FDEC's goal is to try and fulfill its purpose and to realize its vision of being present in all districts by organizing activities that bring us closer to the people and at reasonable prices, as well as to educate our people in the fields of art and culture through educational courses, so that they can reach a high level of knowledge and creativity in the world of art.

The foundation is geared toward the development of the Aruban people in general and young people in particular. Its goal is to contribute to the improvement of the way of life and development of the community. This development is attained through the organization and promotion of local events in the fields of general development, art, music, sports, and recreation in association with existing organizations and community centers in Aruba and the Caribbean.

FDEC contributes to the integration of our special people by teaching them and by inviting them to our activities, where they are given the opportunity to dance on stage. The foundation also works with customers from FAVI (visually challenged people) and other organizations.

FDEC also works in close cooperation with KIA, Aruba's prison. Several meetings have been held to study how we can continue to improve our support to our KIA customers. The foundation teaches painting to the young people, handicraft to the women, and airbrush techniques to the adult men. They are taught to make creative things in a short time so that, when they are released, they will be able to reintegrate into society and work at home and by themselves.

FDEC has joined forces with Teen Challenge Aruba and Mision Cantaro Aruba to set up a Post Prison Program, whose goal is to provide the following services:

• Finding a place to live
• Looking for a job
• Counseling
• Financial counseling
• Direct help to the families
• Integration into a help group
• Finding a local church to join
• Personal training programs
• Vocational training
• Reference other professional institutions or organizations
• Counseling programs

Since 1997, FDEC has managed to establish itself among the people, and it is recognized as being the first and only foundation to have integrated with the people. Each FDEC project close to home is carefully analyzed and organized. FDEC is very grateful to the Aruban government and to all institutions that in one way or another have contributed to our foundation, which has allowed our people in every district, and particularly our young people, to educate themselves in different ways. We promote family unity by giving families the opportunity to do things together, and keep our young people active and away from undesired behavior.

FDEC is an independent foundation with a view to protecting and preserving our culture.

FDEC teaches the following courses:

• Cuarta (four-stringed guitar), handicraft, painting, recorder - for people 8 years and up.
• Drums, guitar (general and electric), saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, bass guitar, piano, classical guitar, percussion (including kettledrums, conga, and bongo) - for people 10 years and up.
• Airbrush and music theory - for people 12 years and up.
• Barrel organ (assembling the organ and playing the instrument) - for people 15 years and up.

Lessons are given in 7 districts: San Nicolas, Savaneta, Santa Cruz, Paradera, Noord, Oranjestad, and Tarabana. Courses for visually challenged people take place in the FAVI building.

Basic courses take 4 years. At the end of every school year, students take an exam, and those who pass it receive an A, B or C certificate respectively, whereas a D diploma is awarded after the fourth year. For their exams, students are taught about the history of our great musicians, which is compulsory to be able to pass the exams. Students are also required to study the history of our dande music, dera gai tradition, and asambeho music.

They are taught about harmonics, music reading, chords, etc. Rhythms we stress include the waltz, mazurka, polka, danza, asambeho, and bolero, whereas international rhythms include jazz, rock, salsa, cadans, merengue, guaguanco, songo and monzambique (Afro-Cuban rhythm), samba and bossa nova (Brazil), plena and bomba (Puerto Rico), etc.

Twice a year, the foundation organizes an exhibition and concert where each student can display their talents and show what they have learned during the past year.

The foundation's motto is: Together, we can achieve a strong family base by educating our people in the fields of art and culture through educational courses, enabling them to reach a high level of knowledge and creativity in the world of art.

For further information, feel free to visit our office at

De La Sallestraat 41-A

Phone: 582 0010 / 588 6743

Ffax: 588 6743.

E-mail:fundaciondec@yahoo.com.

For donations: RBTT account no. 30.44.378.