PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a division of Youth Health Care within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), is proud to announce its plans to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), observed annually from August 1 to 7.

This year’s theme is “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”

CPS is partnering with the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) to raise awareness about the critical role of breastfeeding in ensuring the health and well-being of both mothers and children.

Breastfeeding is a natural and powerful act that provides unmatched health, nutritional, and emotional benefits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), supporting parents —especially mothers— is essential to giving every child the best possible start in life. Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of that support.

Breastmilk is the ideal nourishment for infants: it is safe, clean, and rich in antibodies that protect against common childhood illnesses.

It provides all the energy and nutrients an infant need in the early months and continues to offer significant nutritional value well into the second year of life.

Research shows that breast-fed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to become overweight or obese, and have a lower risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Mothers who breastfeed also benefit, with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

This year’s WBW campaign will feature a variety of activities aimed at engaging the community, including: A Breastfeeding Photo Competition ending August 1, 2025; Guest appearances on local radio programs to discuss the importance of breastfeeding; A Sip and Paint event for mothers and pregnant women; A Soothing Walk for pregnant women and moms; A series of press releases and awareness messages; A Mom’s Fair on August 9.

For more information on the planned activities, please contact the SMMC Pediatric or OB/GYN wards, White & Yellow Cross District Nursing, or CPS.

Be sure to look out for their full calendar of events on all their social media platforms.

For direct inquiries, contact CPS at (721) 542-3003 or WhatsApp (721 520-4163).

St. Maarten:---  The St. Maarten Sports Federation (SMSF) is proud to announce the successful completion of its recent fundraising raffle, which took place during the thrilling Domino’s Interschool Dinghy Sailing Championship on May 24, 2025.

Out of the 900 raffle tickets printed, an impressive 816 were sold, marking the event as a true community achievement. The raffle draw was held live at the sailing event, adding excitement and engagement to an already dynamic day.

We are pleased to congratulate the lucky winners:

• 1st Prize – Ticket #793
• 2nd Prize – Ticket #108
• 3rd Prize – Ticket #367

This fundraiser was made possible through the dedication of numerous individuals and organizations. We extend heartfelt thanks to the sports federations and the SMSF board members who enthusiastically sold tickets and championed this cause.

A special thank you goes out to our generous sponsors:

• Winair
• Simpson Bay Resort
• Divi Resorts

Your support and contributions were invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Most importantly, we wish to thank every single person who purchased a ticket; your participation directly supports the ongoing development and restructuring of SMSF,  youth and sports programs across St. Maarten. With your help, we continue to build a stronger, more united sporting community.

On behalf of the St. Maarten Sports Federation, thank you for being a part of this success story.

Follow all sports and recreational activities on our social media pages @Sint Maarten Sports Federation. 

For more information, please contact:
Maria Collazos Cotton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Kadaster St. Maarten is now officially GIS Ready, following the deployment of its in-house Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. This milestone reinforces Kadaster’s commitment to digital transformation, improved service delivery, and spatially enabled land administration.

Developed in close collaboration with GIS4C B.V., the new system includes the implementation of ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Pro, Drone2Map, and on-premise GIS infrastructure. In addition to the technical setup, GIS4C also provided intensive training to cross-departmental staff, ensuring that the knowledge gained is embedded throughout the organization.

“This is a turning point for Kadaster,” said Managing Director Benjamin Ortega. “With our GIS foundation in place, we can now streamline internal operations, deliver more accurate spatial data, and support our clients including government, utility companies, legal entities, and the general public with modern digital services.”

As part of Kadaster’s commitment to youth development and knowledge-sharing, one student from Milton Peters College (MPC) who interned at Kadaster was invited to take part in the GIS training. The organization is actively exploring further collaborations with local schools and educational institutions to give more students hands-on exposure to GIS and how it can be integrated into new and emerging technologies.

The new GIS platform enhances Kadaster’s ability to visualize and analyze land parcel data in real time. It supports improved spatial planning and emergency response, and makes it possible to integrate geographic data directly into day-to-day workflows. The system also strengthens Kadaster’s capacity to collaborate with clients through dynamic, map-based services.

To better tailor these services, Kadaster is introducing a new approach to client segmentation based on GIS usage. “A Clients” include users who need view-only access to spatial data, such as notaries, law firms, and the general public. “B Clients” are those who require limited interaction with spatial datasets. “C Clients” include government agencies and technical partners who need full access to GIS capabilities for planning, analysis, and decision-making.

Kadaster’s GIS initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize its digital services. In the coming months, the organization will introduce drone-based mapping and aerial data collection as a new tool for land surveying and analysis. Further training and capacity building efforts are also planned, along with the rollout of enhanced GIS-based services for the public. Kadaster is also seeking strategic partnerships with infrastructure and utility stakeholders to expand the use of GIS in national development.

A consultation process is currently underway to gather input from internal teams and external stakeholders. This feedback will help refine the GIS roadmap and ensure that the platform continues to evolve in line with service needs and the national vision for digital transformation.

PHILIPSBURG:---The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is currently investigating an armed robbery that occurred at approximately 11:33 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Sunshine Supermarket, located on Genip Road in St. Peters.

According to initial reports, an unknown male suspect entered the establishment and, under threat with a firearm, demanded cash from the cashier. The suspect managed to flee the scene with an estimated amount of $200 from the cash register. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.

KPSM’s detective department is actively investigating this matter. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist in identifying the suspect is urged to contact the police station or call the anonymous tip line at 9300.

The Sint Maarten Police Force continues to encourage all businesses to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. The safety of the community remains a top priority, and the public’s assistance is vital in bringing those responsible to justice.