Parliamentarian Eduard Pieters visited Stichting Hunto to witness the official launch of an innovative trailer that will be used in the city center to serve outpatient addicts.
For Pieters, this initiative is not just a social project but a clear sign that Aruba is beginning to address one of the most complex challenges in our society—addiction and mental health—with creativity, humanity, and determination. The project focuses on direct engagement with people who often fall outside the traditional care system.
A Humanitarian Initiative Worth Recognizing
Pieters expressed his deep gratitude to the team at Stichting Hunto, especially Director Dalgis Montalvo and CFO Randall van Trigt, who have shown extraordinary leadership and commitment in the field of mental health. According to Pieters, Stichting Hunto serves as an example for many foundations in Aruba. He also highlighted the transparency in the foundation’s governance, noting that the 2025 annual financial report was presented in March 2026.
For the PPA faction, transparent governance and financial accountability deserve recognition.
“If something is good, we must also recognize it and put it in a positive light,” Pieters emphasized.
The Trailer: A Bridge to People the System Often Does Not Reach
“The trailer will serve as a mobile contact point for outpatient addicts in the city center. Many people living with addiction do not easily enter formal institutions. The trailer creates a more accessible space, where trained staff can talk to them, build trust, and motivate them to begin a recovery journey,” Eduard explained.
According to Pieters, many initially doubted the concept, but today the initiative has become a reality and can mark an important step in community-based addiction treatment. This approach is based on human dignity: outpatient addicts are also human beings.
A Care Chain Connecting Different Phases of Recovery
The trailer is not an isolated solution; it is part of a broader care chain that Stichting Hunto implements. After the initial contact, individuals willing to change receive guidance to:
- Inloophuis: a safe space for rest, dialogue, and guidance
- Centro Colorado: entry into a full rehabilitation program
- Social reintegration: to actively participate in the community again
This model is internationally recognized as one of the most effective ways to treat addiction: step-by-step accompaniment.
Mental Health Requires Cooperation, Not Competition
During the event, Pieters emphasized an important message for the entire mental health sector: cooperation and collaboration are essential. According to the parliamentarian, the only way to address the growing mental health challenge in Aruba is for all institutions—government, foundations, and professionals—to work together in a coordinated care chain.
“We must put ego aside,” Pieters stated. “When we work together, we can achieve real solutions for our people.”
The launch of Stichting Hunto’s trailer is an innovative step in the fight against addiction in Aruba. For Pieters, this initiative demonstrates that when civil organizations, professionals, and the community unite efforts, practical and humane solutions are possible.
“The PPA faction expresses its deep recognition for the hard work that Stichting Hunto is doing in our community. Behind every addiction there is a human story, and every person deserves the opportunity to start again,” Eduard concluded.
