PHILIPSBURG:--- Every year, St. Maarteners celebrate SXM DOET Weekend, an initiative that started in the Netherlands over 20 years ago, inspiring the Dutch Caribbean islands to join shortly after. The various projects that take place over one weekend encourage people around the Netherlands and Dutch Caribbean islands to spend their time volunteering and giving back to the community.
This year, SXM DOET is taking it to another level by introducing initiatives aimed at the youth. The initiative comprises of two major projects that were uniquely designed to inspire the youth and give them a more active role in SXM DOET’s community-driven efforts. Both projects are being launched in December in honor of World Volunteer Day and World Soil Day. The first project is a youth internship program that focuses on providing St. Maarten’s youth with the opportunity to work alongside project coordinators to assist in designing initiatives to attract their peers to be more involved. The second project is a planting initiative that will be led by the Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Foundation as part of their new restoration project. It focuses on youth participation and stresses local sustainability. EPIC’s new initiative will help restore and protect Sint Maarten’s Brown Pelicans and Least Terns while also improving habitat, including removing invasive plants and replacing native species. Furthermore, education is a key component of the initiative, and the project will feature free presentations for schools, businesses, and the general public, thereby aligning with SXM DOET’s new initiatives.
Youth Internship Program
The SXM DOET Youth Internship Program opens the opportunity for two young individuals between the ages of 12-20 to work as interns alongside SXM DOET’s four project coordinators. Together, they will make a strong team that works on introducing more youth-focused initiatives with values like volunteerism and environmental responsibility. Through this opportunity, the interns will gain experience in project management, content creation, community engagement, and environmental sustainability.
Planting Event
The Planting Event will take place on December 15 at Fort Amsterdam, Divi Resort, from 8 AM to 10:30 AM to commemorate World Volunteer Day. The event will showcase youth leadership and the profound impact that the youth can make on the community’s environment. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to plant over 60 juvenile cacti that were generously donated by Greenfingers; with all materials being provided, including a light snack and refreshments. Persons are encouraged to dress in active gear and bring along sunblock and a reusable bottle. If participants have any extra gloves and shovels it is encouraged to bring them along! Aside from volunteering, this is also a great opportunity to highlight the importance of youth involvement in environmental activities. Interested volunteers can register via Volunteer.sx.
Both the Youth Internship and the Cacti-Planting event are pivotal initiatives that help unite the youth and bring them closer to our island community. These participants will aid in developing the volunteer movement and SXM DOET’s overall foundation by displaying the opinions and values of the newer generations. When passion meets purpose, giving back to the community is what everyone sets their minds on. The Youth Internship Program and the Planting Event mentioned above are two initiatives that demonstrate the importance of caring for the environment and engaging in the community. So come out and support whenever you can because this is your island, and you can make a change!
