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~ Much emphasis on children ~

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) provided grants to 22 non-governmental organisations in 2014 and twelve in the previous year. Beneficiaries of those grants total more than 2,168 as well as 180 full and part-time employees of the organisations that provide youth care, social and community activities.

As of December 31, 2014, SMDF, headed by Keith Franca, started to evaluate 20 funding requests, of which 14 were clients in 2013/2014 and six are new clients.

Belvedere Community Foundation was a recipient of a grant from SMDF for its after-school activities that cater to some 170 children of Belvedere, Dutch Quarter and Middle Region.

No Kidding with our Kids Foundation, operating in Sucker Garden and Retreat Estate and caters to 130 children, Alpha and Omega Projects Foundation on Long Wall Road with 40 children, and the SECEO after-school programme, catering to Regina Primary School with some 90 children, also received grants to continue their programmes.

More than 458 children, ages 4-15 are enrolled with these long established after-school programmes.

The four after-school activities foundations were funding recipients from July 2013 to present.

SMDF was established in May 2012 by government with the objective to mediate in the development and financing of projects that will contribute to the social and community development of St. Maarten.

SMDF established a policy document titled "Contributing towards a Society that Cares 2013 to 2023," to guide its activities.

Youth

SMDF provided grants to Voice of the Youth St. Maarten for the establishment of the Youth Brigade. A graduation ceremony for the first 19 cadets, after just eight months of operation, was held in in February.

St. Peters Community Council was recipient of funds for the execution of a summer camp for some 135 children of Reward, St. Peters and Retreat.

Art Saves Lives Foundation received SMDF funding for its project to expose some 100 plus aspiring young persons to the basics of artistic, cultural and dance expressions.

These eleven organisations rendering services in youth development received grants totalling NAf 1.8 Million guilders in 2014 and NAf 739,000 in 2013.

Elderly

Helping Hands Foundation and Home away from Home Foundation received grants to help them continue to provide transportation, recreation and home-care for the elderly.

The Senior Citizens Recreational Foundation in HOPE Estate joined the list of organisations receiving grants and support from SMDF in December 2014.

Grants to these foundations totalled NAf 132,500 in 2013 and NAf 398,200 in 2014.

Some 325 seniors benefitted from the services provided by Helping Hands, Home Away from Home and the Senior Citizens Recreational Foundation.

Vulnerable groups

UJIMA Foundation received financial support from SMDF from June 2013 to present for the operation of its care facilities.

I Can Foundation received grants to assist in the operation of its foster home.

Hope Outreach and New Start for Children foster homes received grants in December 2014.

I too Can Learn Foundation, specialising in children requiring special education, and the COME Center's literacy project received grants for the continuation of their programmes until the end of 2014.

Key to Freedom Foundation received a grant in May 2014 to assist in its outreach programme. The foundation was a recipient of an additional grant to sustain its operation in December 2014.

From July 2013 to the end of 2014, these seven foundations providing social care to vulnerable groups received funding amounting to NAf 726,077, of which NAf 620,077 was granted in 2014.

Food programmes

SMDF has also provided funding for several ongoing food programmes. Receiving money were Meals on Wheels Foundation, Maximizing Pupils Chances Foundation and Bishop Ellis Foundation for the Poor and Needy.

In 2013 and 2014, the funding for these organisations amounted to NAf 233,725.

These much needed programmes benefit in excess of 285 persons on St. Maarten.

Social care

Safe Have Foundation was a recipient of SMDF funding for its shelter catering to battered women.

St. Maarten AIDS Foundation has received funds for its Girl Power and Real Talk programmes that target high school students. The SMDF funds have secured the continuation of these two programmes for 2015.

How to apply

St. Maarten-based foundations with ongoing or planned programmes to benefit the youth, social care and empowerment of vulnerable groups, poverty alleviation, district improvement, gender support and education can apply for funding from SMDF.

The SMDF office is on the ground floor of Yogesh Commercial Complex on A.J.C. Brouwers Road. Office hours are Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

For more information, call 543-7711 or e-mail

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