MARIGOT:--- Ensuring accurate voter registration is crucial for the efficiency and fairness of any electoral process. The Collectivité of Saint-Martin has launched a voter registration update initiative to optimize electoral operations, and residents are encouraged to confirm their postal addresses as part of this effort.

Purpose of the Initiative

The service des élections in Saint-Martin is conducting an address update campaign to verify and maintain correct voter information. This ensures that electoral documents, such as voting materials, are delivered to the correct addresses. The initiative emphasizes the need for voters to confirm their addresses and provide the necessary documentation for verification.

When and Where?

A voter registration office is temporarily set up in Grand Case to facilitate this process. Here are the details:

• Dates: Monday, June 30, to Friday, July 4, 2025

• Location: Local EDF office, Rue du Cimetière, Grand Case

• Hours: 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM

serves explicitly

• Send documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

4. Through WhatsApp:

• Send required documents to +590 690 33 61 06.

Documents Required

To confirm your address, you need to provide:

• A copy of your ID.

• Proof of residence, such as a utility bill. If you are staying with someone else, an attestation d’hébergement (proof of lodging) is required.

• Why It Matters
• This update is not just a bureaucratic formality; it is a crucial step to ensure every voter can participate in elections seamlessly. Accurate address information helps avoid delays or issues with receiving voting materials, guaranteeing that every eligible voter is prepared for election day.
• The Collectivité of Saint-Martin encourages all voters to take this initiative seriously and verify their information promptly. Together, we can help ensure the success and integrity of the electoral process.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The John Larmonie Center was filled with pride, joy, and tears of triumph on the evening of Thursday, June 26, as fifteen determined students proudly walked across the stage to receive their certificates, marking the successful completion of a transformative 12-month Hospitality Skills Training course. The graduation ceremony wasn’t just a celebration of academic success—it was a celebration of resilience, redemption, and hope.

The course, titled "Second Chance by Community Hospitality & Recreational Intermediate Skills Training (C.H.R.I.S.T.)," was specially designed for marginalized young adults between the ages of 20 and 40—many of whom have faced significant life challenges including dropping out of high school or lacking access to positive mentorship. Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation implemented it under the leadership of Executive Director Mrs. Donna Morrison Wilson, whose unwavering commitment to youth empowerment continues to change lives.

“Tonight we celebrate not only achievement, but the ability to rise, to transform, and to believe again,” said Mrs. Morrison Wilson during her address. “Our island’s economic heart is hospitality, and by investing in these individuals, we are investing directly in the future of St. Maarten.”

The course was facilitated by none other than hospitality veteran Mr. Early Charlemagne, a Certified Hospitality Departmental Trainer through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEi). With over 30 years in the industry, Mr. Charlemagne infused the program with passion, structure, and professional insight, preparing participants not only to serve, but to lead.

“This was more than just a training course,” said Mr. Charlemagne. “It was a mission—my mission—to help shape ambassadors for St. Maarten’s tourism industry. Hospitality is our breadbasket, and we must train people who not only understand service, but live it.”

A Curriculum Rooted in Excellence and Empowerment

The students underwent a rigorous and holistic training program that covered both technical and personal development areas. Beginning with fundamental theory in Public Health & Sanitation, Social Skills, and an Introduction to Hospitality, they quickly advanced into professional certification courses including:

• Guest Service Gold – earning them the title of Certified Guest Services Professionals (CGSP)
• Restaurant Server certification
• Front Desk Representative training
• Food Handlers Certification, a mandatory industry standard
• WIEMS First Aid & CPR training

To ensure a well-rounded formation, Ms. Maria Chemont provided deeply personal development workshops covering Self-Esteem, Morals & Values, Knowing Your Worth, and Self-Presentation. These sessions empowered students to build confidence and cultivate the mindset required for consistent excellence in the hospitality field.

Real-World Application and Industry Collaboration

Five of the graduates were able to further hone their skills during a one-month internship at the prestigious Simpson Bay Beach Resort, where they received practical, hands-on training in various departments. Their performance was reportedly outstanding, earning praise from the resort’s management for professionalism and adaptability.

“We are sincerely grateful to the management of Simpson Bay Beach Resort for opening their doors and supporting these young professionals,” said Mr. Charlemagne.

SMDF: A Vital Partner in the Journey

The program was made possible through the generous funding and steadfast support of the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), a key NGO partner that continues to champion community advancement across the island.

“We are eternally grateful to SMDF,” said Mrs. Morrison Wilson. “Without their financial support and belief in our mission, this program would not have been possible.”

A Brighter Path Forward

As St. Maarten continues to thrive as a top Caribbean tourism destination, initiatives like the C.H.R.I.S.T. program are critical in preparing a workforce that is not only skilled, but passionately committed to representing the island with pride and purpose.

As the graduates received their certificates, applause filled the air and emotions ran high—many having overcome personal battles, setbacks, and self-doubt to reach this moment.

Some students expressed emotionally how the course was life-changing: “I never thought I’d find something I was good at. Now I feel like I’m part of something bigger—and I know I have a future.”

The Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation has already announced plans to continue and expand the program, with the goal of training approximately 15 new students each year—further affirming their commitment to shaping a more inclusive, skilled, and empowered hospitality workforce for St. Maarten.

For more information on the various programs offered by Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Telephone 1721 523-0901/523-8460/523-2170/586-9035. Visit our Facebook page Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation SXM.

PHILIPSBURG, SINT MAARTEN:--- Two leading environmental NGOs on the island of Saint Martin have signed a landmark agreement to enhance cross-border conservation efforts. The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten (NFSXM) and l'Association de Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin (AGRNSM) are pleased to announce the long-awaited signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between their organizations.

Though signed internally in March, the formal agreement was publicly celebrated at a ceremony held at the Great Salt Pond’s birding platform on the morning of June 30. The official partnership enables systematic and long-term collaboration between the two principal nature reserve managers on Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin. The organizations can now easily share human resources, exchange critical data, and carry out scientific research and educational programming together.

While national guidelines between the two countries had previously made it difficult for the NGO environmental authorities to align their work officially, progress was also delayed as each organization had been prioritizing its own development and internal stability. Only once this foundation was more secure did both parties have the capacity to pursue a sustained and meaningful transboundary relationship.

The partnership has already shown tangible benefits. Since March’s signing, staff exchanges have resulted in up to a 60% increase in human resource capacity for activities such as underwater coral reef monitoring and public educational events. Frequent communication between the organizations has led to immediate action — often within minutes — for cross-boundary responses to environmental crimes, distressed wildlife, and other reports. The organizations have also jointly submitted their first application for a regional project.

The MoU is the result of nearly two years of deepening cooperation, sparked by the overlapping project activities of NFSXM’s CORENA project and AGRNSM’s ReCorEA project, which focused on mapping and monitoring coastlines, including mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs. Though the groups have communicated in the past, particularly on invasive species management, this MoU marks the first step toward sustainable collaboration and integration between the signing organizations.

The agreement was signed by NFSXM Board Chairman Binkie van Es and AGRNSM Board President Anne-Karine Fleming. Directors Julien Chalifour (AGRNSM) and Leslie Hickerson (NFSXM) were also in attendance, along with CORENA and ReCorEA project managers Sabrine Brismeur and Clément Bonnardel.

“Though the natural ecosystems and wildlife of Saint Martin do not recognize political borders, they are strongly impacted by the very real differences in our countries’ environmental policies and management actions,” NFSXM and AGRNSM said in a statement. “As small non-profits, it can be challenging to keep up with just what we are doing on our side. When we share staff and interns, start working on projects together, and align our visions, we strengthen the effectiveness of our conservation work for Saint Martin. This agreement is long overdue, and we are very excited for our future together.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Institute of Arts (NIA) closed the 2024–2025 academic year with an unforgettable weekend of music and dance performances under the theme “Close to the Heart.”

On Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, audiences were treated to three spectacular dance showcases featuring students ranging from age three and up. Choreographed by esteemed instructors Mr. Rudolph Davis, Miss Beebee (Eolia Ada), and Ms. Arlene Halley, the recitals featured a rich variety of dance genres, including creative dance, ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, urban, and Afro-Caribbean, as well as an appearance by the Total Theater Teen group with Tr. Roos de Vries

As Ms. Arlene shared in the recital program, “Each step performed on this stage is more than choreography — it's a piece of someone’s heart.” The performances represented more than skill — they expressed the love, courage, and effort each dancer invested in the journey, inspiring the audience to reflect on what they hold closest to their hearts. Display boards in the lobby invited attendees to leave personal reflections and takeaways.

Ms. Arlene also shared a personal milestone during the event, marking her 50th year as a dance educator — a truly remarkable legacy in the world of performing arts.

The weekend continued on Sunday, June 22, with the concert “Sing It with the NIA String  Orchestra”, under the direction of Maestro Dennis Amajan, local vocal talents Benjamin Bell, Juline Gumbs, and Essynce delivered stirring performances that resonated deeply with the audience, accompanied by the young musicians.

A highlight of the evening was a surprise mid-show screening of a 20-minute documentary titled “Music Brings People Together” — a moving portrait of the Youth Orchestra’s journey from its 2020 launch during the COVID-19 pandemic to its vibrant presence today. Directed by filmmaker Mr. Peter Sagnia. The film was made possible through the generosity of the Republic Bank Sint Maarten N.V. through its Power to Make a Difference programme. This project was also supported by an intensive workshop week in November 2024 led by internationally renowned conductor Maestro Juan Cristobal Palacios from the USA.

The evening concluded with dynamic performances by the Youth Orchestra conducted by Mr. Neville James, bringing the weekend and school year to a meaningful close.

NIA extends heartfelt thanks to Republic Bank Sint Maarten, its dedicated teachers, passionate students, and the sold-out audiences who made Recital 2025: Close to the Heart a resounding success.

For more information, contact: The National Institute of Arts Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 520-0444