Oranje Fonds honors the organization for its efforts as an indispensable link

Fundashon Pro Bista Kòrsou has won an Appeltje van Oranje 2025 award. This afternoon at Noordeinde Palace, in the presence of King Willem-Alexander and Princess Beatrix, Queen Máxima presented the Oranje Fonds recognition awards to organizations that are indispensable in their communities. The other winners are Stichting Straat Consulaat from The Hague and Takecarebnb from Amsterdam. 

Indispensable Links 

This year, the theme of the Appeltjes van Oranje awards was ‘Indispensable Links’. These organizations see what is going on in society, listen to their target group, and are there when needed. They build bridges and establish connections, working together within the community and with relevant agencies and authorities. In this way, they contribute to a connected society in which everyone can participate and no one is left behind.  

Fundashon Pro Bista Kòrsou

Fundashon Pro Bista Kòrsou has been committed to helping people with visual impairments in Curaçao for more than 25 years. Through their powerful approach to rehabilitation and practical training, psychosocial counseling, and empowerment, they have helped hundreds of people regain their strength. Moreover, they strengthen families and society through this way of working. In this way, they make a double impact, for the individual and for society. 

The Appeltjes van Oranje are the recognition awards of the Oranje Fonds. They are presented each year to three social organizations that are committed to a connected society. The Queen presents the awards, and in anniversary years, the King does so. The award consists of a bronze statue designed by Princess Beatrix. They also each receive a cash prize of €25,000. This is the 23rd edition of the Appeltjes van Oranje. 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) is reminding the public that illegal dumping is strictly prohibited, following an incident that occurred on the evening of Sunday, October 5, 2025, at approximately 7:30 PM.

A large 20-foot container was illegally dumped in front of the entrance to the Sanitary Landfill, positioned dangerously off the sidewalk and onto several boulders, partially hanging into the road. This placement created a safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians.

VROMI, in collaboration with the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSM), swiftly coordinated efforts to remove the container from the roadway. The container has since been safely relocated to the side of the road.

The Ministry reiterates that the area in front of the Sanitary Landfill is not a designated dumping site, especially after the facility’s closing hours. Boulders were previously placed along the roadside to deter illegal dumping and unauthorized parking; however, these are sometimes removed by individuals attempting to dump waste or park vehicles illegally.

VROMI strongly urges all residents and businesses to adhere to the island’s waste disposal rules and regulations.

In order to proceed correctly, individuals are encouraged to visit the metal scrap yard directly to inquire about the proper procedure and any associated costs for accepting containers, large metal objects, or vehicles to be crushed.

The Ministry reminds the public that all refuse must be disposed of responsibly at the designated facilities and not abandoned along roadways or public areas, as such actions contribute to environmental hazards and obstruct public safety. Illegal dumping not only undermines community cleanliness and safety but also carries legal consequences.

The Ministry thanks the public for their cooperation and continued efforts to keep St. Maarten clean and safe.

PHILIPSBURG:--- SHOWME Caribbean, the Caribbean's premier provider of high-definition destination live streams, has partnered with WMVision International, a global leader in Location-Based Content for Broadcasters. This collaboration establishes SHOWME Caribbean as WMVision's primary Caribbean content partner, significantly boosting the exposure of St. Maarten and other Caribbean live hotspots to a vast international audience.

SHOWME Caribbean has built a strong following on YouTube by streaming high-quality webcam footage from popular island spots like St. Maarten’s Maho Beach. The content has drawn millions of viewers, capturing the beauty and vibrant life of the islands for a global audience.

WMVision International, in turn, operates a massive media hub marketplace with over 100,000 webcams worldwide, used by major global news, weather, and travel networks. Through this new partnership, SHOWME Caribbean's captivating live footage will be featured on WMVision's MediaHub, offering the island's massive visibility and promoting tourism awareness on a global, professional scale.

"This deal with WMVision creates an enormous platform for the islands," said Sabine Berger. "Our mission has always been to share the Caribbean's magic with the world. This collaboration allows us to reach a professional audience of media companies and millions of viewers, offering real-time exposure that will be invaluable for the region's tourism sectors."

This is a significant step for both companies, combining SHOWME Caribbean's beautiful live streams with WMVision's expansive distribution network. It provides a continuous, live window into the Caribbean, bringing the islands closer to millions of potential visitors around the world.

For Caribbean locations and hotels seeking to gain exposure, SHOWME Caribbean is actively looking for new partners. To showcase your location to a global audience with a live webcam, don't hesitate to get in touch with our team at showmecaribbean.com.

PHILIPSBURG:--- NAGICO Insurances is excited to announce the official launch of our NAGICARE SME Smart Health Insurance, a comprehensive and affordable medical plan, tailored to provide coverage for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs who no longer have medical coverage under SZV following the recent changes.
According to Tamisha Wigley, NAGICO’s Operations Manager for St Maarten, Saba & Statia, “The NAGICARE SME Smart Health product was created specifically for this target group, which no longer qualifies for SZV,” she said. “This plan is a complete all-in-one coverage which will ensure that the insured has access to quality medical coverage at an affordable rate. So, whether it’s a simple routine checkup or for an emergency, NAGICARE Smart Health will ensure you are covered, not only here locally, but also when you travel abroad. Our goal is to make healthcare more accessible for everyone.”
Under the NAGICARE SME Smart Health, the insured will have coverage for: Vision Care, Dental Services, Annual Checkups, Lab Testing, Preventative Care, Emergency Overseas Treatment, and much more.