Philipsburg:--- Members of the St. Maarten Nation Building Foundation held their fourth Soualiga Nation Building Jollification on Sunday at the Emilio Wilson Park where they introduced the members of the committee that will be dealing with the St. Martin Heritage Identification card. The members also signed a pledge that was drafted by the board members of the St. Maarten Nation Building Grassroots Foundation whose President is drs. Leopold James.
The committee members that were established on Sunday are Daniella Jeffry, Dr. Orillio Scott, Elton Jones, Horace Whit, Andre Patrick, Jean-Louis Rey (Ex-Rey) along with the board members of SNBF drs. Leopold James, Jessy Adams, and Larissa Hodge.
James told the gathering that the main purpose of the monthly Jollification which is held on the first Sunday of each month is to bring St. Maarteners together that are willing to stand up for their rights and recognition in their country. Most of the speakers felt that governments on both sides of the island have abandoned their people and are now mixing and meddling with persons who can finance their political party or give them what they need when they walk into the stores or other businesses that are owned by mostly foreigners on St. Maarten. James said that since St. Maarteners are almost forgotten he felt that it was time that the foundation start its operation at ground zero by organizing the monthly jollification. Horace Whit told the small gathering that most of the politicians on St. Maarten are locals and they are the ones that have failed their people. "These local politicians that were elected by us messed up when they chose to forget their own people. When politicians have failed to represent you then it's time we the people come together and represent and defend ourselves. We are the ones that developed St. Maarten and gave it the name the "Friendly Island" and today that name is thrown in our faces when we stand up for our rights and recognition." Dr. Orillio Scott said just recently he read in the news where the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot William commended the Indians on their Commemorative Day and he asked himself when the Prime Minister will realize that St. Maarteners should be commended for their day.
Elton Jones who is also one of the committee members said the government has failed its people miserably because one third of government's budget is spent on education yet when the youths of St. Maarten return home they cannot find work because they are considered over qualified. Jones said one of the reasons the people of St. Maarten came together and developed their island was ensure that St. Maarteners did not have to cross the seven seas to find work, but the current epidemic and failures of elected officials have given the St. Maarten youths no choice but to remain overseas to work and survive.
Click here to view more photos of Soualiga Nation Building Jollification held at Emilio Wilson Park.