GREAT BAY--A little girl from Ruby Labega Primary once sat in those classrooms dreaming about the world beyond her neighborhood; this week she walked back through the same doors as a Central Bank professional and the main character in a new children’s book that tells her story, reminding St. Maarten’s children that someone who looks like them, comes from their school, and walks their streets can grow up to help guide the country’s financial future.
Local author and publisher Tamara Leonard, founder of TamLeo Books, has released her latest children’s title, Endy’s Central Bank Mission, a story that turns the real life journey of a young St. Maarten woman into an inspirational lesson in financial literacy and civic pride.
The book was launched at Ruby Labega Primary School, the very school once attended by Endene “Endy” Edouard D’Haiti, who now serves with the Institutional Investors Supervision team at the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS). Endy was invited to the school under the impression that she was attending a regular activity. Instead, she was surprised with the unveiling of a children’s book based on her story, returning to her alma mater as the main character of a new financial literacy adventure.
Leonard explained that the idea for the book took shape earlier this year when CBCS and TamLeo Books donated 100 value driven, culturally grounded books to students at Ruby Labega. During that visit she learned about Endy’s path, from Ruby Labega to St. Maarten Academy, on to the University of St. Martin, then to Johnson & Wales University where she completed her degrees before building a professional career that eventually led to the Central Bank.
“Seeing a former Ruby Labega student come back to the school as a representative of the Central Bank really moved me,” Leonard said. “I wanted the children to see that from within their own classrooms can come people who shape the future of our country.”
Endy’s Central Bank Mission follows a curious girl who notices the big grey building of the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten and cannot stop wondering what happens inside. Her questions take her from the classroom to the halls of the CBCS, where she learns how the bank keeps money stable, supports both islands, and promotes a stronger future for all. Years later, Endy returns home to live the dream, inspiring children to ask questions, learn boldly, and believe that they too can shape tomorrow.
Written for readers ages 8 to 15, the book is designed to awaken curiosity, pride, and purpose at a time when glowing screens and fast entertainment often compete for children’s attention. The story offers families and schools a simple, engaging way to talk about the role of a central bank and the importance of financial responsibility.
The final story now serves both as a tribute to Endy’s hard work and as a practical tool for classrooms, after school programs, and family reading time, especially as St. Maarten closes out Financial Literacy Month. “To God be the glory. My goal is always to help children make confident, responsible choices,” Leonard said. “Through real stories of perseverance and service, I want them to see that education, good decisions, and faith can take them anywhere.”
Endy’s Central Bank Mission adds to TamLeo Books’ growing catalogue of Caribbean centered financial literacy stories. On Wednesday, October 15, Leonard had announced two earlier titles under the TamLeo brand: The Money Masters, inspired by local financial experts Ahmed Bell, Vasco Daal, and Quincy Lont, and Banking Adventures with Mr. T, inspired by banker Rolando Tobias. Those books highlight St. Maarten’s new generation of financial heroes and are available on Amazon.
With the release of Endy’s Central Bank Mission, Leonard continues her mission to “turn readers into leaders,” using familiar faces and local success stories to show children that big dreams can start with one simple question.
Main photo: 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘢𝘮𝘓𝘦𝘰 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 (𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵) 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘦 “𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘺” 𝘌𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘋’𝘏𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪.
https://tribune-site.webflow.io//articles/endys-central-bank-mission-tamleo-books-turns-ruby-labega-alum-into-local-financial-hero-for-kids
