Aruba warmly welcomes the first baby of the year, named Abizeily. The year 2026 began with the birth of a baby girl at exactly 1:20 a.m. at the Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH). Shortly after, at 1:23 a.m., another baby girl was born, making it a moment of great joy for Aruba and the HOH team, blessed with this special occasion.
It is a tradition in Aruba to always keep track of who becomes the Baby of the Year, and for 2026 it turned out to be a baby girl once again, just like last year. From the moment the clock struck midnight, all staff of the Maternity Department were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first baby. Their happiness grew even more when not one, but two babies were born almost back-to-back.
With joy and pride, mother Shaneyda Werleman held her baby Abizeily. Baby Abizeily was born through a natural delivery and is Shaneyda’s third daughter. Abizeily’s sisters are 10 and 6 years old. Father Abraham Maduro is also very happy but had to work that day and was unable to be present for a photo. The delivery went smoothly, without any complications, and was handled by midwife Quandt. Baby Abizeily weighs 3,740 grams and measures 50.5 cm in length.
Mom and dad are extremely happy that their baby Abizeily is healthy and express their gratitude to midwife Quandt, nurses Traemaine, Thirza, Jennifer, Melizienne, and the entire maternity team for their guidance throughout the entire process before and after the birth.
The HOH team was present together with Mr. Jacco Vroegop, Chairman of the Board of Directors of HOH, who congratulated mother Shaneyda on the Baby of the Year 2026, Abizeily. They also spent some time with the second Baby of the Year, Skailyh-ann, daughter of mother Lukania van Leenen and father Darlin Montero, who was born via an emergency operation. This baby girl is healthy and everything went well.
Thanks are extended to the various donors who contributed gifts to the Baby of the Year 2026, including Compra Trading and Swift Distribution Aruba.
The HOH team congratulates the family and all of Aruba on the Baby of the Year 2026 and also wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2026. And of course, together with us, we say: Cheers to your health!
