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Adventure, Creativity, and Cultural Celebration: Highlights from Mylo Freeman’s Successful Workshops in Sint Maarten.

pjlstorytime030022025PHILIPSBURG:--- The vibrant week of author and illustrator Mylo Freeman’s visit to Sint Maarten, sponsored by Biblionef in collaboration with the Sint Maarten Library, the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture, and Sports, and SECDA, was a resounding success. This inspiring initiative culminated in two unforgettable events that seamlessly blended creativity, education, and excitement."


A Day of Adventure and Creativity:
On the final day of activities, a dynamic illustration workshop was held for children aged 7-10 from Alexander’s and Brighter Child Afterschool Programs. However, the day took an unexpected turn when the building’s smoke detectors sounded, prompting a safe evacuation.
The children were met with a delightful surprise outside: Prime Minister Luc Mercelina! The Prime Minister took time to greet the excited children, creating a moment they will not soon forget. Once the building was cleared and deemed safe, the workshop resumed, allowing the children to complete their illustration activities. Despite the interruption, their enthusiasm and creativity remained unwavering.


Barbie Workshop: Celebrating Diversity and Creativity:
Earlier in the week, on Saturday, January 18, a special Barbie workshop was held for children aged 4-6 at the Government Building. This unique event celebrated diversity and imagination. Children brought their own Barbie dolls to the session, where they explored a fascinating collection of Barbie dolls representing various ethnic backgrounds.
Guided by renowned author Mylo Freeman, the children learned about the history of Black Barbie and engaged in hands-on activities, designing and decorating vibrant outfits for their dolls. The workshop not only sparked creativity but also encouraged discussions on cultural representation and inclusivity.


A Memorable Week with Mylo Freeman:
Throughout the week, Mylo Freeman, a celebrated author and illustrator, captivated young audiences at daycare centers across Sint Maarten. Through engaging workshops and readings, she introduced children to her beloved book Hello, Baby!, inspiring young minds with messages of love and acceptance.
The week’s activities showcased the power of collaboration in creating meaningful experiences for children. Biblionef, along with its partners, remains dedicated to fostering initiatives that merge education, culture, and creativity.


Writers’ and Illustrators’ Workshops: Nurturing Aspiring Creators
The highlight of the week was the Writers’ and Illustrators’ Workshops, held on Monday, January 20, and Tuesday, January 21, 2025. During the Writers’ Workshop, Mylo Freeman guided participants through the essential elements of picture book storytelling, including story structure, ways to activate a narrative using a basic storyline scheme, and key do's and don'ts of writing for children. Participants were then tasked with writing a short story based on the theme of "fantasy."
This was followed by the Illustrators’ Workshop, where Freeman emphasized the importance of composition, starting with small sketches to develop a feel for illustrations, experimenting with different perspectives, and expressing emotions vividly. Participants explored various artistic techniques, including watercolor, digital illustration, inks, and mixed media. The hands-on nature of the workshop allowed them to experiment with different materials and enhance their artistic expression.


A Special Appearance on Sint Maarten Library Virtual Storytime
As part of her visit, Mylo Freeman made a special appearance on the Sint Maarten Library’s Virtual Storytime, where she presented two of her books: Calling Dr. Zaza and Princess Arabella is a Big Sister.
In addition, her recently published book Hello, Baby! is part of an ongoing special promotion. While supplies last, babies and toddlers (ages 0-2) who register at the Sint Maarten Library will receive a Baby Kit, and children aged 3 will receive a Hello, Baby! backpack upon registration. For older children, Princess Arabella is a Big Sister was featured on the library’s program It’s Time for a Story.
The Sint Maarten Library encourages both patrons and non-patrons to stay engaged for upcoming exciting projects. In addition invites the community to keep celebrating the transformative power of storytelling and imagination.
For more information on upcoming events and initiatives, please visit Sint Maarten Library or follow us on social media.


Tadzio Bervoets Emphasizes the Role of Financial Innovation in Advancing the Caribbean’s Blue Economy at Caribbean Green Growth and Innovation Conference 2025.

taziobervoets03022025Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago:---  At the Caribbean Green Infrastructure Conference (CGIC) 2025, Tadzio Bervoets, a leading Caribbean expert in marine conservation, conservation finance, and sustainable ocean economies, delivered a keynote presentation on the importance of innovative financial mechanisms in securing long-term environmental and economic resilience for the Caribbean.

Bervoets, who has spent almost two decades at the intersection of marine conservation, policy development, and financial sustainability, currently serves as the Project Lead for the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund’s (CBF) BluEFin Project. His work focuses on designing and implementing nature-based financial solutions, including blue bonds, debt conversion strategies, and blue carbon markets, to provide sustainable funding for marine and coastal protection.
Addressing an audience that included Ministers and Parliamentarians from Trinidad and Tobago and CARICOM nations, as well as experts in infrastructure development and environmental finance, Bervoets underscored the urgent need for Caribbean governments to fully understand and strategically implement financial instruments that support sustainable economic growth while preserving critical ecosystems.

"The Caribbean must take ownership of its financial future by leveraging the mechanisms available to us," Bervoets stated. "Blue finance tools such as debt conversions and blue bonds are not just theoretical concepts—they are practical solutions that have already been successfully implemented in other regions. If properly structured, they can provide the long-term capital needed to invest in marine conservation, climate adaptation, and resilient infrastructure without increasing financial burdens on our economies.”

During his presentation, Bervoets detailed how public-private partnerships, structured investment mechanisms, and integrated financial policies can create a more stable and self-sufficient blue economy in the region. He highlighted successful models where sustainable debt restructuring has been used to fund conservation efforts while reducing national debt burdens, noting that such approaches could be adapted to the unique economic and ecological realities of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

His participation at CGIC 2025 further reinforced the growing recognition that financial innovation must be at the core of Caribbean climate adaptation strategies. As extreme weather events, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss continue to threaten regional economies, Bervoets emphasized that aligning conservation priorities with economic planning is no longer optional—it is imperative for survival.
Throughout the conference, he engaged with regional financial institutions, policymakers, and conservation leaders to discuss opportunities for scaling up sustainable finance initiatives, particularly through collaborative governance frameworks and capacity-building programs. These discussions underscored the critical role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in ensuring that Caribbean nations do not just access financial mechanisms, but also shape them to serve their long-term interests.

The CBF BluEFin Project, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters Focal Area, is a regional initiative dedicated to expanding nature-based financial solutions for marine conservation. The project is developing innovative financing mechanisms that mobilize investment into sustainable blue economy sectors while strengthening local and regional financial management capabilities.

Risks to detention process and the safety of staff and foreigners.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The treatment of detained foreigners during detention in Sint Maarten can generally be described as humane. This is the conclusion of the Law Enforcement Council (the Council) following an inspection carried out on this in 2024, as well as on the quality of the related task performance of the judicial organizations involved. The Council also looked at the extent to which the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Human or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on this subject were followed.

Treatment detained foreigners
The Council notes that the humane treatment is largely due to the personal efforts of the staff working at the foreigner detention center. The dedication and drive of the staff ensure that there is a humane situation for detained foreigners despite serious staff, financial, and material capacity shortages. Nevertheless, the Council believes these capacity shortages pose unacceptable risks to the integrity of the detention process and the safety of staff and detained foreigners.
Strategic steering
Based on the inspection, the Council has concluded that the steering at a strategic level by the Ministry of Justice on the CPT's recommendations has been insufficient. The inspection concludes that of the nine recommendations of the CPT, six were (partially) followed, and three were not followed.


Recommendations Council
In the report, the Council makes 14 recommendations focusing on further improving services to foreigners and better working conditions for staff. The Council therefore urgently requests the attention of all those responsible for this so that the safety of staff and detained foreigners remains guaranteed.
The full inspection report and all other Council publications are available digitally on the website: www.raadrechtshandhaving.com.  

INNOVATE 2025: AI & Automation for Entrepreneurial Growth.

~Islandpreneur Hosts Masterclass to Equip MSMEs with Digital Tools for Success~

islandpreneur02022025PHILIPSBURG:---  On February 9, 2025, Islandpreneur hosts its first masterclass of the year focused on equipping Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) with digital tools to accelerate growth. This exclusive in-person masterclass, INNOVATE 2025, is designed to help small business owners scale their operations and revenue using cutting-edge tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and Google’s Messy Middle framework, a new research-based way of marketing and engaging with customers.

This event will take place in the Board Room at Holland House Hotel in Philipsburg from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, providing hands-on learning and real-world applications. This 3-hour interactive session will guide business owners through the Transition Model, helping them identify their current business stage—whether in Survival, Stability, Scalability, or Sustainability—and craft a roadmap for success in 2025.

This masterclass is carefully curated to ensure that business owners have practical strategies to navigate today’s fast-changing landscape, combining AI, automation, and consumer psychology to ensure they stay ahead.

Some of the key takeaways include 1) understanding and implementing AI and automation for business efficiency, 2) mastering the messy middle – a game-changing approach to consumer decision-making, and 3) building a strategic 90-day action plan for sustainable business growth. Attendees will get an assessment to identify where they are in their business growth journey and will leave with a comprehensive workbook, actionable insights, and access to valuable business tools.

Facilitated by Ife Badejo, internationally recognized Founder & CEO of Islandpreneur International, this masterclass is only available for 12 entrepreneurs and includes light refreshments. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or WhatsApp +1-721-520-0033. To register, visit: www.islandpreneur.co.

Guyanese Association to hold wake for young men, on Wednesday.

The St Maarten Guyanese Association wishes to extend deepest condolences to the immediate and extended families of the late Ms. CHRISTINE SCOTLAND, MR. DENZEL SKEET and Mr. GANESHWAR GOBIN, aka ALE,X, who passed away during the last week of January 2025; it is with sadness we mourn their passing has all gone way too soon in the prime of their lives; therefor,e in our collective support for the bereaved family the Guyanese Community have decided on hosting a joint wake on Wednesday 5th February 2025 at the John Larmony Center from 7 pm to 11 pm, However in respect for the wishes of the SCOTLAND family they choose to morn privately and may not participate in the joint venture nevertheless the Organizers have decided to proceed with the venture in support of the two gentlemen.
• Mr. Ganeshwar Gobin sun rise 21st July 1989, Sun Set 31st January 2025.
• Mr. Denzel Skeet, Sun Rise 4th February 1997 Sun Set 26th January 2025.

 In light of the general public support, we respectfully accept any food and beverages anyone wishes to contribute as we celebrate the lives of those precious souls gone too soon


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