PHILIPSBURG--Voice of The Youth St. Maarten Foundation was founded on May 17, 2013, by Zulayka Peterson, who came with the initiative to establish the project St. Maarten Youth Brigade, due to a lack of educational and social activities to stimulate effective communication among and with youngsters and a strong desire to instil positive self-images within youth on island.
These were the key motivational factors to establish the foundation which will host a special ceremony on Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg today, Friday.
The vision of the organisation is to contribute to the empowerment of and create awareness within the youth of St. Maarten by providing education on their basic rights and a sense of duty, to create respectful, responsible and reliable citizens who participate actively in the edification of their country.
The Foundation stated in a press release on Thursday that its mission is to assist in the development of youngsters in the social, economic, cultural and governmental areas by offering integral educational programmes meant to create and strengthen a sense of duty and their awareness of these basic rights.
The Foundation said, “We must say that the road was not always smooth, as with any new organisation we experience many growing pains. But our loyal and committed funding agencies, St. Maarten Development Fund and Dutch Collaborating Funds Caribbean, showed us confidence and supported us in our project from day one.
“We are grateful and thankful to these agencies for placing their trust in us and believing in our programme. We salute and thank everyone who has been part of this organisation; our staff, coaches, mentors, parents, volunteers, our stakeholders and other NGOs [non-governmental organisations – Ed.] who continue to encourage our young members to strive for excellence.
“We thank Bos di Hubentud, our sister organisation in Curaçao, which has been our inspiration in this endeavour and with which we have a very close working relationship.”
The ceremony begins at 4:30pm and all are invited to show support to the youngsters while they parade from the old Government Administration Building to Captain Hodge Wharf, where they will be received and addressed by invited dignitaries and guests.
