SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – This week marks Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week which is from May 04 -10. The recurring theme is: Small Bite Big Threat! “Fight the Bite, Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites.”

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is committed to keeping the public informed and making frequent ‘calls to action’ to the community to take action and eliminate mosquito breeding sites by taking a weekly 10-minute walk around your home, yard and business establishment.

CPS is appealing once again to continue to take action after every rainfall event to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and in doing so protects our community from mosquito borne diseases. Community vigilance is key.

The objective of Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week is to strengthen existing initiatives and mobilize the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites from public and private places.

CPS supports the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) campaign this week and appeals to the community to always be alert to act right after a rainfall event to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Mosquitoes can breed in as little as half an inch of water. This is not a lot of water, and plant saucers are one of those unassuming places that can gather a small amount and still be a huge breeding site for your backyard mosquito.

Source reduction, search and destroy is the key to decreasing the mosquito population. Due to the tropical nature of our climate, breeding habitats are in abundance, and many of them are unfortunately man-made.

For issues surrounding mosquito breeding sites, contact CPS’ vector control team by calling 542-1222/1570 or 914. Ask to be contacted by the vector control team.

You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with supporting pictures and contact information to report a mosquito nuisance or request assistance.

Eradicating mosquito breeding sites should become a habitual lifestyle of each citizen, let us minimize the mosquito population at its source!

Protection tips for travelers and residents is to wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially at dusk and dawn.

Use Repellent: Apply insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535. Screening: Ensure windows and doors have mesh screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home/business.

SABA/SINT EUSTATIUS - Today, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment launched an internet consultation for the Childcare Decree BES. The Cabinet is thus arranging for the increase of the baby supplement for childcare organisations from 1 January 2027.

The amendment also aims to provide more clarity about the period of at most 15 days a year during which childcare organisations can close whilst maintaining financing. It is possible to react on the consultation up to and including Monday 1 June 2026. 

Increase of the baby supplement

Childcare organisations that care for babies, receive additional money from the government. This is called the 'baby supplement'. This money is for additional costs for babies up to the age of one year. For instance, for more staff, milk formula, and nappies.

Around the entry into force of the Childcare Act BES in 2026, signals were received that the baby supplement was too low. The new rules resulted in higher costs. Some care locations for babies were facing closure. There were already too few places for babies.

That is why the Cabinet decided to increase the baby supplement from 2027. This is included in the Spring Memorandum of 2026. It regards an increase of approximately 15% from 2027.

Clarity about continued payment when closing

Childcare organisations on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba are often small and have few staff. As a result, it is difficult to organise holidays, instruction, training, and maintenance without occasionally closing.

That is why it was decided that childcare organisations can close a maximum of fifteen (15) days a year whilst yet receiving money. Childcare organisations are already familiar with this working method, but this is now established more clearly.

The Decree specifies precisely to what organisations are entitled to payment and for how long.

There are some exceptions:

• A childcare centre does not receive money if the supervisory authority closes the childcare centre because the situation is dangerous or unhealthy to children.
• If a childcare centre needs to close due to force majeure, for instance in case of a hurricane or other natural disaster, then this is not deducted from the 15 days. In that case, an organisation receives money up to a maximum of six months.

React?

Anyone can react to the internet consultation from Monday 4 May up to and including Monday 1 June 2026 (17:59 local time) via: https://www.internetconsultatie.nl/besluitkinderopvangbes/b1.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Foresee (4C) Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its Helpdesk for the Legacy to Future Funds, created to support nonprofit organizations on St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius (SSS-Islands) as they develop project ideas and applications for funding.

The Legacy to Future Funds, coordinated by the Slavery Memorial Committee, supports initiatives in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom that contribute to awareness, recognition, healing, resilience and connection in relation to the history and legacy of slavery. Through this helpdesk, 4C Foundation will offer hands-on support to organizations that need guidance translating their ideas into clear, fundable and impactful projects.

“Through this partnership with the Slavery Memorial Committee, we are continuing our commitment to strengthening community organizations on the SSS islands, so that meaningful initiatives receive the support they need,” said Jose Sommers. “Our role is to walk alongside these organizations as they shape ideas that can make a real difference in their communities.”

The helpdesk will provide short advice sessions, both online and in person, as well as support in shaping project ideas, feedback on draft applications, individual guidance during project development, practical support related to implementation for approved initiatives and broader organizational support to help groups build stronger foundations for future work.

In addition to one-on-one support, the Helpdesk forms part of a broader effort to strengthen civil society organizations on Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten by making the Legacy to Future Funds more accessible and easier to navigate. Beyond individual guidance, 4C Foundation will host a series of information sessions and practical workshops beginning in May to help organizations shape project ideas, clarify objectives, plan activities and prepare budgets in line with the fund requirements.

The first online information session for organizations across the SSS islands will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Registration is now open via https://bit.ly/2026NPOwerAcademy. The online meeting link will be shared after registration.

On St. Maarten, a general in-person information session will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and a grant writing workshop for Legacy to Future Funds Categories 3 and 4 on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

On Saba, the general in-person information session including grant writing will be held at the Saba Heritage Center on Friday, May 8th, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and one-on-one coaching support is available on Saturday May 9th, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

The dates for the general info in-person sessions with grant writing and one-on-one coaching support on St. Eustatius will be shared with the general public within the next few days.

Nonprofit organizations on all three islands can already reach out to 4C Foundation through Ashma Berkel via WhatsApp at (721) 550-7427. Persons on St. Maarten are also welcome to visit the Helpdesk office at A. Th. Illidge Road #60 during the following walk-in office hours: Monday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

“Our nonprofits, especially on the SSS islands, continue to do deeply meaningful work with very limited resources, whether in funding, time or capacity,” added Ludmila Duncan. “We know there are many strong initiatives in our communities that simply need technical support and guidance. This helpdesk is meant to bridge that gap. At 4C, we want to make the process feel more accessible, more supportive and less intimidating.”

Foundations and community groups interested in applying are encouraged to reach out early, especially as the fund continues to open in phases by category. According to the official schedule, Categories 3 and 4 are open from April 1, 2026, to June 1, 2026, and these categories support larger initiatives within the scheme.

More information about the subsidy scheme, eligibility and application process is available on the official Legacy to Future Funds website; https://legacytofuturefunds.com/

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Behind every child in foster care is a story that did not start with choice, but can be changed through care, stability, and support. Every child deserves a safe place to call home. Every family that opens their door changes a life. Every community that chooses to show up makes that possible.

This May, the Judicial & Institutional Services Foundation (J&IS), through its Foster Families Central, invites Sint Maarten to stand together for the island’s most vulnerable children.

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Belair Community Center in Cay Hill, J&IS will officially open Foster Care Awareness Month under the theme “Foster the Future,” a theme that serves as a clear call for action and shared responsibility.

The evening is designed to go beyond a standard information session and instead create an experience that informs, engages, and encourages meaningful reflection on the realities faced by children in foster care.

The program will include a series of creative presentations featuring dance, drama, spoken word, and music, live cultural performances by the National Institute of Arts (NIA), Circus School, Mighty Dow Pan School, each offering insight into the experiences of children in foster care through artistic expression.

In addition, a mural created by foster youth will be presented. This mural was developed in collaboration with the Art Saves Lives Foundation and guided by teaching artist Zillah Duzon. It reflects the voices, experiences, and perspectives of the youth involved.

The event will also include a silent auction featuring the mural and additional artwork. All proceeds will be directed toward programs that directly support children within the foster care system. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with social workers, advocates, foster care representatives and workers, and professionals actively engaged in child protection efforts across the island.

Furthermore, the program will include personal testimonies that provide direct insight into real experiences within foster care. These accounts will offer a clear perspective on both the challenges and the impact of foster care, contributing to a deeper understanding among attendees.

Event tickets are available at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the J&IS Offices located at Yogesh Commercial Complex Unit 2F/G, AJC Browers Road 4, at Vam Dorp in Madame Estate across from the Sol Gas Station, and at Addicted Hair Lounge on Backstreet 180 across from the purple church. Admission includes snacks and drinks.

Foster Care Awareness Month serves as a focused period to increase attention on the needs of children requiring care and protection. Under the theme “Foster the Future,” the initiative emphasizes the importance of the well-being, safety, and development of every child who enters the foster care system. Throughout the month of May, J&IS will continue efforts aimed at increasing the number of foster families, strengthening support networks, raising public awareness, and promoting positive outcomes for children in care.

J&IS calls on individuals, families, and organizations to contribute to these efforts through foster care, mentorship, or volunteer support. Director of J&IS, Cynthia Clarke-Filemon, stated that sustainable child protection depends on active community involvement and that every individual has a role to play in supporting children who require stability, guidance, and care.

She further emphasized that these efforts are strengthened through ongoing collaboration and support from key partners, including the Ministry of Justice Sint Maarten, the Court of Guardianship Sint Maarten, the Court of First Instance Sint Maarten, and other stakeholders across public entities, private sector partners, and civil society, all of whom play an essential role in safeguarding the well-being of children on the island.

The May 5 opening event marks the start of a series of activities and outreach efforts scheduled throughout the month. The community is encouraged to attend, engage, and take part in supporting children in need.

J&IS extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff of the J&IS Family Guardianship Department and the Court of Guardianship, as well as to all foster care workers, foster parents, mentors, volunteers, and partners involved in the activities throughout Foster Care Awareness Month. Their continued commitment and contribution remain critical to advancing the protection, care, and development of children in Sint Maarten.

Together, the future of children in Sint Maarten can be strengthened through collective action, one child, one family, and one community at a time.

For more information, to purchase tickets or to support this initiative, contact J&IS Foster Families Central at +1 (721) 542-3449 or via WhatsApp at 585-0295 and 526-4330.