PHILIPSBURG:---  On the occasion of the International Day of the Elderly, the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), led by the Honorable Minister Richinel Brug, proudly honored seven distinguished individuals whose decades of dedication, service, and leadership have made a lasting impact on St. Maarten’s community life.

The recognition ceremony celebrated the following community pillars:

Ms. Elvia Theodora Guy returned to St. Maarten in 1977 after completing her studies in district nursing in the Netherlands. She served at the Department of Public Health and later at the Social Services Department from 1978 to 2009, where she rose to the role of Department Supervisor. Ms. Guy’s compassion, leadership, and steadfast commitment to social welfare touched countless lives throughout her career.

Mr. Charles “Freddie” Maccow, St. Maarten’s first qualified Health Inspector, began his public health career in 1967 and played a pivotal role in establishing the island’s Hygiene Department in 1972. A lifelong advocate for environmental health, he pursued advanced studies in the United States and Germany. He also served as President of the Cole Bay Community Council. His contributions continue to shape public health standards across the region.

Mr. Joseph “Joe” Gumbs, who migrated from Anguilla at age 12, became a beloved entrepreneur and pillar of the local business community. After working with the late Charles M. Wathey, he and his late wife opened Joe’s Shopping Center on Back Street in 1972. Now celebrating 53 years in operation, Joe’s Shop remains one of St. Maarten’s last true “mom-and-pop” establishments—a testament to resilience, family, and community trust.

Nurse Linda Piper returned to St. Maarten in 1973 and built a distinguished career in youth healthcare. Her pioneering work in school immunizations and health screenings helped address emerging issues such as childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes. She played a key role in shaping vital health initiatives, including the Youth Obesity Project, School Canteen Guidelines, and Take the Challenge: Eat Healthy St. Maarten.

Ms. Nacili “Anna”, originally from the Dominican Republic, made St. Maarten her home in 1983 and quickly became a respected leader in the beauty industry. Known for her artistry and mentorship, she trained countless aspiring beauticians and prepared generations of Carnival queens, brides, and young women for their special moments—leaving behind a legacy of beauty, empowerment, and self-confidence.

Pastor James Augustus Young, originally from St. Vincent, has lived on St. Maarten since 1970. A master baker and devoted spiritual leader, he began baking in 1972 with Scott Bakery and later founded Caribbean Bakery, which served the island until 2012. For over 40 years, he has led Bible Baptist Church in Sucker Garden, embodying a life of faith, service, and community leadership.

Mr. Oscar Gladwyn David began his mechanical career at the young age of 13 and refined his expertise through international training. After decades of service at FW Vlaun & Son, he went on to teach for 30 years at the Vocational Training School. His mentorship has helped shape generations of local mechanics, many of whom have gone on to establish successful careers both locally and abroad.

In addition to these honorees, the Ministry recognized three of St. Maarten’s treasured centenarians—each a living testament to strength, wisdom, and the beauty of a life well lived:

• Marie Reiph, aged 105
• Olive Dauris Gertrude Wilson, who will celebrate her 104th birthday on October 29
• Barbara Richardson-Alexander, aged 101

Together, these honorees and centenarians reflect the very spirit of St. Maarten—resilient, dedicated, and deeply community-minded. Their lifelong contributions across healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, faith, mentorship, and the arts have enriched the island and inspired generations to come.

The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor proudly celebrates their legacy and expresses sincere gratitude for their unwavering service to the people of St. Maarten.

"Our elderly are the living memory of our nation—keepers of wisdom, culture, and resilience. On this day, we honor their lifelong contributions and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring they live with the dignity, care, and respect they so deeply deserve.", stated Minister Brug.

CURAÇAO:---  From October 16–18, 2025, JCI SXM A.C.T.I.O.N proudly represented St. Maarten at the highly anticipated JCI Dutch Caribbean National Convention, a landmark event uniting chapters from across the Dutch Caribbean in celebration of leadership, impact, and collaboration.

The seven-member delegation was joined by five special guests, including the 1st runner-up of JCI SXM A.C.T.I.O.N’s 2025 Interscholastic Speech Competition, Jada Smith and her coach for the competition Mrs. Cheryl Dangleben-York from Caribbean Pearls Toastmasters Club. This annual convention saw participants engage in strategic meetings, national public speaking and debate competitions, and immersive training sessions designed to prepare the region’s next generation of changemakers. The convention also served as a celebration of the accomplishments of local JCI organizations throughout the Dutch Caribbean and an opportunity to build momentum heading into the new year.

This year proved to be especially historic for JCI SXM A.C.T.I.O.N. The chapter secured a total of eight awards for its outstanding contributions to community development and youth empowerment. In addition, Ms. Anjeanee Mathew was elected as the 2026 JCI Dutch Caribbean National President, and Ms. Christine Regis will be joining her board as the National Secretary, further cementing St. Maarten’s leadership presence at the regional level..

Among the highlights was the chapter’s win for Best Inter-Organization Collaboration Project for their impactful “Cover Your Lover” Safe Sex Campaign. This initiative brought together several local partners, including the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, Collective Prevention Services (CPS), Kalaboom, Dirty Dawgs, and various Carnival booth owners. The campaign promoted sexual health awareness in an engaging, culturally relevant way during Carnival 2025.

JCI SXM A.C.T.I.O.N also celebrated a strong showing in the national public speaking competitions. One Local Vice President Aisha-Jamila Mussington took home the Public Speaking Award Advanced Level, while another, Delano Samuel who only joined the organization in January, received the Public Speaking Award Rookie Level. The Youth Public Speaking Award was proudly claimed by the young delegate representing the Interscholastic Speech Competition, who had impressed judges with her poise, clarity, and message.

Delano Samuel who received the Rookie Award was further honoured as the Most Outstanding New Member, recognizing his remarkable commitment and impact within less than a year of joining the organization.

A moving moment during the convention was the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) Awards Ceremony, where three inspiring individuals from St. Maarten were recognized for their achievements. Awards were presented in the fields of Medical Innovation to Ms. Rolinda Carter, Business and Economic Accomplishment to Mr. Louinel “Skelet” Telisma who was accompanied by his wife Melissa Boasman, and Personal Improvement and Development to Ms. Dannah Abraham. Two of the recipients were present to accept their awards and delivered powerful remarks, while the third was represented by the chapter’s Local President.

The JCI SXM A.C.T.I.O.N delegation expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the recognition received and emphasized that the achievements reflect the collective effort of the chapter’s members, partners, and supporters. They credited the island’s spirit of community and collaboration as the driving force behind their success.

As the organization looks ahead to 2026, its members remain committed to creating positive change through leadership, service, and unity, reaffirming that “Opportunities Never End”, and that together, they are truly O.N.E.

For more information on JCI SXM A.C.T.I.O.N’s achievements and upcoming activities, please follow our Facebook and Instagram pages at JCI SXM Action.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Second Annual St. Maarten Reading Festival, held at the close of Literacy Month 2025, has been hailed a resounding success. The two-day event, a collaborative endeavor by The Sint Maarten Library, Biblionef Nederland, The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports, The University of St. Maarten, Help our Children Foundation, and 721 kids Foundation, brought together students, educators, and the general public to celebrate the power and joy of reading.

Group 5 students from various elementary schools enthusiastically captivated their fellow classmates with their reading theater performance, ‘The Tortoise & the Hare”.  The general public was warmly welcomed, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of community engagement and shared appreciation for literature.

The festival offered a rich and diverse program of literary delights designed to promote reading, writing, and an exploration of technology’s impact on literature. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant lineup of performances, presentations, and workshops celebrating storytelling and literacy.

Highlights included live drama performances such as The Night Owl & the Roosters, a Haitian folktale written by Charles Reasoner and performed by USM Education students, and De Twee Vechtende Eekhoorntjes, written by Rachel Bright and brought to life by Urmie Noordzee and her group. The festival also featured enchanting puppet theater productions, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears, presented by Patricia Maeir and her puppet troupe, and Enormuis, written by Angie Morgan and performed by Urmie Noordzee and her team. Every performance book was selected to inspire reading and share valuable life lessons.

Engaging workshops invited participants to explore Anansi stories through The Adventures of Anansi, delve into Caribbean storytelling traditions, develop creative writing skills in In Freedom I Speak, and discover the connection between AI and storytelling. Additional sessions included Voices on Canvas: A Journey through Mixed Media and Visual Poetry and practical Reading Tips for Early and Fluent Readers.

In addition to these highlights, the festival featured interactive activities specifically designed for children, a cozy reading café for relaxation and discussion, and captivating storytelling sessions that transported listeners to different worlds.

Gratitude and looking ahead, the St. Maarten Library expresses its sincere gratitude to all participating organizations for their invaluable involvement and support, which were instrumental to the festival's success. Heartfelt thanks are also extended to the students, teachers, and attendees who contributed to the event's vibrant and positive atmosphere.

The library hopes that everyone departed with a renewed love for literature and eagerly anticipates the next St. Maarten Reading Festival!

PHILIPBSBURG:--- In a move for animal welfare on the island, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Hon. Richinel Brug, and Member of Parliament Francisco A. Lacroes once again have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting community-driven initiatives aimed at improving the lives of St. Maarten’s most vulnerable its stray animal population. Following a motion presented by MP Lacroes during the 2025 Budget Debate in June, and a request from the Animal Welfare Foundation in August, the Ministry has agreed to allocate XCG20.000 toward a comprehensive sterilization and public education program designed to humanely control the growing number of stray animals on the island. The motion, which did not received broad support in Parliament, outlines funding from the Ministries of TEATT and VSA to cover spaying and neutering procedures, post-operative care, and awareness campaigns promoting responsible pet ownership. MP Lacroes emphasized the urgency of the issue, citing health risks such as leptospirosis and ringworm, which disproportionately affect children and vulnerable populations. “This is not only about animal welfare, it’s about public health and community safety,” Lacroes stated. “We must act now to prevent further suffering and ensure a cleaner, safer environment for all.” Minister Brug echoed this sentiment, praising the initiative and the organization and all volunteers and has confirmed the Ministry’s support. The program will be executed in collaboration with local veterinary professionals and non-profit organizations, including SXM PAWS and international partners such as 4 Leaf Rover, whom have also reached out to Minister Brug for support. A report on the campaign’s progress will be submitted to the Ministry and Parliament within six months of its implementation. MP Lacroes also proposed a legislative amendment to include a fee on animal import permits, creating a sustainable funding mechanism for future animal welfare programs, hoping that this also is taken up by the ministry responsible. This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing long-standing concerns about stray animals on the island and reflects the government’s and parliaments growing commitment to holistic community care.