~Empowering Communities, Saving Lives: A Vital Video Series on Suicide Prevention~

PHILIPSBURG:---  In a powerful effort to shed light on a crucial issue, the counseling degree program at Grace Hill Bible University, St. Maarten Campus, teamed up with the Department of Communications, Victorious Living, and the Ministry VSA to launch a compelling video series on suicide assessment, prevention and treatment. One of the recent episodes seeks to generate widespread awareness about suicide prevention among pastors and clergy, both locally and globally.

At the forefront of this campaign is Pastor Dominique Vital, a dedicated student at Grace Hill Bible University's Sint Maarten Campus. Under the mentorship of Dr. Erna Mae Francis-Cotton, Pastor Vital delivers a stirring video presentation addressing a critical, yet often neglected issue within the Christian community: the mental health struggles faced by spiritual leaders.

"As a pastor at Kingdom Life International Ministries—also known as New Life Family Church in Sint Peters—I recognize the unique challenges spiritual leaders encounter," shares Pastor Vital. His presentation, "Preventing Suicide Among Pastors & Clergy," boldly addresses the mental health struggles in the pastoral community and the urgent need for supportive systems.

**Key Discussion Points:**

-Invisible Struggles: While statistics on pastoral suicide or suicide attempts in Sint Maarten are sparse, the reality is frequently overlooked.

-Immense Burdens: Pastors provide critical spiritual and emotional support, making them susceptible to compassion fatigue and burnout.

-Breaking Stigma: Fear of judgment or shame often deters pastors from seeking the mental health support they need.

-Prioritizing Well-being: Just as pastors guide their congregations, they too must be encouraged to focus on their own mental health.

-Tailored Mental Health Services: The need for clergy-specific counseling is growing.

-Skills Development: Access to workshops on stress management, burnout prevention, and suicide awareness for pastors and ministry leaders is essential.

Recent US statistics reveal a troubling mental health crisis among pastors:

-Overwhelmed by Mission: 85% of pastors feel immense pressure to fulfill the church's mission.

-Balancing Acts: 77% of millennial pastors spend over 20 hours weekly with their families, amid their ministry duties.

Pastor Vital concludes with a strong message: "Suicide among pastors can and must be prevented. Our faith communities need to see spiritual leaders as humans who require support. Tools and resources are here to help pastors face mental health challenges while continuing their vital service to others."

Pastor Vital’s presentation is a clarion call for change—urging churches, religious bodies, and communities at large to invest in mental health resources for clergy and congregants alike. "By opening up these conversations and providing necessary support, we can save lives," affirms Vital. "Action is needed now—before more heartbreak afflicts our community."

Adding his voice to this cause is Georges H. Richardson, another dedicated student at Grace Hill Bible University (Sint Maarten Campus). "Dr. Francis-Cotton recognized the widespread hurt and need for hope in our community," Richardson explains. "My presentation, 'IGNITING HOPE: PREVENTING SUICIDE,' focuses on outreach, awareness, and education—equipping individuals to identify warning signs and take every threat seriously."

For more information or to explore ways to support this life-saving initiative, please visit the Department of Communications' YouTube and Facebook pages, or reach out directly to Dr. Francis-Cotton at +1-721-524-8731 or via www.victoriouslivingfoundation.com.

PHILIPSBURG:----The suspect arrested in connection with the tragic shooting of Oualichi Movement for Change (OMC) leader Olivier Arrindell and his wife, Sabine, has recently petitioned for release before his trial. However, his request was denied, and he remains in custody in one of the French territories. This decision underscores the serious nature of the charges and the complexity of the case, which has gripped the attention of both local and international communities.
The shooting, which occurred on July 17, 2024, in the Cupe Coy area, left Sabine dead and Olivier severely injured. The incident has been marked by allegations of political motivations and tensions surrounding the upcoming elections. Olivier, who managed to drive his wife to safety before her tragic death, had previously expressed concerns about threats he received before the attack.
The suspect, a French citizen, was apprehended on July 22, 2024, five days after the incident occurred on July 17, 2024. The arrest was confirmed by the Prosecutor's Office of Sint Maarten, which stated that it marked a significant step forward in the ongoing investigation. However, due to the sensitive nature of the case, no further details about the suspect or the investigation have been publicly disclosed. French law, however, poses complications for the legal process, as it explicitly prohibits the extradition of French nationals. Under Article 696-4 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure, French citizens cannot be extradited to another country, regardless of the crime committed. This legal framework ensures that the suspect will be tried under French jurisdiction if the case proceeds.
Notably, despite the gravity of the charges, French law does not allow for the extradition of its nationals, even when accused of serious crimes committed abroad. The suspect's legal team had hoped for release ahead of the trial, but their petition was rejected by the courts, leaving him in French custody.
While details about the investigation and charges remain limited, authorities continue to work on gathering the evidence needed to move forward with the case. For now, the public must wait for more information as the legal process unfolds, but one thing is clear: justice will take its course, albeit slowly, under the complexities of French legal protections.

Source Late Night.

Young people aged 12 to 29 in the Dutch Caribbean can apply for funding from the Oranje Fonds starting in April 2025 for their social projects. With the Impulse Fund Verschilmakers: Jong!, the Oranje Fonds aims to encourage young people to contribute to a more connected and social society.

Youth engagement
The involvement of young people is essential for strengthening social connections. To encourage a new generation of social changemakers, the Oranje Fonds and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) are providing funding for youth-led initiatives. Young people between 12 and 29 years old can apply for grants ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 AWG/XCG or 500 to 2,500 USD through the Impulse Fund Verschilmakers: Jong! Applications will be reviewed by a youth panel.

Seeing opportunities
Young people often recognize opportunities in the challenges they observe around them. A great example of a successful project is YouthsWEAR. Angella once found only one shirt in her size at a clothing market. "I joked to my youth coach that I could do better. And well, I really did!" she says. Together with two other young people, she started organizing her own events. Since then, YouthsWEAR has been providing free clothing to young people who struggle to afford it. "It started small, but now we've outgrown our community center and established our own foundation."

Making a positive impact
The Oranje Fonds is looking for young people who want to start a project together that positively contributes to society and creates value for others. For more information, funding criteria, and the application form, visit https://www.oranjefonds.nl/verschilmakers-jong-money-your-social-project.

Youth panel
A diverse panel of 12 young people will evaluate all applications from the Caribbean and the Netherlands. Two members of the panel grew up in the Caribbean and are familiar with the social and economic context of the islands. Their insights help ensure that the Caribbean perspective is well represented in the selection process. Each year, assessment days take place in February, April, June, September, and November. To submit a project for the upcoming review round in June, applications must be received by June 1, 2025.

About the Oranje Fonds
Everyone matters. That is why Oranje Fonds is committed to building a society where people take care of each other, have equal opportunities, and feel connected to those around them. The Oranje Fonds supports social initiatives with funding, knowledge, and networks.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Windward Islands Bank announces details on bank operations for Caribbean Guilder (XCG) introduction.
As we enter the final phase of launching the Caribbean Guilder (XCG), Windward Islands Bank is taking key steps to ensure a smooth and secure transition for our customers. Please take note of the following important updates to our services and operations in the lead-up to April 1st.

Service Adjustments: March 31st – April 1st
To accommodate necessary system updates and regulatory requirements:
• On Monday, March 31st, all WIB branches will close early at 12:00 PM, as instructed by the Central Bank.
• Between 3:00 AM and 6:30 AM on March 31st to April 1st, certain services—including POS terminals, Instant Payments, and debit cards—may be temporarily unavailable. We will provide updates if there are any delays.
• On Tuesday, April 1st, branches will open later than usual at 9:30 AM instead of 8:00 AM.
• Our Personal and Business Online Banking system will be temporarily unavailable from
8:00 PM on March 31st to 11:00 AM on April 1st.
• Our Corporate Online Banking system will be unavailable from 4:30 PM on March 31st to
9:00 AM on April 1st.
We encourage customers to follow our WIB Facebook page for timely updates during this period.

ATMs Availability of the Caribbean Guilder:
Throughout April, WIB will gradually restock its Bankomatiko/ATMs with Caribbean Guilders.

Throughout April, WIB will gradually restock its Bankomatiko/ATMs with Caribbean Guilders.
• Weekly updates will be shared on our Facebook page, indicating which ATMs are dispensing the new currency.
• The maximum ATM deposit limit remains NAf. 5,000 (or XCG 5.000,-).
• ATMs that have not yet been updated will continue to dispense Antillean Guilders. These
will remain legal tender for payments until June 30th, 2025.
Exchanging Antillean Guilders for Caribbean Guilders:
WIB customers will have until March 31st, 2026, to exchange Antillean Guilders for Caribbean
Guilders.

• Customers can deposit Antillean Guilders into their account at any branch or, more conveniently, via Bankomatiko/ATM at our branch locations.
• Business clients may continue to use the 24/7 Deposit service for both currencies throughout the transition period.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we take this historic step forward. For more information and updates, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.