Dear Editor,
In 2016, my family faced one of the toughest challenges of our lives when one of us was diagnosed with cancer. After a long and difficult battle, recovery came, and with it, the hope of moving forward. But just as we began to rebuild our lives, Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, changing everything once again.
Our home on French St. Martin was destroyed. We lost nearly everything – over 70% of our belongings gone in a single night. With nowhere else to turn, my wife, our two daughters, and I relocated to Dutch St. Maarten, where we spent the next three years slowly rebuilding from scratch. Like so many other families on the island, we were left with nothing but each other and the determination to start over.
During that time, gathered around the kitchen table, we realized that rebuilding couldn’t just be about fixing what was lost. We needed to build something better – something that would help protect the island and its people from the growing risks of climate change, waste, and future storms. That’s when my family and I created Green Dream Projects.
In 2018, Green Dream Projects made its first appearance at the MAC Comprehensive Secondary Education (MAC-CSE) on World Environmental Day June 2018. There, students presented innovative ideas focused on sustainability, recycling, and protecting the environment. The energy and creativity they brought to the table confirmed that change begins with the next generation.
With the strong support of the MAC school community and the leadership of Ms. Rose Hughes-Coram, Green Dream Projects continued to grow. Later that same year, we expanded our work across the border through the Eco-Friendly Upcycling Festival on French St. Martin, building partnerships and encouraging cross-border cooperation in sustainability. During this time, my family and I had the honor of meeting with the Sous-Préfet of France, who recognized our efforts and encouraged the ongoing development of our work.
Just as we began to find momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020. The shutdowns and restrictions created new difficulties for the island, but even in those uncertain times, Green Dream Projects stayed active, finding ways to support schools, families, and community initiatives focused on sustainability.
Today, as President of Green Dream Projects, I continue to work alongside my family to keep our mission moving forward. We are committed to creating a cleaner, stronger, and more resilient island by focusing on education, waste reduction, upcycling, and youth engagement across both Dutch and French St. Maarten.
Our story is one of survival – through cancer, a catastrophic hurricane, and a global pandemic. But through those hardships, Green Dream Projects was born, turning personal struggles into a community-wide vision for a better future.
What began around our kitchen table has become an island movement focused on lasting change. And we know this is only the beginning.
Claude Javois
President Green Dream Projects
