Dear Editor,
Marva was born in Aruba to a diverse family with roots throughout the Dutch Caribbean, including Sint Maarten. At age 7, her family chose to relocate to Sint Maarten, Upper Princess Quarter, and ever since she has made Sint Maarten her home.
Marva has been an educator for over 36 years, and as such has experienced a very broad spectrum of the educational system in Sint Maarten. She started her career in education as a kindergarten teacher, and has had the opportunity to continue to develop herself throughout the years; being able to fulfil various functions from teaching children of all ages at the pre-elementary and elementary levels to adults at university level. She also provided instructional coaching and mentoring to fellow educators and functioned in various managerial positions such as school principal, coordinator of a college preparatory programme at USM, and as an administrator at the university level with UVI.
In Marva’s own words: “My journey began with a kindergarten teacher's diploma and has led to a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. This was not just a journey of hard work and dedication; it was also one of passion”. Along the way Marva also learned several valuable lessons; one of which is selflessness.
It was through the dedication of love, time, energy and passion that I discovered and pursued my purpose. A purpose that, on a professional level saw my function as an educator, but on a personal level as a servant.
Marva has also founded two children’s homes, namely Oasis of Love in Sint Maarten and Oasis of Hope in Suriname. In 2002, she joined her husband, Apostle Leyland Sam, in establishing Thy Kingdom Come Ministries International (TKCMI). In 2006, they also established the Believers’ Connection Convention: a place where believers in Christ could gather and unite so that we can be more effective in benefitting our society in its entirety.
To be able to cater to the social and spiritual needs of the wider community as a whole, Marva and her husband established the Community Outreach Mentorship and Empowerment Centre, known as the COME Centre. According to Marva, “our goal has always been to provide a community and a sense of belonging for anyone who may need it. Through this extension of the ministry, we were able to erect platforms to serve the community in various capacities such as feeding programs, technical skill programs like sewing, literacy programs aimed to educate functionally illiterate, English and non-English-speaking adults, elderly support initiatives and other outreach activities”.
SMCP is definitely proud to present Marva as the #8 Candidate. Her whole life can be characterized as serving the people of Sint Maarten in her various spheres of work, whether it is with children, adolescents or with our senior citizens. “Serving others has been my life’s work, so I know that we must serve if we want to change”. SMCP is asking you to give Marva Sam-Arrindell the opportunity to serve her country Sint Maarten.
Wycliffe Smith
Leader of the St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP)
