PHILIPSBURG:--- The Funtopia Youth Foundation recently hosted its 3rd edition of the Youth Talk at Carl's and Sons Conference Center. This edition of Youth Talk features individuals from the community who are excelling in the creative economy. The youth talk forum serves as a platform for them to share their experiences, particularly their challenges, to inspire the younger generation.
This session spotlighted the incredibly talented Sandrine Sasa Jerome, an active member of the organization since 2015. Through her journey with the group, she has acquired a diverse set of skills as a performance entertainer and now holds a senior position as a youth leader, conducting face painting workshops for new members. Sasa shared an empowering message about coping with social anxieties and offered practical life skills for navigating difficult situations in everyday life. She articulated how Funtopia helped her overcome barriers and nurture her passion for self-expression through performance art, delivering a truly inspiring speech.
Adding further value to the event was guest speaker King Vers, who is no stranger to public speaking. He recounted his personal story of growing up in a challenging household and how he found opportunities on the streets that diverted him from his reality. Despite facing troubles and negative influences, he managed to grow through these life challenges and transform his perspective through music and acting. Today, he stands as one of St. Maarten's cultural icons.
These opportunities to share life stories with impressionable youth, who may be experiencing similar situations, foster hope and bridge generational gaps.
The highlight of the Youth Talk was the certificate ceremony for new members who participated in various skills training sessions over the past three months. Members who demonstrated consistency and engagement were recognized for their achievements. An average of 35 participants, aged 7 to 27, engaged in the Funtopia Skills Academy training workshops.
The foundation is proud to recognize youth member Abigail Smith for her outstanding attendance and participation in the majority of training sessions.
They would like to extend their gratitude to the following trainers for their invaluable support in cultivating cultural heritage skills:
Orientation Day: Hosted by Foundation President Lucinda La Rich Audain and Vice President Apollonia Violenus, who addressed topics such as branding, customer service, and membership expectations.
Caribbean Music and Rhythm: They were privileged to have Gwoka Riddim teacher Sammy from Guadeloupe, who taught the djembe players various rhythms and songs. Active students showcased their talent at the Caribbean Drum Festival hosted by Swalika in October.
Traditional West African Djembe: Teacher Soulyeman Camara has been training the youth for two years, sharing the traditions of his African village through djembe and dundun ceremonial riddims.
Dance Techniques: Teacher Rudy worked with members on advanced dance techniques in Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Modern styles.
Face Painting and Henna Skills: Youth Leader Tamica Damier hosted workshops where members learned line skills and blending techniques for popular designs.
Stilt Walking Training: Youth Leader Quair Hodge conducted basic stilt walking training for new walkers aged 7 to 12, as well as advanced stilt stunts for skilled teen walkers.
Creative Art Expression Workshops: Foundation President La Rich Audain hosted Saturday workshops where participants explored their abstract inner landscapes through exercises that challenged them to convey emotions and feelings through shapes and colors with mixed media and surfaces.
At the end of the session, the newly established Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation's Social Events Committee took center stage to generate excitement for the 2026 social event calendar, designed to engage both members and the broader community. The committee is chaired by Amanda Smith, with Zymani Bass serving as Treasurer, Zovanique Lugiss as Secretary, and General Committee Members including Nariah Marlin, Sue Kishana Bera Simon, Laniesha Webster, Zora Eeswijk, Krista Hyman, and Sierra Hodge.
The Funtopia Initiative Youth Foundation is immensely grateful for the community's unwavering support, which has been instrumental in making this event a resounding success. The Youth Talk continues to be a beacon of inspiration and empowerment, fostering a space where young minds can flourish, connect, and dream big. As we look forward to future editions, our commitment remains steadfast in nurturing the potential of tomorrow's leaders and creative thinkers.
For those inspired to join or contribute to our mission, we welcome you to become a part of our growing family. Together, we can build a brighter future, one inspiring story at a time. Thank you for believing in the power of youth and the strength of community.
The Funtopia Youth Initiative hosts these training and development programs through membership participation fees and fundraising efforts. If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please feel free to contact them via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
MP Omar Ottley Urges Community Respect for Law Enforcement Amid Rising Tensions.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In a heartfelt message to the young men in our community, MP Omar Ottley emphasizes the importance of respecting authority and the consequences of confrontational behavior towards law enforcement. The recent incidents involving clashes between young individuals and police officers have raised significant concern, prompting MP Ottley to speak out against this troubling trend.
"We are witnessing a worrying pattern where young men are engaging in battles against police officers," said MP Ottley. "This is not a trend that should be started. As a proponent of peace, equality, and entrepreneurship, I urge our youth to choose a different path. Engaging in confrontations with law enforcement only escalates tensions and can lead to devastating outcomes."
MP Ottley acknowledges the frustrations and challenges faced by young men in the community, but stresses that resorting to violence and crime is not the solution. "If you choose a life of crime, understand that there are risks involved. The reality is that law enforcement will respond, and the consequences can be severe.”
The message is clear: every action reacts. MP Ottley calls on the community leaders to get involved. "We must work together to create an environment where young people feel empowered to pursue positive opportunities rather than engaging in destructive behavior.
Debate Team Takes It All in One Weekend.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, November 21st, 2025, St. Dominic High School proudly represented Dutch St. Maarten in the Regional Rights of a Child Debate. Competing against teams from St. Kitts, Anguilla, Martinique, St. Barths, and French St. Martin, our students emerged victorious, winning the overall debate competition! Representing SDHS were the speakers:
Nyah Kalmera (F5B),
Aditi Rajpal (F4C),
Tamanna Sharma (F4A), and
Tanishka Shroff (F4A).
The very next day, Saturday November 22nd, 2025, the debate team had readied themselves to faceoff St. Maarten Academy Academic in the finals of the Annual Interscholastic Debate Competition at the University of St. Martin. SDHS argued in favour of the moot: "Our Modern Carnival does not preserve the culture for the youth". Our speakers for this event were:
Magdalina Dorlis (IB1),
Tyrique Walsh (4C), and
Tanya Halley (4B)
Special congratulations to Magdalina, who was named the Best Speaker for the evening!
That night, mentor for the Debate Team and Head of the Social Science Department, Ms. Daniella Arrindell, received high praises for her guidance and the team's growth throughout the competition season.
The SDHS Debate Team consists of 31 students (including researchers, writers, and speakers) guided by Ms. Arrindell and supported by amazing parents—a true recipe for success!
Congratulations to the entire team on this outstanding achievement!!!
5:51 PM
CBCS announces a new bond issue on behalf of the Government of the Country of Sint Maarten.
WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, December 4, 2025, there will be a bond issue by the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) on behalf of the country of Sint Maarten. This bond issue has the following specifications:
XCG 30.300.000,-- bond with a duration of 30 years. The interest rate is based on the Dutch yield curve as of December 2, 2025. The yield as of October 6 for a 30-year loan was 3.441%. The bond will have annual annuity redemption starting on December 4, 2026.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the Dutch State Treasury Agency (DSTA) will be allowed to subscribe, and after that, up to Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 12:00 P.M., the general public will be able to subscribe to this bond issue at all commercial banks on Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Subscription will take place according to the tender system in which parties indicate for which amount and price they wish to participate in the loan, thereby revealing their desired yield.
After the closing of the subscription, the CBCS will publish the price of the issue. Parties that have subscribed for a higher price than the price of issue will receive full allocation. Parties that have subscribed at a price equal to the price of the issue will receive the remaining amount of the issue.
The subscription forms can be downloaded from our website:
https://www.centralbank.cw/functions/market-operations-payments/government-loans-sint-maarten.
Willemstad, November 26, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN
Teen Times Writers Tour SMGH Construction Site.
CAY HILL:--- Sixteen writers of Teen Times, a newspaper supplement of The Daily Herald for teenagers, recently toured the construction site of the new St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH). Upon arrival, the excited writers were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure their safety during the tour, as it is an active construction site.
The tour began with a presentation on SMMC and SMGH to allow the writers to make a connection between the construction concepts, technical drawings, floor plans, and the current progress. The presentation, given by SMGH Project Manager Erika van der Horst and Senior Communications Officer Shari de Riggs, covered various topics related to the hospital and the construction project, such as SMMC’s history and current operations, construction progress, upcoming construction activities, and career opportunities within the new hospital.
Many of the writers attended SMMC’s Community Clean-up of Little Bay Pond and bird watching tour earlier in November and were able to make a link between the interior concept of the building and real-life inspiration. After the presentation and safety briefing by the Health and Safety Officer of FINSO, the project’s general contractor, the team was led to the highest current point of the building, which was the fifth floor/technical level and worked their way back down to the ground floor. They were also able to see the future Operating Theaters, Dialysis Department, Radiology Department and Emergency Room. An eye-opener for them was seeing the less than one meter space between the new building and the current facility.
The writers posed many thoughtful questions, indicating their interest in the future of the island’s healthcare and hospital care systems and were invited to return for another tour upon the completion of the project.
“We were delighted to welcome the bright, young minds of the Teen Times team for a behind-the-scenes look at our hospital construction project. Engaging with the next generation of future healthcare professionals, community members, and patients of SMGH is essential as we work to build a sustainable, high-quality healthcare system that will serve them and generations to come, right here close to home”, remarked SMMC.
Both construction and organizational transition activities are in full swing as the hospital prepares to move from SMMC to SMGH in the near future.