Official opening of first inclusive playground in Rincon
On Monday the 19th of December a ceremony was held to mark the official opening of the playground at Kolegio San Luis Bertran in Rincon on Bonaire in the presence of numerous children, Dave Ensberg-Kleijkers, managing director of the charity Jantje Beton and Regiline Sambo, the Youth Care team leader at Care and Youth Caribbean Netherlands (Zorg en Jeugd Caribisch Nederland, ZJCN), which is part of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).
At the invitation of VWS Jantje Beton has been involved in redesigning this playground since 2021. Children from Rincon were actively involved in the design process. Based on their wishes and ideas a design was made by Bodifée Design. The overgrown playground has been transformed into a safe, welcoming and colourful play area where all children can play together. The design takes into account that both children with and without disabilities can play together. This makes it the first inclusive playground on Bonaire.
Dave Ensberg-Kleijkers explains:
"We at 'Jantje Beton' believe it is very important that play areas are developed throughout the whole of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The possibilities for children to play and exercise in their own residential neighbourhood on Bonaire are limited, while play and exercise being such important aspects of a child's healthy development."
Regiline Sambo:
"Playing makes children happy, helps them develop their motor skills and is a social activity. The playground is also a place for people from the community to come together and meet each other. VWS is extremely pleased with the renovation of this playground, also given its location close to the Cruyff Court and the school."
Jantje Beton
Jantje Beton is a unique charity that has been working with children and young people to create more and more challenging play areas and opportunities to play since 1968. Every year more than 350,000 children take part in Jantje Beton activities and projects. Children and young people in vulnerable (playing) positions receive extra attention. Jantje Beton wants to ensure that all children and young people in the Kingdom of the Netherlands can play and exercise on a daily basis. The organisation's patron is Princess Beatrix.
Care and Youth Caribbean Netherlands – Ministry of Health Welfare and Sport (VWS)
Since January the 1st of 2020 the programme directorate of Care and Youth Caribbean Netherlands has been responsible for care and youth policy and care legislation in the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius). If a child's development is at risk, Youth Care has an obligation to intervene in order to safeguard the safety and development of the child. This is done by providing help with raising children, training and mediation, foster care and care and guidance of children in crisis situations.