With SXM DOET – part of the largest volunteer event in the Dutch Kingdom – underway, The Weekender and the DOET team are collaborating to highlight the charitable and community-boosting act of volunteering. First up, we’re getting to know about two seasoned volunteers, in two completely different walks of life: Ishka Boyd (a Human Resources and Compliance Director) and Veronica Destin (a St. Dominic High School student) both share a passion for volunteering.
Below, they tell us about their general experiences; check out their areas of contrast and commonality and get curious about volunteering.
Interested in joining DOET as a volunteer? SXM DOET will take place on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17. This will be its 11th year running, brought to you by Be The Change Foundation and Oranje Fonds. Browse projects and register at www.sxmdoet.com.
The DOET organising committee: “With the momentum coming off from the Carnival Season, we're setting up to transition from ‘Parading to Progress for a Brighter St. Maarten’ as we are looking forward to an edition with lots of energized, exciting and fun-filled activities.”
ISHKA BOYD
How did you first get started with volunteering in general, and with volunteering under SXM DOET in particular?
Volunteering was something I grew up around; it was just a normal part of life. I started with SXM DOET, because I saw the impact they were making and wanted to be part of that positive change.
What project will you be doing this year?
This year, I’m supporting the Alexander's Foundation. It’s the afternoon-school my daughter attends.
What types of projects do you gravitate toward, and why?
I usually choose projects connected to my daughter’s school or places she's familiar with, so she can be involved too. Prior to having her, I’ve always chosen projects that involve kids – they’re the heart of the community, and it’s always felt natural to support spaces that uplift them.
What is your motivation behind volunteering, and what have you gained from it yourself?
I do it because it feels right and it’s something I was raised doing. Volunteering keeps me grounded. Along the way, I’ve gained useful skills, good connections, and a stronger sense of community.
If you were asked to organise your own project, and funding and manpower would be provided, what would it be?
I’d create a mentorship and resource day for teens – something where they could meet professionals from different backgrounds, ask questions, and leave with tools or contacts to help them move forward.
VERONICA DESTIN
How did you first get started with volunteering in general, and with volunteering under SXM DOET in particular?
I started volunteering because some friends invited me to join them. It felt really good to give back to our community, so we kept doing it. Eventually, through conversations at school, I learned about SXM DOET and began volunteering with them as well.
What project will you be doing this year?
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to participate this year, as the SXM DOET weekend falls during my final high school exams.
What types of projects do you gravitate toward, and why?
As a CSEC art student, I naturally gravitate towards painting. I especially enjoy working on murals that help brighten up our community.
What is your motivation behind volunteering, and what have you gained from it yourself?
Volunteering has shaped me in so many ways. I’ve always gone into projects with a few friends and ended up leaving with even more. The projects I’ve done with SXM DOET have helped me improve my skills as an artist and build meaningful connections within my community.
If you were asked to organise your own project, and funding and manpower would be provided, what would it be?
If I had the chance to organize my own project, I would plan an island wide cleanup. I would set up different stations all around the island and assign teams to focus on beaches, roadsides, and public spaces. With our combined efforts, we could collect and properly dispose of as much waste as possible in just one day. I would also partner with local businesses and schools to provide supplies like gloves, garbage bags and water for volunteers.
Another important goal would be to educate people on the importance of keeping our environment clean by hosting short talks during the event. It genuinely makes me sad when I look out the window while driving and instead of enjoying our beautiful landscapes, all I see is garbage along the roadside. It’s not just in one district either. It’s everywhere from Simpson Bay to Oyster Pond. I would also install more anti-littering signs in heavily polluted areas to help encourage lasting change.
