Minister presents ‘thank you’ gifts to Dutch Representative

Minister Wuite and Chris Johnson hold “thank you” card made by students.

From left: Acting Secretary General Shermina Powell-Richardson, Minister Wuite, Policy Advisor Suzan Afjes, Education Innovations Division head Oralie Boirard, Dutch Representative to St. Maarten Chris Johnson, Representation Office policy staff member Robert-Jan de Wilde.

 

PHILIPSBURG–As a follow-up to the digital letter of appreciation sent to Dutch Ministers Ingrid van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science and Arie Slob of Primary and Secondary Education and Media, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Jorien Wuite paid a visit to Dutch Representative of the Netherlands based in St. Maarten Chris Johnson on April 18.

She gave him the official original copy of the letter as well as an overview of all donations received from the Dutch Ministry after Hurricane Irma and a list of where those items were disseminated.

Wuite also gave Johnson a collection of “thank you” drawings made by pupils of various primary schools on the island, including an enormous “thank you” card made by Methodist Agogic Centre Browlia F. Maillard Campus pupils.

During the visit Minister Wuite and representatives of the Ministry’s management team had the opportunity to once again express gratitude for the aid provided by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

In the letter Minister Wuite wrote that the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria had left St. Maarten in a state of emergency.

“In September, we reached out to our international partners and stakeholders with our urgent request to assist us to rebuild and restructure our beloved island. We were able to rely on you, as one of our strong partners in education, through your immediate response to assist us. This display of partnership and support gave us strength in our venture to jump-start the successful re-opening of the schools in October, while furthering the damage assessments in the sectors of education, culture, youth and sport,” Wuite stated.

Items such as school furniture, various school materials, whiteboards and digital boards, laptops, printers and first aid kits were just some of the smaller items received in addition to three large pavilion tents complete with technical assistance on erecting them.

Ministry staff, in close consultation and dialogue with the school boards, ensured that all donations were itemised and delivered based on schools’ specific needs. As donations continue to be received the Ministry will continue to work diligently to make sure these items are properly catalogued and distributed. Wuite expressed her sincere appreciation for the hard-working staff members who spent hours on the project and commended their dedication.

She was also able to discuss with Johnson the progress made to date with repairs to school and sport facilities on the island and to share concerns on the extensive amount of work to be done before the peak of the next hurricane season.

Johnson thanked Wuite for her visit and reaffirmed the Dutch government’s support in the recovery of the island on the whole and in particular all schools, sports facilities and cultural monuments.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/76014-minister-presents-thank-you-gifts-to-dutch-representative

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