History


History of the Kiwanis International

Kiwanis was founded in Detroit, Michigan, on January 21, 1915. In the early years, Kiwanis clubs focused on business networking, but even then, members were serving the needs of the poor. By 1919, the organization had changed its focus from business to service. Kiwanis became an international organization in 1916 with the organization of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario. Kiwanis limited its membership to the United States and Canada until 1962 when worldwide expansion was approved. Until 1987, Kiwanis was a male-only organization. But after years of debate and growing support, women’s membership was received overwhelmingly.

History of the Kiwanis Club Curaçao

Kiwanis Club of Curaçao was chartered on November 14th 1964. An executive of the Shell refinery in Curaçao ho was a member of Kiwanis club of Rideau Canada, was interested in founding a club in Curaçao. He had been in contact with Mr. Tula Jesurun who was at that time a member of the Rotary Club. Tula approach several active citizens of Curaçao, and together they has founded Kiwanis Club of Curaçao. In order to be recognized by Kiwanis International, a club must be sponsored by existing Kiwanis Club. In this case Kiwanis Club of Curaçao was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Rideau Canada. The chartered members were; L.F. Ras, M.P. Vlietman, J.A. Free, S.L. Maduro, B.A. Jesurun, J.W. Velema, G.H.The, F. da Costa Gomez, E.B.N. de los Santos, R.A. Hedgson, J. van der Heul and H.J. Janssen.

Our club has introduced its first female member in s1996, under the presidency of fellow K Anthony Haile.

Kiwanis Club of Curaçao founded 2 youth’s organizations Key Club Radulphus and key Club MIL. These 2 clubs were founded by fellow K George Leetz and fellow K Jules Ilario. Besides that Kiwanis Club of Curaçao was a sponsor for the Kiwanis Club in Aruba and Co-sponsor for the clubs in St. Maarten and Bonaire.

Kiwanis Club of Curaçao founded also a Builders Club at Maria College.

Among the different Community projects we did, we can mention;

Past Presidents


74 /75 Jaime Saleh - 92/93 Marlon der Meer
75/76 Jan van Kouwen ( passed away)   93/94 George Leetz
76/77 Jan van Kouwen   94/95 Rafi Moreno
77/78 Juan Isa{ passed away )   95/96 Anthony Haile
78/79 Robert Willems   96/97 Anthony Haile
79/80 Leo Lemmens   97/98 Hero Smallegange
80/81 Donald Senior   98/99 Hensley Koeiman
81/82 Jules Ilario   99/00 Elton Eisden
82/83 Rupert Breusers   00/01 Urving Temmer
84/85 Dave Mourillon   01/02 Oswin Martina
85/86 Ivan Falbru   02/03 Hero Smallegange
86/87 George Leetz   03/04 Marelva Corion
87/88 Jules Ilario   04/05 Marelva Corion
88/89 Jules der Meer ???   05/06 Marlon Mambi
89/90 Oswald Suarez   06/07 Heidi Cijntje
90/91 Johnny Helmund   07/08 Hubert Martha
91/92 Dave Mourillon