The youth project “The Next Wave” at Jong Bonaire has been successfully completed. From March 7 to April 23, local youth actively participated in this initiative, which placed health, nutrition, and entrepreneurship at the forefront. Beyond providing knowledge, the project empowered participants to make healthier lifestyle choices for themselves and their community.
The Public Health Department (GGD) of the Public Entity Bonaire executed the project in collaboration with Jong Bonaire and the Scholengemeenschap Bonaire (SGB). This broad partnership ensures that the skills acquired by the youth remain applicable in practical, real-world settings.
Throughout “The Next Wave,” kitchen staff from Jong Bonaire and SGB attended culinary workshops focused on preparing nutritious and flavorful meals for large groups. Simultaneously, the youth at Jong Bonaire engaged in theoretical and practical sessions covering mindful eating, label reading, and the impact of nutrition on physical and mental well-being. The participants prepared their own healthy snacks and meals, and even produced videos and a song to effectively spread the message of a healthy lifestyle across the island. Furthermore, the students enjoyed weekly healthy lunches prepared by the chefs who participated in the training.
Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Regarding the “Show Up” segment, where youth acted as health ambassadors, one participant shared: “What I enjoyed most was how we worked together as a group of girls. Together, we learned and achieved something beautiful.”
GGD Bonaire reflects on the project with great satisfaction, viewing “The Next Wave” as a milestone in prevention and nutritional education for the youth. The collaboration between partners and the high level of youth engagement provide a strong foundation for future initiatives. Through programs like “The Next Wave,” Bonaire continues to invest in a generation poised to face the future with health and conscious awareness.
