Madel Jim remembers her father using an abacus in his business to do calculations. The abacus was positioned on the Jim Bros store counter where it was used frequently. Madel’s father Jim Shue came to Aruba on board a ship in1935 and decided to stay and work in the Lago oil refinery which needed thousands of laborers. This demand for workers resulted in the dramatic increase of Aruba’s population with over fifty different nationalities during the second quarter of the twentieth century. Many of the Chinese migrants married local girls and formed families that today form an active part of the Aruban community. In Madel’s case both parents came from migrant backgrounds since her mother was Colombian from the Guajira region and her father Chinese. This multicultural background has given her some strong values and work ethic. Her parents’ motto “seize the day” resonates to this day.

“No laga pa manan loke bo por hasi awe”

The abacus illustrates the advanced Chinese culture according to Madel, with its emphasis in keeping things simple and practical. The abacus, besides its beauty and practicality, was also considered to bring good luck. A kind of multiplier effect was inherent in this object. Madel even keeps a cherished golden hanger in the shape of an abacus, a gift from her father, with its beads and she loves to wear this on special occasions.