PHILIPSBURG:--- The EYoung Talent Fund (EYT FoN), established by EY Dutch Caribbean as part of its broader community impact initiatives alongside EY Cares and managed by the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG), has officially expanded its reach to Sint Maarten and has awarded its first financial contribution on the island to Shanelle Kemoya Bucknor, a talented young dancer at NIA who has been accepted into the internationally renowned Alvin Ailey School in New York.
Established in Curaçao in 2017, the EYT FoN supports exceptional young talent in pursuing opportunities in the fields of arts, culture, science, and sports. Since January 2026, the Fund has also been available to young talent on Sint Maarten.
For Shanelle, acceptance to Alvin Ailey represents an extraordinary opportunity to further develop her talent at one of the world’s leading institutions for professional dance training.
A Story of Talent and Opportunity
During a recent Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG) Fonds op Naam Foundings Session on Sint Maarten, Shanelle shared her words of gratitude and gave a special performance that showcased the talent and dedication that led to her acceptance into Alvin Ailey.
Her teacher, Arlene Halley, also addressed attendees and emphasized the importance of investing in local talent, highlighting how opportunities such as these can have a lasting impact on young artists and the wider community.
Investing in the Next Generation
The expansion of the EYoung Talent FoN to Sint Maarten reflects its ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for talented young people across the Dutch Caribbean.
For Sint Maarten, the support provided to Shanelle Kemoya Bucknor represents more than a financial contribution- it is an investment in talent, ambition and the future of the island’s creative community.
Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset Marks Fifth Year of Supporting PWAS Graduates with Hygiene Kits.
Cole Bay:--- Continuing its commitment to youth development and student well-being, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset donated 14 hygiene baskets to graduating students of the Prins Willem Alexander Primary School (PWAS), marking the fifth consecutive year of this meaningful initiative.
The presentation took place during the club’s general meeting on June 8, 2026, where PWAS Director Mrs. Norma Barry and School Counselor Mrs. Jina Mamtani-Mahbubani accepted the donation on behalf of the school. The hygiene baskets, filled with essential personal care items, will be distributed to graduating students as they transition to secondary school.
Mrs. Norma Barry expressed sincere appreciation to the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset for its continued support, noting the positive impact the initiative has on students' confidence and well-being.
"Good hygiene builds confidence, self-esteem, and responsibility. Through this initiative, we hope to empower students with the essentials they need to begin secondary school with pride and confidence," stated Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset President Alex Pierre.
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset congratulates the graduating students and wishes them continued success as they begin a new chapter.
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Carl N Sons Unique Inn and Conference Facilities in Cole Bay. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow the club on Facebook and Instagram at Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset.
Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset Donates Digital TV Screen to Louis Constant Fleming Hospital Maternity Ward.
MARIGOT, Saint Martin:--- Every mother deserves access to information and support as she begins one of life's most important journeys. With that belief in mind, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset presented a large digital television screen to the maternity ward of Louis Constant Fleming Hospital on June 17, 2026, to help strengthen maternal and child health education for families across the island.
The television will be installed in a dedicated educational room where expectant and new mothers will be able to view instructional videos and demonstrations on essential topics such as breastfeeding, bathing newborns, infant care, and other important practices that contribute to the health and well-being of both mother and child.
The donation reflects Rotary's commitment to Maternal and Child Health, one of Rotary International's key areas of focus. Through projects such as this, the club continues to invest in healthier futures for families and provide resources that empower parents with the knowledge and confidence needed to care for their children.
"One of the greatest gifts we can give a child is a healthy start in life, and that begins with supporting mothers," said Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset President Alex Pierre. "We are honored to partner with Louis Constant Fleming Hospital in creating opportunities for learning that will benefit families long after they leave the maternity ward. Every parent deserves access to information that helps them give their child the best possible start."
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset remains dedicated to answering the needs of the community through service projects that create lasting impact and improve lives. By supporting education and wellness initiatives, the club continues to make a difference for the most vulnerable members of society and help build stronger, healthier communities.
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets every second and fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Carl & Sons Unique Inn in Cole Bay.
For more information about the club and its community service projects, follow the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset on Facebook at Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset and on Instagram at @rotarysxmsunset.
Minister Tackling Strengthens Justice Cooperation During Working Visit to the Netherlands.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Following her participation in the 35th Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling concluded a series of working visits and strategic engagements in the Netherlands from June 8 to 12.
The visit formed part of the Ministry's broader effort to translate discussions and insights gained during CCPCJ into practical engagements with Kingdom partners and institutions, while exploring approaches relevant to Sint Maarten's ongoing justice reform agenda.
Throughout the visit, the Minister met with Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel, Director-General for Kingdom Relations Barbara Wolfensberger, Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell, State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen, Attorney General Guus Schram, Deputy Director-General of Dutch Customs Mechteld Fletcher, Deputy Director-General Maaike van Tuyll, Deputy Director of FIU-Nederland Robbert Springorum, as well as representatives from correctional institutions, immigration services, customs authorities, and other justice sector partners.
The focus was placed on a number of priority areas for Sint Maarten, including youth crime prevention, firearms trafficking, border management, financial investigations, detention reform, and institutional capacity building.
Particular attention was given to efforts aimed at reducing youth involvement in crime and the illegal flow of firearms. This included initiatives being advanced under the “Preventie met Gezag” approach, aimed at supporting at-risk young males, as well as efforts to strengthen cooperation in tackling organized crime, criminal financial flows, and other forms of cross-border criminal activity.
Border security and Customs modernization were another major focus of the visit. Meetings with Dutch Customs addressed the ongoing Customs Recovery Plan, professionalization of the service, structured training opportunities, and reducing long-term reliance on external support. Progress was also discussed regarding the implementation of the ASYCUDA customs management system. The meetings also examined cooperation under the VGT framework, collaboration with French counterparts, and the use of technology to support border monitoring and enforcement.
The Minister also met with representatives of FIU-Nederland to discuss financial intelligence, anti-money laundering efforts, and Sint Maarten’s preparation for future international evaluations. Discussions highlighted opportunities for technical training, system development, capacity building, and stronger national coordination.
Several meetings addressed detention reform, staffing needs, mental health services, and rehabilitation programmes. Updates were provided on the Detention Sector Reform Program (DSRP), including construction progress, rehabilitation initiatives, and ongoing recruitment efforts.
As part of the visit, Minister Tackling visited the Justitieel Complex Schiphol and PI Nieuwegein Correctional Facility. The visits provided insight into detention management, immigration detention procedures, rehabilitation programmes, reintegration planning, and vocational training opportunities for detainees. At PI Nieuwegein, the Minister also met directly with Sint Maarten nationals currently serving sentences in the Netherlands. The conversations provided insight into the challenges of detention abroad, reintegration, maintaining family connections, and preparing for life after release. The Minister reaffirmed that Sint Maarten nationals serving sentences overseas have not been forgotten.
The visit further reinforced ongoing support and cooperation between the Netherlands and Sint Maarten in addressing shared challenges across the Kingdom.
Reflecting on the visit, Minister Tackling stated:
“Whether we are discussing youth crime prevention, border security, financial investigations, or rehabilitation, these are challenges that require strong institutions and strong partnerships. This visit provided an opportunity to assess progress, strengthen cooperation, and identify practical areas where we can continue building capacity and improving outcomes for Sint Maarten. I am encouraged by the continued engagement of our Kingdom partners and their willingness to support justice reform efforts across the justice chain.”
The Ministry of Justice will continue working with local, Kingdom, and international partners to advance reforms in crime prevention, border security, rehabilitation, detention management, and institutional capacity building.
Justice Partners Unite to Strengthen Public Safety and Enforcement Efforts.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) hosted a high-level coordination meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Philipsburg Police Station, bringing together representatives from KPSM, Immigration and Border Protection Services, Customs, and other personnel within the Ministry of Justice.
The session focused on developing joint strategies, improving information sharing, and identifying areas where combined enforcement and investigative efforts can yield more effective results. Particular attention was given to joint operations, coordinated enforcement actions, information sharing, and investigations that can benefit from a multi-agency approach.
The management teams agreed that the challenges facing the community today require a united response from all relevant authorities. By combining resources, expertise, and operational capabilities, the various departments can better address public safety, border security, crime prevention, and compliance with local laws and regulations.
These coordination meetings will continue regularly to develop strategies, establish priorities, and ensure a unified approach to protecting the people of Sint Maarten. KPSM remains committed to working closely with all justice partners to promote a safer and more secure Sint Maarten for all residents and visitors.