PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sister Borgia Elementary School Management Team recently held a Fundraising Social Night in its efforts to raise additional resources to cover the costs of purchasing digital boards for the next academic year. The school’s manager Ms. Edmaira Jacobs, Ms. Edwina David, and the rest of the school’s organizing committee, known as Team Awesome, sought the support of Fish Da Mega Boss, who in turn contacted It’s Time SXM Foundation for the possibilities of their participation and contribution towards the community fundraiser.
Mr. Ohndhae Marlin of It’s Time SXM Foundation: “When contacted by Fish Da Mega Boss, three things came to my mind that resulted in immediate action by our foundation members and board to make a contribution. The first was that the Sister Borgia School was once managed by its former principal, the late Mrs. Mavis Brooks-Salmon. A woman who made significant contributions to the school and the country as a member of the Council of Advice, and a strong advocate for education. My daughter Maisha Marlin, a member of It’s Time SXM Foundation, and former student of the Sister Borgia School was first to jump to a profound yes! Indicating that it was only fitting to assist the school in honor of “Aunty Mavis” – as Mrs. Brooks was often called by members of our family.
Mr. Marlin continued: “The second, is that as a community, we must recognize that St. Maarten is blessed and continues to have very low levels of violent behaviors within our school system in comparison to recent developments in the United States, where we read and see the attack on the innocent children in classrooms. Children who went to school one morning and did not return home because of a single gunman. We must be grateful and continue to support our schools in every way possible to ensure that we maintain safety and provide the tools required for learning in that safe environment. The last thought that led to our decision to support this initiative was the fact that together we can do more, and when called by a great calypsonian like Fish Da Mega Boss, we knew that the call required a great response of support as well. We contacted the Brooks family and immediately they jumped on board to contribute with us.”
Mr. Earlon Brooks and Ms. Najhilah Brooks, the children of the late Mrs. Mavis Brooks Salmon, and foundation members Labriska Courtar, Elton Richardson, and Jimmy Challenger were present during the symbolic cheque presentation by It’s Time SXM Foundation President Mr. Ohndhae Marlin to Sister Borgia’s School Manager Ms. Edmaira Jocobs: “We are thankful to It’s Time SXM for their generous contribution to cover the cost of one digital board and will look forward to continued support from the community at large to meet our goal of eight digital boards for next school academic year.”
As the schools continue to implement learning through digitization, the contributions made by corporate sponsors and non-profit organizations like It’s Time SXM Foundation help to bridge the gap in funding that is key to covering the costs of the tools and equipment required for e-learning initiatives. It’s Time SXM will continue pushing forward and supporting these types of community projects, as long as resources are available, under the premise that together we can achieve more. The foundation thanks to the community for their continued positive support which in turn provides for It’s Time SXM’s ability to do more in return.
