Hello, we are Adrián and Eva (26 and 24 years-old) and this is our first week as Leonardo trainees in Aruba. We are both Spanish but we are living in Leeds where Everything is Possible has given us the chance to do this project.

Aruba is a small island in the caribbean sea, very close to Venezuela. As it is part of the Netherlands, they speak Dutch and their native creole language called Papiamento. However, most of the people also speak Spanish because of the strong geographical influence and English because of the tourism. The national currency is the Aruban Florin, although they accept US Dollars everywhere. In Aruba, everything is really different to Europe; First of all, the weather is really humid and very hot, completely different to the cold autumn of West Yorkshire. Secondly, the nature is  green but it seems like a dessert, as everything is full of cactuses, lizards and iguanas for instance.

During the first week, we were supported by Clair, who came with us to discover the project and the island. As we have been the pioneers of this adventure, we are developing the project for trainees that will come in the future to the island.

Our main job is in Aruba Donkey Sanctuary, where we clean and feed the 72 donkeys living there, as well as guide the tourists that come everyday to visit the sanctuary. In addition, we work as shop assistant and bartender when necessary to provide full support to the organisation.

Furthermore we are also trying more projects, as Philips Animal Garden, an organisation that takes care of exotic animals that have been abandoned along the years in Aruba. There, we take care of animals as monkeys, horses, goats, ponies, snakes, a huge variety of birds, caimans, turtles, pigs, kangaroos, camels…

Our location is in the north-west of the island where we are living in a small but complete apartment, even with a swimming pool to refresh ourselves after a long working day. However, there are so many mosquitoes at night, so it makes very difficult to sleep without some bites everyday.

Last but not least, during our free time we usually go to the beach, one of the most attractive parts of the island as well as visiting the different beautiful spots that it offers. We have already been at California Lighthouse, a natural bridge of rocks formed above the sea, an ostrich farm, Oranjestad (the capital of the island), San Nicolas and some typical restaurants where we have enjoyed the local cuisine.

Even though the island is pretty small, we have not had the time to explore it completely. We will keep you informed about this happy island and our adventures by next week.

Adrian and Eva, short term Leonardo Trainees

Project part of Empowered From Within
and supported by ECORYS UK
and the Lifelong Learning Programme
of the European Commission.