SXM DOET has been in full swing since its launch in November 2014. SXM DOET is the Sint Maarten edition of the largest volunteer initiative in the Dutch Kingdom, with previously having over 400.000 volunteers participating and over 8.500 projects being achieved Kingdom-wide. This will be the first year that Sint Maarten and Statia will be added onto the list of participating islands within the Kingdom. Locally, SXM DOET is proudly being hosted by the Be The Change Foundation in cooperation with the Oranje Fonds in the Netherlands.
SXM DOET takes place on Friday March 20th and Saturday March 21st, whereby volunteers such as private persons, local businesses and corporations, government officials and their respective departments, as well as church groups, sports clubs, social groups and local celebrities will all have the opportunity to contribute to society in any way they can. These two days are especially dedicated to helping NGOs, schools, health organizations and other community organizations finish odd jobs or start up projects that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to get done on their own, albeit due to lack of funding or manpower. The Oranje Fonds has provided the opportunity, through the Be The Change Foundation, to support each project financially as well as giving them a platform to recruit volunteers and create awareness for their cause. To date 44 projects have been registered and a total of more than 550 volunteers are still needed.
The types of projects that are available for volunteering for are: beautification of schools, as well as that of activity and community centers, playgrounds and the library, beach clean-ups, tree planting and gardening, fun days out with special needs groups and the provision of entertainment and games, make-overs and obstacle courses, fixing of sporting facilities, building greenhouses and doghouses, and helping out with food drives and health fair activities.
The opportunities are therefore endless, and anyone with any skill or will can volunteer. The projects are open for registration until March 14th, and registration can be done via the WWW.SXMDOET.COM website.