The Mabon Neighborhood Development and Welfare Commission, together with the Luna Foundation (Fundacion Luna), conducted a walkthrough in the Mabon neighborhood to observe and address the issue of dogs in the community.
This initiative was born after the Commission noticed how, during various Neighborhood Actions (Accion di Bario) with Prime Minister Mike Eman, collaborations with organizations like the Luna Foundation helped address animal welfare issues in different neighborhoods. Inspired by this positive example, the Mabon Neighborhood Commission took the initiative to work together with the Luna Foundation to tackle the dog situation in their neighborhood.
The Commission is of the opinion that there is often a perception that a foundation like Luna Foundation can only enter a neighborhood during visits by Prime Minister Mike Eman. However, this is not the case. Every neighborhood can take its own initiative and follow the positive examples promoted to create better conditions for their residents.
During the Common Good Conference (Conferencia di Bon Comun) organized by Prime Minister Mike Eman, the president of the Mabon Neighborhood Commission, Astrid Vries, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) together with the members of the commission. With this, the commission committed itself to not only organizing activities in the neighborhood, but also working on community development and addressing the various daily challenges the neighborhood faces.
The Mabon Neighborhood Commission informed Zoey Konijn of the Luna Foundation about different areas in the neighborhood where dogs obstruct residents passing on the streets, creating concerns for the safety and well-being of the inhabitants.
Zoey Konijn of the Luna Foundation shared that the walkthrough was a good opportunity to walk through the Mabon neighborhood together with community representatives. According to Konijn, what stood out the most was that there is a real need for support when it comes to stray dogs living on the streets. Many of these dogs once had an owner but are now living without care, safety, or proper shelter.
The Luna Foundation also noted that many dogs live chained up. Through education, compassion, and support, the foundation believes that they can gradually help change this mentality. Some families also need a more appropriate space for their animals, and where possible, the Luna Foundation wants to help improve those situations.
What moved the Luna Foundation the most was the cordial manner in which many Mabon residents received the initiative to work together on the well-being of both humans and animals.
The Luna Foundation’s next spay and neuter campaign in the month of June will be specially directed at families “above the bridge” (pariba di brug / eastern side of Aruba) who need assistance in caring for their pets. The Luna Foundation firmly believes that this must be a community effort, because when people receive support and well-being, their animals benefit too.
For the Mabon Neighborhood Development and Welfare Commission, the presence of the Luna Foundation also served as an educational experience where they gained more knowledge about the dog problem and solutions that can help the community.
The Mabon Neighborhood Development and Welfare Commission continues to work toward a safer, cleaner neighborhood and better coexistence for all residents.
