Oranjestad, Aruba – Raymicheline “Misha” Raymond, geboren op geboren op sint maarten op 27 mei 1985, heeft zich meer dan tien jaar ingezet voor het welzijn van kinderen en jongeren als kinder- en jeugdpsycholoog. Sinds 2021 dient ze als parlementslid en fractieleider van de politieke partij RAIZ, waar ze zich richt op sociale hervormingen en het verbeteren van de levenskwaliteit van de Arubaanse bevolking.
Background and Education
Raymond received her VWO degree from the Colegio Arubano in 2004 and continued her studies in psychology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. She received her bachelor's degree in 2009 and completed her master's degree in Clinical Neuropsychology in Children in 2013. In 2017, she further specialized as an Infant Mental Health Specialist. In 2022, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in healthcare psychology.
Career and Political Involvement
After her studies, Raymond returned to Aruba, where she worked at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In 2021, she began her political career and was elected to parliament with 693 votes. Since then, she has led the RAIZ group in the Aruban Parliament and chaired the Commissions for Social Affairs and for Science, Innovation and Sustainable Development.
Initiatives and Reforms
Raymond has championed several social reforms. In November 2021, she submitted a proposal to include speech therapy for children in the AZV basic package, which was unanimously approved. In April 2022, her proposal to appoint more social workers in schools passed unanimously in parliament. She also introduced proposals to address the long waiting lists for social assistance and to amend the Ombudsman Law.
Commitment to Children's Rights
On November 20, 2024, the International Day of the Rights of the Child, Raymond submitted an initiative bill to enshrine children's rights in the Aruban Constitution. This law contains articles to protect and develop children and imposes obligations on the government with respect to children.
Vision and Future
With the December 2024 elections coming up, Raymond remains committed to social reform and the welfare of children and youth. Her years of experience as a psychologist and her dedication to the community make her a valuable leader within RAIZ, aiming to have a positive impact on Aruban society.
