The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams attended the official opening of the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation Secretariat Office in Cole Bay on Thursday evening.
The Prime Minister, during her official statements as part of the opening, stated that the establishment of an AIDS Secretariat is an exciting and promising step in combatting the disease within the community: "This afternoon I am excited for the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation because having their own secretariat, or home if you will, has been a significant goal for some years now. Indeed we have been through some frustrating times when the Foundation faced significant difficulties in acquiring a location from which to work out of instead of from the offices of the respective board members. But today I share with you in this excitement because now this Secretariat is now a reality."
"There is also a selfish reason for me in sharing this excitement; this has to do with the fact that having the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation as a very strong partner with Government in its program in combating HIV/ AIDS, I know that with this achievement this collaboration will undoubtedly strengthen," continued the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that over the years so many persons have volunteered to be a part of the movement against HIV/ AIDS and it is because of their passion that the community of St. Maarten has responded positively in combatting the epidemic. "Having travelled to various international conferences, especially over the last two years, we constantly are asked how do we apply the limited resources and where does Government play a role, but I believe that because of the dedication and commitment of the St. Maarten Aids Foundation the awareness of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic will continue to be strengthened in the community. We cannot rest on our laurels; we have to continue the fight within all sectors of the community because that is the reach and the width of this disease.
The Prime Minister also thanked the Bank of Nova Scotia and St. Maarten Manager Mr. Elie Bendaly in making this project a reality, "Mr. Bendaly has continuously supported the vision of creating awareness of the HIV/ AIDS problematic in the country and now, with the opening of this Secretariat, many people will be expecting significant assistance, but I am sure that the St. Maarten Aids Foundation and Dr. Van Osch and his team are up to the challenge. So let us all work together and continue to build this organization, just as we build Country St. Maarten, step by step and block by block," concluded the Prime Minister.