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The Rotary Club Bonaire continuously supports the Bonairean community with donations to different worthwhile projects. Last Thursday afternoon Rotary officials donated three wood and thatched umbrellas for Chachacha Beach.
This donation was important because there was no shade at this popular swimming spot after several large shade-giving trees were cut down during construction of the waterfront promenade. The lack of a shady place was especially felt by the parents of the many children who get swimming lessons at that beach. There was also a noticeable drop in local people relaxing and swimming there after the removal of the trees, even though this is the most accessible beach for many people in this area. The Island Government did plant several trees, but of course it will take years for these to reach a state that will equal the old trees. A delegation from the Island Council, headed by Lt. Governor Richard Hart, took the time to officially accept Rotary's gesture in the name of the Bonairean population.
The President of the Rotary Club Bonaire, Mr. Henk Schrijver, gave a short speech to explain the events leading to this moment, especially complimenting the Island Council on their swift action to get permission from the different departments that are involved in these cases. Mr. Schrijver underscored how the choice was made for a durable kind of wood that requires little maintenance, adding that the next intended project will require a little more maintenance, however. This next plan would involve the planting of palm trees from the airport entrance towards town to create a warm welcome for visitors to the island. He expressed the wish that the cooperation of the Island Council would then be as swift as with this project.
Deputy Burney Elhage spoke on behalf of the Island Council, thanking the Rotary Club for their gesture that in his eyes would hopefully not only benefit the many locals that visit the Chachacha Beach but also be appreciated by visitors from abroad. Mr. Elhage finished by promising his cooperation for the palm tree project.
Recently, the Rotary also made other donations as well. First Ms. Elly Albers, representing the Fundashon Maria Hoppner, was the happy recipient of a check which was the proceeds of a raffle at the old Ford Garage. This raffle was held during the first Bonaire Megamarket, another initiative of the Rotary Club.
The second donation was to the Fundashon Jong Bonaire. This foundation was pleasantly surprised by the donation of two brand new table tennis tables they had asked for to keep their youngsters busy. The Rotary Club purchased the tables in Curaçao and paid for the shipping as well. Story and photo by Marcel Nahr
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