|
Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean |
|
Jong Bonaire a
non-profit youth organization |
 |
|
|
Jong
Bonaire is the place for high school students to spend their
afternoons
in
a safe, supervised environment. (click the links to see
more photos) We
also have arts
& crafts,
drama, yoga, music,
help with schoolwork
and lots more
Visiting
teens can
purchase weekly memberships
and join the fun
Families
pay a small fee but we depend
on donations to meet our annual budget
ContinueQuestions and
Answers About Jong Bonaire Q. What is Jong
Bonaire? A. Jong Bonaire is a
non-profit after school program for teens on the island of
Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean. Q. Who is
responsible for Jong Bonaire? A. Jong Bonaire is
operated by Stichting Jeugdwerk Prinses Beatrix (The
Princess Beatrix Foundation for Youth Work) which was
founded in 1959 to serve the youth of the island of
Bonaire. Q. Who are the
foundation managers? A. The center manager
is Inge Berben, a trained social worker from Holland. There
is a staff of four full-time and four part-time youth
leaders. They are supported by a group of about 25
volunteers. An Organizing Committee of four volunteers
serves as the financial management team: Rene Hakkenberg,
Glenda Bernabela, Alan Gross and Jane Townsend. René
(born on Curacao), Alan and Jane (Americans) are all
retirees living on the island. Glenda was born on Bonaire
and works at Sand Dollar N.V. The other foundation members
are all Antilleans who live and work on the
island. Q. Who funds
Jong Bonaire? A. Over the past four
years the Dutch Government (via SEDE Antia and CEDE Bonaire)
provided funds to renovate two old buildings, build a new
classroom facility and equip the program for three years.
Several Dutch and Antillean organizations also provided
major funding including: Stichting Katholieke Noden, Juliana
Welzijn Fonds, Radio Nederland Wereldomroep, Maduro &
Curiel's Bank, Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers and Santa Barbara
Development Corporation. Starting in 2000, the island of
Bonaire agreed to provide approximately 1/3 of the
operations costs. Through rental of the facility and the
parents' contributions another portion is covered. However,
each year we must raise at least NAfl 180.000 or
approximately US $100,000 from private donations. That's why
we need your help! Q. How is the
money used? A. Over 2/3 of the
operating costs are for the salaries of the professional
youth workers who organize the activities, supervise the
center and work with the teens. Administrative and overhead
costs are kept extremely low and all management by the
foundation is on a volunteer basis. Q. How is the
donation money managed? A. Donations in the
USA go to the Friends of Jong Bonaire Foundation a 501c(3)
foundation,
EIN:13-4090990. These US
funds are put in a Merrill Lynch managed account unless the
donor specifies that the funds should be used for current
expenses. It is the intention of the trustees that only the
interest income from this fund will be used for current
operations. This will allow the fund to grow to help assure
the future of the center. Funds donated to the Bonaire bank
will be used for ongoing operating expenses. Both of these
accounts are managed by the Organizing Committee mentioned
above. Q. How do I
know my money is being used for the youth of
Bonaire? A. With the exception
of a small charge for processing your credit card on-line,
every dollar you donate to Jong Bonaire will be used for the
benefit of the children. The only non-youth-oriented expense
is the salary of the Office Manager/Bookkeeper. And part of
the time even she organizes activities for the kids. In fact
she has just completed a course in sports organization so
that she can expand this role. From the beginning we have
made a conscious effort to keep overhead costs to the
minimum. In fact, our fundraising costs are less than US
$1,000 per year. The website design and development was done
in-house and all of the prizes as well as the Internet
hosting and maintenance for this banquet have been donated
by our sponsors. Each year the Stichting issues an annual
report which is published locally and also sent to the local
government, to our donors and to anyone who requests a copy.
You can also read testimonials from community leaders if you
click
here. Q. Who are
members of Jong Bonaire and what do they pay? A. Any student in the
local high school can become a member. Membership is based
on the family's total income. Most members pay only NAfl 10
(about US$6) or NAfl 25 (about US$15) per month to be a
member, although some may pay as much as NAfl 150 per
month. Q. When is the
center open? A. Members may come
to the center each weekday, between 12 noon and 6 p.m.
during the school year. There are occasional weekend
programs as well. The center is closed during July and half
of August for summer vacation and also during Christmas and
Easter vacations, Bonaire Regatta Week and
Karnaval. Q. What are the
activities at the center? A. We offer roller
blades and roller hockey, basketball, volleyball, ping pong,
badminton, yoga, music lessons and jam sessions. There are
25 computers with open Internet access for students to learn
about computers and programs and there are another eight
computers dedicated to homework assignments and quiet study.
There is supervised homework assistance every day by staff
members and volunteers. Other areas include a canteen where
the members can buy a healthy lunch (at subsidized, low
prices), a large arts and crafts room, an auditorium and
gymnasium. Q. Why was the
after school program started? A. Teens everywhere
today are at risk of falling into trouble if they lack
organized activities to stimulate their minds and exercise
their bodies. Most local parents work and can not be home
when the young people leave school in the early afternoon.
The center was opened to provide a safe, supervised location
where the teens can develop their skills and talents, have
interaction with positive role models and also to keep the
teens off the streets.
©
Jong Bonaire 2001
Designed, developed and maintained by the webgroup @ Jong
Bonaire.
Hosted by NetTech
N.V.