SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In celebration of World Children’s Day, the Department of Youth, in collaboration with UNICEF in the Netherlands, hosted approximately 160 students to participate in a special Children's Rights (CRC) Event at the Cultural Center.

As a run-up to World Children’s Day, over five hundred 6th-grade students have attended similar children’s rights presentations to promote meaningful youth participation, an initiative spearheaded by the Department of Youth and UNICEF in the Netherlands. This activity is part of the Child Resilience and Protection Project (CRPP) executed by UNICEF the Netherlands in collaboration with the Government of Sint Maarten, financed by the Government of the Netherlands through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, and administered by the World Bank.

The World Children’s Day Event was hosted by 6th-grade students Ms Brooklyn Bell and Mr Abdiel Joseph of the MAC J.A.G Campus alongside Lenworth Wilson, Youth Participation Specialist of UNICEF. The young hosts did a fantastic job, and set a good example of young people taking the lead.

During the event, the audience was treated to several cultural artistic performances by Ms. Shaneisha Robinson, Funtopia Youth Initiative, musical renditions by Sweet Pan and the highlight of the event, which was the screening of the film “What if I Told You”.

The film was recently produced by the Department of Youth and UNICEF the Netherlands on Sint Maarten and features an all-cast of 6th-grade students. The film touches on the critical role duty bearers, such as parents, teachers, and government play in the safe development of a child. Since Monday, this film is available for the public to watch on Facebook: Department of Youth SXM & UNICEF Sint Maarten.

The ceremony was closed with an announcement by the Department of Youth, which has launched a Children’s Right Art Competition: “The artwork should visualise one of the children's rights of the United Nationals Children’s Rights Convention (UNCRC) creatively. There are 54 articles, so there are plenty of children's rights to choose from! Remember, YOUth Participation Matters. On behalf of our Department, I encourage everyone to think about children’s rights and how to promote youth participation in your work and home environment,” concludes Mrs. Agard-Lake.

More information about this competition can be obtained via the Facebook pages of The Department of Youth (Department of Youth SXM) and UNICEF St. Maarten or by sending specific questions to deptof This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Caribbean Pearls Toastmasters Club proudly announces Cheryl Dangleben-York from Sint Maarten as the triumphant Face of WOHA for 2023-2024. Cheryl, currently serving as the Vice President of Public Relations at Caribbean Pearls Toastmasters Club, attests to the transformative power of Toastmasters International in honing her public speaking skills over the last 11 years.

Notably, she held the prestigious position of Division Director last year, showcasing the significant roles one can take on within Toastmasters.

Bringing the crown home to St. Maarten, Cheryl, with humility, aims to inspire and empower young girls and women in St. Martin.

Highlighting the impact of Toastmasters, Cheryl emphasizes that it equips individuals to represent themselves confidently anywhere. She encourages others to harness this power and invites them to join Toastmasters today to unlock their potential in effective communication and leadership.

This year's global Face of WOHA speaking extravaganza, showcasing unity and empowerment, demonstrates the transformative journey one can embark on through platforms like Toastmasters.

In her journey to Face of WOHA victory, Cheryl expresses deep gratitude to her family, friends, and Toastmasters family for their unwavering support and to those who financially supported her dream.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Please note that the installation of billboard signage, particularly those used during election campaigns, can cause damage to NV GEBE’s electrical and water grid. This could also result in untimely service disruptions throughout the community.

Moreover, the community is urged to please be mindful that excavation in high-tension areas could possibly result in the electrocution of the person(s) doing the excavation work.

For proper safety precautions, those planning to install any signage that requires digging and excavation are urged to please contact NV GEBE’s Distribution Office in Sucker Garden (former Potelco building).

Please inform NV GEBE about the specific location(s) where billboard signage is being installed, for thorough review and evaluation. This would allow NV GEBE to assess the area(s) in question and provide guidance on the technical infrastructure, as well as any potential dangers of the underground utilities in those respective areas.

Once NV GEBE’s assessment has been conducted, and that area has been declared safe, a waiver will be provided with clearance for excavation in the intended area(s).

Kindly visit NV GEBE’s Distribution Office or, provide images or drawings of the locations via e-mail to NV GEBE as follows: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Once received, NV GEBE’s technicians will review the area(s) in question and highlight the utility locations on the drawings/images. If it is not safe for installations to be done, as indicated on the documents provided, the utilities will be traced and marked in the field with recommendations for placement in other areas. If it is safe, N.V. GEBE will provide a waiver for those specific areas, as outlined on the documents/images provided.

Please provide N.V. GEBE with a minimum 2-3 days’ notice to thoroughly review the respective areas and provide a response. These are essential safety precautions for all concerned and the uninterrupted continuation of utility distribution to the entire community.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious matter.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Civil Registry Department has announced the third phase of distributing voting cards for the January 11, 2024, Parliamentary Elections. Registered voters who do not take advantage of the early voting card distributions at the Government Administration Building can receive the cards by mail via Postal Services Sint Maarten N.V. (PSS) from December 4, 2023.

The Civil Registry is allowing eligible voters to collect their voting cards at the Government Administration Building, from November 25 through December 1, ahead of the postal distribution service.

In the past, many voting cards have been returned by PSS, following information from homeowners that registered voters no longer reside at the addresses registered in the Civil Registry. The option to retrieve voting cards earlier alleviates returns and double printing of the voting cards. It is important to note that voters may request a reprint of their voting cards during and after all phases of the distribution dates leading up to Election Day.

“The intention was not to create cause for concern but to inform registered voters of the available option. This is especially crucial for those who have recently moved and have not had a chance to update their home addresses in the Civil Registry,” stated Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Silveria Jacobs, who hopes voters take advantage of the early collection times, which are scheduled outside of regular business hours to eliminate lines at the Government Administration Building.

The Ministry of General Affairs and the Central Voting Bureau encourage all voters to stay informed about the developing preparations for Election Day. Further details regarding polling station locations, voting hours, and public order protocols will be communicated in subsequent releases.