PHILIPSBURG – In a true community-driven inititaive, the Office of the Dutch Representative in Philipsburg (VNP), St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) and Windward Islands Bank (WIB) recently joined forces to replace the damaged roof of New Start for Children foster home. The foster home, which currently cares for 23 children, lost its roof due to the passing of huricane Irma, leaving the building and its residents protected only by taurpaulin and a few sheets of plywood. In the days immediately after hurricane Irma, SMDF came to the foster home’s aid by replacing ANG 2,400 worth of mattresses that were destroyed due to water damage. 

The foster home, which is run by seniors Sally and Edward Benjamin, was without insurance at the time of the hurricane’s passing and the outlook for repairs was bleak. Knowing the importance of the home as an institution that both cares for children and executes an important task within St. Maarten’s justice system, SMDF reached out to Dutch Representative Chris Johnson and WIB Managing Director Derek Downes to enter into a cost sharing arrangement to provide the home with a new roof. “While we are able to see the completed work today, this project began in December of last year when SMDF first approached the Office of the Dutch Representative to assist financially in replacing the roof,” remembered Franca. “Unfortunately between the time when SMDF and the Office of the Dutch Representative first discussed this project to when we were able to invite contractors to bid in January, contractors became difficult to retain and construction costs significantly increased so we turned to our partner WIB for the additional funding,” he continued.

With the VNP and WIB both on board, SMDF organized bidding procedures on behalf of the home in February. After reviewing three bids to replace the 2,590 square foot roof, the winning contractor was Elite Development. With the home perched high on a hillside, the construction works were quite an undertaking, however the contractor managed the job well. Working on weekends and even during holidays, the contractor completed the works in two months and 3 weeks, handing over a newly constructred roof to the Benjamins.

While viewing the completed roof and touring the foster home, Dutch Representative Chris Johnson and WIB Managing Director Derek Downes both thanked the Benjamins for their commitment to the children of St. Maarten. “It is an absolute pleasure to be able to assist this institution and we hope to be able to assist in other ways in the future,” said Johnson. Continuing the same sentiment, Downes thanked the Benjamins for their quiet but invaluable contribution to St. Maarten. “We all owe you a great deal as you are truly going above and beyond for those in need,” he said.

“SMDF and the Benjamins are very grateful to the Office of the Dutch Representative and Windward Islands Bank as this would not have been possible without their commitment,” said Franca. With a total budget of some ANG 82,000 the costs were shared with the Dutch Representaive covering 55% of the costs, SMDF sharing 25% of costs and Windward Islands Bank adopting 20% to complete the project. 

In photo: Edward Benjamin of New Start for Children Foundation explains how construction was executed, with the 23 children in the home, to SMDF Program and Development Manager Makhicia Brooks, Windward Island Bank Managing Director Derek Downes, Dutch Representative in Philipsburg Chris Johnson and SMDF Managing Director Keith Franca. (photo by Loic Bryan)