Kawa Training Centre was founded in 2012 by Dutch woman Suzan Degeling. Unemployed young people can train with her to become tour guides, hospitality workers, or independent entrepreneurs.

The biggest problem is that many of these young people haven't finished secondary school and therefore don't have the money to pay for their training. Unemployment is high. Students can earn part of their tuition by collecting plastic on the beach for two hours every morning at 7:30 a.m. They also learn to recycle and resell the plastic. Another important goal of Kawa is to raise awareness among young people that they are responsible for a bright future and also learn to care for their island. They do this in a variety of ways. Together with the students, Suzan has also founded several startups, such as bicycle rental and repair, a café, and Kawa Upcycle (making new items from discarded plastic).

The full training for a young person lasts 15 months and costs €600. Any contribution is welcome. You can contribute via the donation button below the photo or via the account number at the bottom of this page. Would you like to fully support a student during their studies and track their progress? Or would you like to contact Kawa yourself? Send us a message using the contact form.