The first Prosperity Team1 within the MaMs Prosperity programme went in 2008 to the island of Curaçao to do their research/thesis for their graduation paper. They also twinned with a local student on the island. By this twinning an important principle within the GPC method of operations was accomplished. The cultural and intellectual interchange took place between the groups of students.
The information that has been gathered during their research period was compiled in a report containing the findings including the recommendations. The next phase concerned the implementation of these recommendations in the different fields where the local NGO’s needed assistance. To provide continuous support efforts were invested in the recruitment of new groups of students to maintain the flow of sustainable change management.
There was also another single student that ventured to the island in 2011, but unfortunately did not manage to accomplish the set goal. Due to homesickness she returned back to the Netherlands. Valuable lessons were learned! This meant more screening and assessment of the students.
After the first Prosperity team1, a second group of students also did their research on the island. This time Prosperity Team2 focused on the effectiveness of the given sexual education and the effect on the sexual behaviour of youngsters. This year, 2014, a university student (almost graduated) will visit the island to contribute. This time the focus will be on the development of instruments and tools to enable unemployed single mothers in rural areas to adequately raise and educate their offspring.