and run as a hospital by the Dominican sisters. In 1977 it was abandoned, as Aruba received a new modern hospital, Dr. Horacio Oduber. Between 1977 and 1995 the facility housed government offices, parts were left unused and invaded by homeless, parts served as a school.

Then the government-owned San Pedro of Verona complex was handed over the SABA as an elderly care facility, and immediately placed on the backburner, labeled ‘good enough’ with years of neglect and slashed budgets, following years of shoestring renovations.

Sulima took us on a tour. A full wing of the facility is closed. It can no longer serve as a dorm, and Sulima hopes that perhaps under the new government some funds will be allocated to renovate it. She would like to grant the elderly privacy and they are accommodated as they wish, one per room, or sometimes family members ask to live together.

In the past families were asked to finance the installation of air conditioning in the rooms, today Sulima refuses to burden families, and tries to find the money in her budget.

The central kitchen employs 12 people. They cook for all three facilities. Then meals are packed and delivered from Oranjestad to the Savaneta and St Nicolas homes.

Breakfasts, snacks, and evening meals are provided by small kitchens in each of the facility’s wings. While food is always available Sulima explains they must keep the elderly on a healthy diet, and watch their weight, and all other health indicators, by serving balanced nutrition.

To the occasional volunteers who wish to cater a meal of organize a party, she explains the elderly do not need rich foods and sugary treats, they are happy with a domino tournament, some entertainment, a visiting barber, manicurist, or hairdresser!

The SABA central laundry also operates under Sulima’s watchful eye. It washes all linens and clothes, for the three facilities, and keeps track of personal items, by carefully labeling everything.

Imagine having to launder 207 bed sheet sets!

The machinery is expensive Sulima explains, and when something breaks, it is the end of the world, replacement parts are hard to find.

The complex grounds are neat, and visibly picked up, the old tile floors spotless, but the complex is blessed or plagued by doves, who are hard to convince to go live elsewhere.

We saw some hens with their chicks in the yard. Sulima laughs because the elderly feed the birds, and while from a hospital perspective it is a no-no, at the elderly home, the hen followed by her chicks make the residents happy.

In the past, residents with dementia or Alzheimer were house in a separate wing. Today, the dorms are in mixed use, because people help each other, those who can and those who cannot complement each other.

At the end of the tour at the pavilion we saw an exercise class, a colorful beach ball tossed back and forth to a circle of residents, some in wheelchairs.

I left thinking SABA employs miracle workers, such dedication and professionalism.

“Caring Beyond Care means creating a true sense of home for every resident we serve. By opening our doors, we show proudly what ‘Hunto mas fuerte’ truly looks like in action,” states Sulima.

She reports she filled many dumpsters when she first arrived at SABA, and tossed out all the horded broken equipment, accumulating over generation.

SABA is like a neglected child, she says, hiding its face because of low self-esteem. BUT… we no longer want to be that child, we are proud of our work and accomplishments, and demand to be included and recognized. We are not a stepchild, and this is not good enough, she adds, the elderly deserve respect and quality care.

I agreed.

SABA enjoys a partnership for prevention with Fundacion ABO, in honor of International Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. As part of the CORESA program, the Open House featured a dedicated station where visitors could learn about the FIT-test, a simple, private screening test that starts at home.

About SABA Aruba:

SABA is the cornerstone of elderly care in Aruba, dedicated to providing a dignified and comfortable care for the island’s elderly.

At IMAGEN, 3D colorful photographic tableaux of Aruba are compressed into linear historically correct timelines. That is what digital artist Fernando Vermeer presents, as he manipulates photographs and turns them into rich tapestries of cultural references — 100 years of urban history, contained in just one frame.

The exhibition “Art – Imagination – Expression,” opened last weekend at Cas Di Cultura and will remain open to the public until April 14th.

Fernando is a digital magician, and I still have at home a picture of me, glamorized as Fernando first introduced photoshop, retouching and editing, the way we understand it today.

At the time it was like magic, how he erased the wrinkles from the corner of my eyes and stretched out my forehead to reflect youthful intelligence.

The digital retouching, and the ability to change visuals and edit reality is what shaped Fernando as a storytelling artist. He grew up between a crusader-activist mother, MARJORY, and a professional photographer-to-the-stars father, Rob. That gave him the keen eyes, and the powers of observation.

In his work he blends contemporary photography, historical imagery, and computer power, to create layered compositions that reflect culture, memory, and the evolution taking place under our noses.

As a young man a selection of Fernando’s drawings and paintings attracted the attention of Elvis Lopez and he mailed it, yes, by post, to the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, one of the Netherlands’ most respected art institutions. Based on these works, Vermeer was accepted into the academy, in recognition of his budding talent.

He did not last. The academic institution was stifling for the rebel.

He later studied Digital Art and Photography at the School of Photography in New York, where he perfected his foundation in photographic editing, digital manipulation, and visual composition.

He was further inspired by Catherine Eisman, who penned the first Photoshop Training Book series, and that decided Fernando’s artistic path.

He was able to change reality with the deliberate movement of his rubber-tipped pen on a tablet.

At Checkpoint Color, his family business, Fernando had ample time to practice his craft. He remembers as a child hanging out in the shop and watching the magic unfold in the dark room, as his Rob developed his black & white films.

With access to the Checkpoint Color archive, Fernando digs up visual generational wealth which he uses in his work. He helps preserve historical images when they are presented in his contemporary artistic creations.

Fernando’s digital artworks focuses on layered and complex vintage photographs of Aruba from approximately 1900 to 1970, these historical photographs serve as the foundation on which he builds his own version of the narratives, blending past and present into colorful digital collages.

When you look at his work you take a trip down main street San Nicolas and main street Oranjestad, you recognize specific streets and business names, but they are all incorporated into a single timeline, even if they existed years apart.

Fernando reports that he has been working on the exhibition for about ten years, and it is his wish to preserve memories of events, stories, personalities, and cultural heritage, before everything is lost.

You may know some of Fernando’s work, including the design and making of the monument dedicated to the Lost Fishermen, honoring those who lost their lives at sea.

He has a large art piece at the airport, an evocative collage, but that he says must be refreshed since the airport art exhibit has not been updated in a decade, and nothing matches anymore!

Fernando also participated in a special exhibition dedicated to Queen Beatrix, celebrating the historical relationship between Aruba and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Through his layered digital compositions, Fernando continues to explore the intersection of history, photography, and Aruba’s contemporary digital art landscape, and digital storytelling, establishing himself as a distinctive creative voice on the island.

Dia di Hymno y Bandera was transformed into a memorable three‑day celebration of culture, pride, and unity, at La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino.

held on March 12, 16, and 17. 

Festivities took off with an exclusive Royal Aruba Aloe presentation, offering associates an in-depth look at one of Aruba’s most renowned brands. The session highlighted the brand’s storied heritage, its commitment to quality, and the artistry behind transforming world-class, locally grown aloe into innovative products. 

Creativity took center stage with a cultural bottle painting workshop led by local artist Angela. Associates enjoyed a relaxing and interactive environment, fostering camaraderie while expressing their artistic talents. 

The celebration continued with an enlightening lecture presented by the Departamento di Cultura, deepening our appreciation for Aruba’s rich heritage and unique identity. A spirited Kahoot Challenge followed, engaging participants in a fun and educational competition that brought everyone together. 

The Highlight of the event was reached on March 17 with an emotive flag hoisting ceremony. Matilde Benito’s stirring performance of the national anthem inspired pride and heartfelt emotion. The festivities concluded at the Chit Chat Café, where associates enjoyed live entertainment by Jerrino Bas and Chantal Quant, an especially curated local menu, and beautifully themed decorations—wrapping up the multiple day event with a joyful and unforgettable finale. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Social Committee, F&B team, and all associates for their unwavering dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm, which brought this celebration to life and made every moment extraordinary. 

The Royal Visit

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/the-royal-visit-2/

Aruba’s Proposed Investment Fund

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/arubas-proposed-investment-fun/

Dark clouds ahead for Aruba

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/dark-clouds-ahead-for-aruba/

White Paper – Draft Tourism Policy

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/white-paper-draft-tourism-policy/

The deception of Jewel Residence by Able Realty

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/the-deception-of-jewel-residence-by-able-realty/

Premiere short film and song ‘Mi Rason’ – Celebrating Aruba’s cultural identity and pride

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/premiere-short-film-and-song-mi-rason-celebrating-arubas-cultural-identity-and-pride/

At least 25 percent of cruise calls will be redirected to San Nicolas?!

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/at-least-25-percent-of-cruise-calls-will-be-redirected-to-san-nicolas/

Above was one of the ideas presented in the minister of tourism’s white paper, Draft of Tourism Policy, aiming at easing congestion in Oranjestad, and broadening economic benefits across the island.

I went to St. Nicolas this week to look at the Art Rap Marooning Practices expo.

On my way back I decided to veer off the main drag and look at the back streets, at the real San Nicolas.

I was saddened by what I saw.

The area is so poor, abandoned and neglected, paint peeling, weeds everywhere, empty window frames, broken glass, cracked and crumbling wall.

The main street from the gas station to the bus depo, gets some attention, though it is far from perfect. Further down the street from the bus depo to the Alverhick Hotel, just a few pockets of life can be observed.

And I find it very alarming that the owners of the bars, in the ‘red light district,’ are allergic to paint and clean windows. It is all so run down and miserable.

I returned from my trip depressed, though lunch at The New Publito Paisa was lovely, and busy.

Reasonably priced too.

If the plan to send 25 percent of cruise calls to San Nicolas is more than hot air, then a huge investment is needed.

Perhaps APA can swap some land with the government. APA gets some of the refinery’s land to clean up and develop an arrival area for cruise visits, and in return APA gives GOA some of the free zone land to develop as a waterfront park.

The idea of creating a waterfront park was well presented in a recent article in AweMainta, on March 3rd.

A land swap could be a solution, to help make the minister’s cruise call plan a reality.

In 1995 GOA announced that it would attempt to create a mixed-use development with a public park, commercial and residential real estate in the defunct free zone area.

Then in 2016, the container port moved to Barcadera, and in 2022 the official plan to develop Port City was revealed.

At the time there was talk about residences for locals and visitors.

Let us think about it.

We MUST NOT develop any condominium projects, no mas, basta.

On the other hand we need 8,000 homes for locals.

Below is a BAD IDEA, from a press release in September of last year: Our Prime Minister, announced the government’s vision to redevelop the Port City area in Oranjestad into a residential neighborhood designed for local residents. The inspiration comes from Brandevoort de Veste in Helmond, the Netherlands, a community completed in 2005 and known for its unique layout of homes arranged around green spaces and community facilities. During a recent visit, the Prime Minister met with the developers of Brandevoort de Veste to explore opportunities for collaboration.

The government’s plan for Port Town emphasizes one- and two-story homes, public parks, schools, and shaded communal areas. The project will focus on affordability for middle-income residents and will include contract clauses prohibiting the use of homes for Airbnb or other short-term rentals. In addition to Port Town, a similar project is being considered for the Sero Colorado area. Designers will be invited to present proposals that combine local architectural elements with the community-centered model of Brandevoort de Veste.

The area of the Free Zone has a HUGE economic value and therefore CANNOT be used for social housing.

Affordable housing is not economically feasible on such an expensive land, GOA should not assume its value as ZERO, no locals would be able to afford to live there unless GOA subsidizes buyers, which is a bad idea.

What is left to do? The area must become a park, and perhaps in 50 years, we would need some fancy condominiums, and the area could be converted, but NOT now.

Other areas must be identified for social housing.

Yet, so far, I just heard about student apartments, no major public housing project suggested.

GOOD IDEA: With Aruba facing a housing shortage, the government is committed to accelerating residential projects that prioritize the needs of local families and strengthen community life.