PHILIPSBURG:--- In an atmosphere filled with pride, resilience, and celebration, the Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation (Hearts United) hosted a memorable graduation ceremony on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the John Larmonie Center in Philipsburg. The event marked the successful completion of the 12-month “Second Chance” Community Hospitality and Recreational Intermediate Skills Training (C.H.R.I.S.T.) program by 12 determined adult participants—individuals who seized an opportunity to rewrite their stories.
The graduating class represents the third cohort to complete the program since its inception three years ago, a milestone that underscores the growing impact of an initiative designed to uplift and empower those often overlooked by society. Sponsored by the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), the C.H.R.I.S.T. program continues to stand as a powerful example of how targeted training, mentorship, and compassion can create real pathways to sustainable livelihoods.
From the outset, the ceremony struck a balance between elegance and warmth. Moderated by Ms. Carshena Gordon, Treasurer of the Board of Hearts United, the proceedings flowed seamlessly, guided by her unique blend of professionalism and lighthearted humor that resonated with attendees.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake. Her speech, described by many as deeply moving and profoundly inspiring, emphasized the importance of second chances and the transformative power of perseverance. She commended the graduates for their courage and determination, reminding them that their achievements extend far beyond certificates—they represent renewed purpose and hope.
Also in attendance was Ms. Melanie Choisy, representing the SMDF, whose presence reaffirmed the organization’s continued commitment to community development and social empowerment initiatives.
Throughout the ceremony, several graduates took to the stage to share heartfelt testimonies. Their words painted vivid pictures of personal struggles, growth, and ultimately triumph. Many spoke of how the program not only equipped them with professional skills but also restored their confidence and sense of self-worth.
The comprehensive nature of the C.H.R.I.S.T. program was evident in the graduates’ accomplishments. Participants successfully earned multiple certifications through the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEi), qualifying them as Customer Service Representatives, Restaurant Servers, and Front Desk Representatives. In addition, they completed Public Health and Sanitation training, developed critical Soft and Social Skills, and obtained WIEMS First Aid certification—passing all components with distinction.
Yet, the program’s true strength lies beyond technical training. Under the guidance of co-facilitator Ms. Maria Chemont, students engaged in intensive personal development sessions covering self-esteem, morals and values, self-worth, and professional self-representation. These sessions proved transformative, reshaping participants’ perspectives and equipping them with the mindset needed to succeed in both personal and professional spheres.
Further enriching the program, students completed a one-month practical internship at leading hospitality establishments, including The Morgan Resort and Simpson Bay Beach Resort. Representatives from both institutions attended the ceremony, offering words of encouragement and acknowledging the graduates’ dedication and performance during their training. Their endorsements signaled a promising bridge between training and employment opportunities within Sint Maarten’s vital tourism sector.
The ceremony also featured remarks from program mentor and facilitator Mr. Early Charlemagne, a seasoned hospitality professional and certified trainer through AHLEi. He reflected on the journey of the cohort, highlighting their resilience and commitment to excellence. Ms. Chemont echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the profound personal transformations she witnessed throughout the year.
In closing, the Executive Director of Hearts United Donna Morrison-Wilson delivered a powerful message reaffirming the foundation’s mission: to remain a beacon of hope and positive change within the community. The success of the C.H.R.I.S.T. program, she noted, is not merely measured in certificates awarded but in lives transformed and futures reimagined.
As the evening concluded with applause, celebration, and a shared sense of accomplishment, one message stood clear—second chances, when paired with opportunity and support, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
For the 12 graduates of the 2026 cohort, this ceremony was not an end, but a new beginning. And for Sint Maarten, it was a reminder that investing in people remains the most powerful catalyst for lasting change.
This program is funded by the Sint Maarten Development Fund and facilitated by Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation HUHCF). The 2026-2027 cohort of the program began in March 2026 and would conclude at the end of February and currently has 15 students enrolled in the program.
For more information about the programs offered by the Foundation, please see our Facebook page or contact us on the following numbers 1 721 523-0901 / 523-8460 / 523-2170 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten is once again voicing its concerns for environmental conservation and public access on the island, following recent news about developments around Mullet Bay, Beacon Hill, and Little Bay.

For nearly three decades, since our founding in 1997, the Nature Foundation has worked – often quietly and behind closed doors – to protect Sint Maarten’s coastlines, wetlands, and hillsides. We have submitted countless assessments, provided formal advice, and engaged directly with the government. Sint Maarten’s natural ecosystems are essential to wildlife, recreation, culture, economy, and wellbeing, but we continue to lose them at alarming rates. The past few weeks have seen a flurry of activity, causing renewed concerns about the future of our remaining coastlines.

Last week, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) revealed that it is currently in court to keep Mullet Bay’s coastal area in public hands. Should the owner of the surrounding lands in Mullet Bay, Sunresorts Ltd. N.V., win the case, the rest of our beaches are at risk of the same. This means private owners may be able to deny access to residents through physical fencing or private security. While we remain critical of how our beach use has been managed under successive governments, and watchful of the potential impact on Mullet Pond - a nearby wetland of international importance – the privatization of public beach access is unacceptable.

Further cause for concern is the series of approved building permits for an address linked to The Morgan, published in the National Gazette last week. A March 3 Daily Herald article noted that future phases may include a breakwater and lagoon. This is the same site where, in 2020, a request for water rights was rejected after community members took to the streets in protest over concerns about a planned dolphinarium. We have not forgotten this, and we are watching closely. The Nature Foundation firmly opposes any coastal infrastructure of this scale without a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) - an independent process that evaluates how a project will impact our environment and communities before construction is permitted to occur.

Finally, active heavy machinery has also been spotted at the shoreline next to Little Bay Pond in recent weeks. Earlier this year, a website advertising a development called "Lagune Bay," showing buildings surrounding the pond and beach, drew public attention. The Nature Foundation has submitted negative advice on proposed developments around this pond multiple times. Little Bay Pond is one of only four remaining ponds in a country that once had nineteen. It is an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its brown pelican fishing grounds, Sint Maarten’s national bird. It is also a site of deep cultural and historical significance, as this pond sustained the lives of enslaved people on surrounding plantations for generations.

These three sites represent only a fraction of the harmful development that has caused so much frustration and hopelessness in Sint Maarten. We maintain that sustainable economic development and infrastructure can be pursued through a national spatial plan, high standards for construction approval, and meaningful community input. But our current pattern of development will not result in improved livelihoods – instead, it will deliver the destruction of habitats for our wildlife, loss of public access, increased strain on our electricity grid, more traffic on our oversaturated roads, and the erosion of our resilience in the face of hurricanes, energy crises, and economic shocks.

As a small non-profit organization, the Nature Foundation cannot change decisions made by courts or the Government of Sint Maarten. We can only provide advice on what sorts of decisions are in the interest of Sint Maarten’s communities, both people and wildlife. But much of our guidance has been disregarded in favor of more – more concrete, more permits, more money – rather than better – better living, better planning, better management. We urge residents and visitors alike to voice their feelings to elected officials, and for elected officials to overcome their partisan issues and work towards envisioning a better Sint Maarten. There is no time to lose.

COLE BAY:---  

Police have confirmed that an early-morning shooting on Welfare Road on Tuesday, April 21, stemmed from an attempted robbery targeting a patron near a popular restaurant, leaving three people injured, including an American tourist struck as an innocent bystander.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) said the incident occurred shortly after 4:00 a.m. in the vicinity of a well-known 24-hour restaurant. Central Dispatch received multiple emergency calls reporting gunfire in the area.
When officers and ambulance personnel arrived, they found a female visitor suffering from gunshot wounds to her lower extremities. She was treated at the scene before being transported to Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further medical care.
Further investigation later revealed that the restaurant itself was not the target. Instead, suspects allegedly attempted to rob a patron outside the establishment, and shots were fired during the confrontation.
Police said a total of three individuals were wounded in the incident. Among them was an American female tourist who was inside the restaurant when she was struck by a stray bullet.
Two of the victims received treatment at Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), while the third sought medical attention at a healthcare facility on the French side of the island. Authorities confirmed that none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
While responding to the scene, patrol officers reportedly observed a vehicle believed to be connected to the suspects. A pursuit was launched, but the vehicle managed to flee across the border into the French side through the Belle Vue area.
Police said efforts are ongoing to identify the vehicle and locate the individuals involved.
KPSM detectives continue to gather surveillance footage, digital evidence, and witness statements as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The incident has renewed public concern over violent crime in the busy Welfare Road district, one of the island’s most active nightlife and commercial corridors.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or who may have information relevant to the investigation to come forward.
Further updates are expected as the case develops.

PHILIPSBURG---  The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has raised serious concerns over a troubling increase in the severity of traffic accidents during the first quarter of 2026, despite the total number of road incidents remaining similar to previous years.
According to an analysis by the KPSM Traffic Department, while the number of accidents recorded between January and March was comparable to the same period in 2024 and 2025, the number of serious injuries and fatal crashes has risen sharply.
Most alarming is the number of road fatalities already recorded this year. In all of 2024, Sint Maarten registered five traffic-related deaths, while three fatalities were recorded in 2025. However, in just the first three months of 2026, seven people have already lost their lives in traffic accidents.
Police described the trend as deeply concerning and said a detailed investigation is underway to determine the root causes of the spike in deadly collisions. Preliminary findings point to dangerous and reckless driving behavior as major contributing factors.
Authorities have also identified several roads where serious accidents have occurred frequently, including W.J.A. Nisbeth Road, Welfare Road, and Bush Road.
KPSM said irresponsible road use by scooter and motorcycle riders, quad bike operators, and motorists who ignore traffic laws continues to endanger public safety.
Police warned that stricter enforcement measures will be implemented, especially on the identified high-risk roads. Motorists caught violating traffic regulations may face fines, confiscation of vehicles, arrest, or prosecution.
Beyond legal penalties, police stressed the devastating human cost of reckless driving. Serious accidents often result in permanent disabilities, life-changing injuries, and fatalities that leave families and communities grieving.
Officials also noted that frequent major accidents place growing pressure on emergency responders, hospitals, and law enforcement, while harming traffic flow and Sint Maarten’s reputation as a safe destination for residents and tourists.
KPSM is urging all road users to take greater responsibility by obeying speed limits, avoiding unsafe overtaking, wearing protective gear, staying sober behind the wheel, and remaining alert at all times.
Police said they will continue to monitor the situation closely and introduce additional safety measures, if necessary, to prevent further tragedies on the island’s roads.