History

A sad story was the cause for this initiative. The transport of a terminally ill resident from Rincon, who was taken to the hospice in Tera Kora by a regular ambulance, had one last wish: to see the ocean one last time.Unfortunately, due to busyness of the ambulance transporting him, it was not possible to make a short detour.

The incident revived a long-held wish of Mimi Dongen, the hospice coordinator, to establish a Make-A-Wish Ambulance foundation on Bonaire, similar to those already existing in the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curaçao.

Together with Ralph and Rosalie, who are also active with their Foundation Last Journey on Bonaire, the plan took shape, and the three got to work.

'Ambulance Wens Nederland'

In December ’23, the office of the Make-A-Wish Ambulance Foundation was visited in Rotterdam. Director Kees Veldboer Jr. announced that they would soon be receiving a new ambulance. He offered us to take over their current ambulance for a symbolic price—an offer that did not require much thought! 

In September ’24, the ambulance was shipped, free of charge, by Nirint Shipping, and in the same month, the foundation was officially established.