Health facilities in Curacao were impressed by the Mental Health Foundation's (MHF) initiative and execution of an exchange trainee program held there which was co-financed by Samenwerkende Fondsen.
The objective was to gain more insight into Curacao's organizational set up and development concerning mental health treatment through visitation of several mental health bodies.
"This was something new and they truly enjoyed sharing their knowledge with us in Curacao" says Angie Stelk, MHF's Faraja Coordinator.
The 6 staff members of the Mental Health Foundation's Faraja Center who completed their trainee exchange program included: The Faraja Center's 4 Psych Aides - Abdule Wattley, Gladys Labady, Benjamin Jones, Shamaika Gario - Faraja's maintenance and driver, Baldwin Peterson along with Coordinator Angie Stelk.
To ensure that the Center continued its daily operations, the group left the Island on a rotating schedule between October 17th and November 14th which allowed half of the staff to receive training and the other half to keep the center running
In Curacao, they visited 3 Psychiatric clinics (Sonrisa, Klinika Capriles and Paaz), 2 drug and rehab Institutions (Fundashon Maneho Adikshon and Brasami) and a Clinic for the mentally and physically challenged (SGR- Fundashon Verriet).
At each Establishment, The Faraja Center's Staff members were greeted by a representative of the establishment and given a detailed tour. However, it was at Sonrisa's establishment that MHF's Staff was allowed the opportunity to be involved in daily activities with clients for a period of two weeks.
Sonrisa is a small organization on Curacao that offers guided living and daily daycare activities to clients with psychiatric problems much like what the Faraja Center offers.
"We learned a lot while over their" says Angie Stelk "We were able to learn different methods of treating our clients as well as other ways to execute plans and tasks. Mental health is an ever developing field and it is important for us to know of the latest treatment and management techniques."
Besides the warm reception and exchange of ideas, the program and Sint Maarten's MHF left a notable impression on the Establishments visited. In addition to that they were amazed by MHF's capability to handle clients with multiple diagnoses.
"I think we started something" says Shamaika Gario "The staff of the institutions visited liked the concept of this program and are eager to come to Sint Maarten and visit our foundation."
The Mental Health Foundation would like to thank the Samenwerkende Fondsen who graciously funded this program and made it possible.
