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My Journey
My Journey
2022 – The First Seeds
(Read about the roots here)
Invited Roland van Reenen to Aruba and received hands-on training.
Sparked the formation of SyntropicA, a local movement for regenerative agriculture.
Became a certified teacher in Syntropic Agroforestry.
Co-led 3 workshops, supporting over 80 people in learning Syntropic principles.
2023 – Growing Roots
Officially launched Living Soil Aruba.
Partnered with Then-Minister Ursell Arends and Santa Rosa for the school food forest rollout for 10 food forest at primary schools.
2024 – Expanding the Forest
Started with the actual implementation of the food forests at the primary schools.
Became a maintenance 'expert', helping ensure long-term sustainability at 6 of the schools site.
Continued with 6 more food forests at community driven foundations and 1 high school in collaboration with department of Nature and St Rosa.
Offered private consultations for EBP, Santa Rosa and other private individuals.
Hosted multiple community events, from sharing knowledge to inspiring hands-on learning.
Built strong collaborations with Rhakeem Samuel and motivating others to become consultants too.
2025 – Deepening the Work
Continued as maintenance 'expert' at 6 schools to educate the community around the food forests.
Took on a board position at United Farmers Aruba (UFA) to advocate for transparency and farmer-led decisions.
Worked on a reflection and evaluation report of the food forest project at Primary Schools. (see below)
Began collecting data to show real-world impact of regenerative design on Aruba.
New: The Food Forest Report
This report documents the progress made at 11 primary schools, highlighting what worked, what challenged us, and what we’ve learned along the way. It’s a practical reflection on how food forests are taking root in Aruba’s education system — thanks to the care of teachers, volunteers, and nature itself.
Now it’s in the hands of the community. I hope it inspires others to keep this movement alive, in their own way, wherever they are.
📥Download the Full Report (PDF)
Or read it here below:
What This Journey Has Taught Me So Far
It’s not about doing everything myself — it’s about enabling others to thrive. Whether I’m planting bananas with kids or advising on policy, I’ve learned that the most powerful change happens when community, nature, and knowledge align.
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