PHILIPSBURG:--- Last Tuesday Advisory Chairperson of Foundation Cooperative Funds Angela Dekker and Jose Sommers, Project Advisor, visited Milton Peters College to see first-hand students in action while building their 15 foot Skerry design sailing vessel. This initiative is part of a larger project, called Build Your Future presented by the Kids at Sea Foundation. This project aims to introduce youngsters to the marine sector in a fun and educational way, as well as giving the participants experience in practical education, problem solving, team work, and the sport of sailing.
The purpose of the visit was to also present the Kids at Sea Foundation with the grant awarded by the funding agency Collaborative Funds. "We are delighted to support this initiative and to see its progress, as it is the first out of three projects for St. Maarten to receive funds under the general program "Opportunities for Youngsters in the Dutch Caribbean", said Ms. Dekker. This program has selected 18 projects throughout five Dutch Caribbean islands and aims to support and guide youngsters in their school and/or career path way so they can increase their chances of success.
Board members of the Kids at Sea Foundation and their participants showed their appreciation for this generous donation as can be seen in the picture. Kids At Sea Foundation President, Lorraine Talmi said "We are so thrilled with the support we have gotten for Build Your Future both locally and from Cooperative Funds through this grant, we believe it will secure the future of the program for many years to come."
NGOs interested in applying for a grant can contact local Cooperative Funds Project Advisor, Jose Sommers at 586 0808 or visit the website www.samenwerkendefondsen.org.