PHILIPSBURG:--- On June 22, SZV Social & Health Insurances organized a team hike for its employees, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to promoting health and wellness among its employees.
As Sint Maarten’s social and health insurance provider, SZV understands and emphasizes the importance of fostering a healthy lifestyle within the community and among its employees. This hiking event is the latest initiative from our Human Resources Department aimed at enhancing employee well-being and transitioning towards a more people-centric culture.
The hike, which took place along one of the many trails of the Fleming Property in Cole Bay, was a resounding success. Employees enjoyed exploring the trail, taking in the scenery, and engaging in heart-healthy exercise. This event also provided a valuable opportunity for colleagues to connect outside the office, fostering stronger interpersonal relationships as a collective team.
“Your employees are one of your most important assets, and as an employer, SZV takes pride in the variety of tools, resources, and initiatives we have in place to stimulate a dynamic workplace culture and healthy work-life balance for our employees. Our previous health initiatives emphasized managing and preventing chronic illness and mental health awareness. This year, we are paying more attention to the importance of physical activity and expanding our health information topics based on our employee feedback and needs.” - SZV Management.

Cay Hill:--- The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is pleased to announce the successful update of its public crisis signs in collaboration with the Rotary Club of St. Maarten. This initiative underscores the commitment of both organizations to provide immediate assistance and support to those in need.
The updated signs now feature MHF's new crisis hotline number: 1 (721) 585 5556. In case of a Mental Health crisis, individuals are encouraged to call this number for immediate assistance. The hotline is staffed by trained professionals ready to provide support and intervention 24/7.
These signs have been strategically placed across St. Maarten to ensure maximum visibility and accessibility.
“This collaboration with the Rotary Club has been instrumental in enhancing our outreach and support capabilities,” said Dr. Hendkrikus van Gaalen Medical Director of the Mental Health Foundation. “By updating these signs with our new crisis number, we are making sure that help is just a phone call away for anyone in distress.”
The Mental Health Foundation expresses its profound gratitude to the Rotary Club of St. Maarten for their unwavering support and partnership in this vital project. Together, they encourage the general public to take note of these signs and share the crisis number with friends and family. Mental Health crises can happen to anyone, and timely intervention can save lives.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The members of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset celebrated a significant moment as they held their 2024-2025 Board Installation Ceremony at the Melange Grill on June 22nd, 2024. Distinguished guests, including the 2024-2025 Assistant Governor of St. Maarten and Anguilla, Elisia Lake, and the Assistant Governor of St. Barthelemy and St. Martin, George Gumbs, as well as Past District Governor Louis Wever and his wife Amanda Wever, and President Jharna Dialani of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, President Yvette Hart and Secretary Jon Hart of St. Maarten Mid-Isle, President Jean Marie Renard and Secretary Valerie Renard of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Nord, joined well-wishers at the restaurant to share and engage in fellowship. The evening was filled with various activities, and attendees enjoyed a delectable three-course dinner buffet. Rotarian Daniella Arrindell captivated the crowd with a beautiful rendition of the St. Martin Song, while Ms. Geraldine Hanson serenaded the audience with an inspiring song for the Rotary year 2024-2025. Mistress of Ceremonies Luciana Raspail kept the crowd enthused throughout the entire event.

During her reflective speech, outgoing President Kimberley Duzong, expressed how pleased she was to have served for two consecutive years. She also applauded the club members for their determination in carrying out Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Following this acknowledgment, she particularly highlighted members who displayed outstanding commitment throughout the Rotary year with the President’s Awards in areas that included Rising Star, Rotarian of the Year, and Board Member of the Year. The recipients were Rotarians Jamila Boirard, Kathy Africa, and Michelette Boasman-Rogers.

Assistant Governor Elisia Lake proudly installed Rotarian Franklyn Salomons as the club’s president for the new Rotary year, while Salomons installed and pinned the incoming board for the 2024-2025 term. President Franklyn delivered an inspirational message to all attendees, emphasizing the "WHY" of Rotary. He spoke passionately about the importance of being a Rotarian, connecting with others, and his reliance on the board members, Rotarians, and the community at large to help him effect change not only in St. Martin but also around the world.

The 2024-2025 board members of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset are as follows:
President Franklyn Salomons, President-Elect/ Secretary and Fundraising Chair Alex Pierre, Immediate Past President and Membership Chair Kimberley Duzong, Vice President/President Nominee and Public Image Chair Jade Maccow, Treasurer Jaida Nisbett, Rotary Foundation Chair and Club Learning Facilitator Elisia Lake, Sergeant at Arms Kathy Africa, Service Projects Chair Magdiona Gumbs, Club Administration Chair Cheryl Dangleben-York, Youth Service Chair Fabiana Beauperthuy-Richardson, Wellness Chair Linaisa Mardenborough, Disaster Relief/Environment Chair Chair Jason James.

The Rotarian wives Fabiana Beauperthuy-Richardson and Alia Mathew-Young awarded their husbands, Mr. Dimitri Beauperthuy and Mr. Leonidas Mathew, with the Rotary spouse’s pin. Rotarian Kathy Africa and Rotarian Jamila Boirard were awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) for their outstanding commitment to the ideals of Rotary. Continuing the legacy of Rotary’s founder, the Paul Harris Fellow program recognizes individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Carl N Sons Unique Inn and Conference Facilities in Cole Bay at 7:30pm. The club can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the official Facebook page at facebook.com/rotarysxmsunset.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Due to the passing of a weather system a few days ago, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is urgently calling on residents to take and continue the necessary actions after every rainfall event in eliminating mosquito breeding sites to effectively minimize mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue.

Dengue can become a life-threatening illness, and it is crucial for everyone to be aware of the symptoms and take the necessary precautions to prevent further mosquito breeding and transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
Source reduction is the key to decreasing the mosquito population. Due to the tropical nature of our climate, breeding habitats are in abundance, and many of them are, unfortunately, man-made.
Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half-inch of water. This is not much, and plant saucers, bottle caps, or plastic shopping bags hidden amongst vegetation/shrubs are some of those unassuming places that can gather a small amount and still be a huge breeding site for your backyard mosquito.

Breeding sites include anywhere where water can settle or remain stagnant for a certain time, undisturbed from garbage to your flowers/plants. This includes tin cans, old tires, empty paint cans, buckets, old saucers, flowerpots, cemetery urns/vases, old pet dishes, unused plastic swimming pools, boats on dry dock, used food containers, plastic drinking cups, plastic shopping bags or other containers or plants that collect and hold water.

Source reduction starts by covering, removing, or turning over containers, artificial artifacts, and unused boats, which can be potential breeding sites. It also involves properly maintaining the yard and surroundings by trimming overgrown vegetation.

A few tips/reminders: Get rid of any unused pots or bins or turn them upside down, so they don’t collect water; Keep trash and recycling bins covered. If you can, try drilling drain holes into the bottom of them; keep a fine-mesh screen over rain barrels, water tanks and cistern outlets. Clean your rain spouts regularly so water can flow and not become stagnant; and properly remove or treat old unused tires.

In addition, to eliminating mosquito breeding sites, weekly assess your home and workplace and eliminate the source. Use mosquito repellent to prevent the mosquitoes from feeding, follow the instructions on the product label. Aedes aegypti mosquito is attracted to dark spaces and clothing at dusk and dawn it is recommended to wear light coloured clothing during those times.
For issues surrounding mosquito breeding sites, contact CPS’ vector control team by calling 520-4161, 542-1222/1570, or 914.
Or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with supporting pictures and contact information to report a mosquito nuisance or request assistance.