PHILIPSBURG:--- The Care Caribbean website is a platform for pupils, students and healthcare professionals. The site focuses on studying and working in healthcare and the social domain. The prospective student of Medicine, Physiotherapy or Social Work can receive practical tips and experiences from other Caribbean students and young professionals. The healthcare professional can get an impression of the vacancies on the islands via the employer profiles.
Stories
In the Stories, students and healthcare professionals exchange their experiences. The back of them have returned to 'their' island after their studies. Such as Rasheendra Polonia, who currently works as a general practitioner on Bonaire. She describes her added value as a Papiamento-speaking general practitioner: https://carecaribbean.nl/gastblog/huisarts-op-bonaire-een-droom-die-uitkomen-rasheendra-polonia/
Honest and sometimes factual stories are also shared about the obstacles that many Caribbean students encounter in the Netherlands. How do you adapt to the language and culture and stay true to your Caribbean identity? This has been described by Curaçao Medical student Camille Blaaker from Rotterdam: https://carecaribbean.nl/gastblog/dont-hide-your-culture-just-to-fit-in-camille-blaaker
WeConnect
All information from the site is shared via WeConnect's social media channels.
This is an educational foundation in the Netherlands that took the initiative for this platform together with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The three target groups of Care Caribbean – schoolchild, student, healthcare professional – are depicted by a fictional character developed especially for this platform, named Jayda. She guides the users through the different phases.
Workshops
In addition to the website, WeConnect also organizes workshops at schools on the islands. These are given by healthcare professionals. For example, a paramedic or microbiologist gives students an insight into his or her profession. “They receive first-hand information about what a profession exactly entails, why it is beautiful and valuable. Students are often also curious about how much the professional earns or how long the study takes. We are very grateful to all volunteers who make time to give these workshops,” explains WeConnect manager Tanja Fraai. Useful
WeConnect thus contributes to career choice information for Caribbean young people. Dean of the Radulphus College Nalini Sewdien: "These workshops are specially designed for third graders to help them make a conscious and informed choice of their subject package. By discovering where their talents and passions lie, they can choose a path that best prepares them for a career and successful future." Practical
On the Tips page, students can see where they can study (online). Content editor Edmaly Thielman made a selection of the best Instagram accounts from colleges and universities in the Netherlands, which can be found under the heading 'Great on Insta'. Her data analysis of the website shows that there is a lot of search for practical information. “It is difficult to choose if you live in Bonaire or Aruba and you often cannot visit open days, so this kind of clear online information helps.” Employers on the islands
The Care Caribbean website also serves as a portal to employers on the islands. Organizations such as Mental Health Caribbean, Curaçao Medical Center, Fundashon Mariadal, and the Oduber Hospital can all be found there with their vacancies. In this way, WeConnect bridges the gap to the local labor market where healthcare professionals trained in the Netherlands are desperately needed. In 2025, WeConnect plans to organize another job market in the Netherlands, aimed at employers in healthcare and the social domain. More information can be found on the website: www.carecaribbean.nl