GREAT BAY--Journalist, radio host and former educator Wendell Moore is partnering with the CLIMB Foundation to give away books by local authors every week on his radio program, “View Point with Wendell Moore,” as part of a wider effort to encourage reading and strengthen literacy across St. Maarten.
Through the end of September 2026, listeners will have opportunities each week to win books written by local authors by calling into Moore’s program and answering questions posed by Moore or featured authors. The initiative brings local literature directly into the hands of community members while using radio to encourage reading, learning and greater awareness of St. Martin writers.
The collaboration supports the National Literacy Movement, “Drop Everything and Read SXM,” which is being advanced by the CLIMB Foundation as part of its Advancing the Community Together, ACT, mission. The movement focuses on strengthening both cultural and functional literacy and promoting reading as a tool for knowledge and empowerment.
Moore, who has consistently promoted literacy and the importance of acquiring knowledge through reading on “View Point with Wendell Moore,” will use the weekly book giveaways to keep the literacy campaign active beyond individual events and encourage continued community participation.
The initiative is being supported through collaboration among the CLIMB Foundation, local authors and House of Nehesi Publishers, creating another avenue through which the public can discover and engage with books produced in St. Martin.
The National Literacy Movement was officially launched on July 8 following collaboration between the CLIMB Foundation, the St. Martin Book Fair and House of Nehesi Publishers. The St. Martin Book Fair held its 23rd annual edition from June 5 to 6, 2026. During the literacy launch, residents were encouraged to pause their normal activities and spend time reading works by local authors. Some participants organized book parties and shared photographs and videos of their reading activities online.
The movement continued with activities surrounding Caribbean Literacy Day on July 12. Caribbean Literacy Day was established by House of Nehesi Publishers in 2020, and organizations in St. Martin and elsewhere in the Caribbean marked the occasion with book parties and other reading activities.
Attention will next turn to schools on September 8, when they are expected to participate in the Drop Everything and Read St. Martin event in recognition of International Literacy Day.
Through Moore’s weekly radio giveaways, organizers hope to maintain momentum around the national literacy effort and reinforce the idea that developing a stronger reading culture requires participation from schools, families, community organizations, local media, authors and the wider public.
Listeners can tune in to “View Point with Wendell Moore” on PJD2 for opportunities to participate and win books by local authors each week through the end of September 2026.
