The Mega D Youth Foundation, St. Eustatius Department of Culture and St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation have initiated a cultural exchange project between St. Eustatius and Aruba, with music and media as the main focus. The cultural exchange project emphasizes the cultures of the Culture islands through the love for music of two young girls; Mia Jenna Courtar of St. Eustatius and Sue-Cayli Roosberg “Princess Galloway” from Aruba. These youth ambassadors have joined forces to create a musical documentary video that will symbolize the unity of Aruba and St. Eustatius.
The inter-island exchange project was launched on Thursday October 17th, 2019. Ten year old Mia Jenna, accompanied by her Manager and Director of the Mega D Youth Foundation, Dion ‘Mega D’ Humphreys and chaperone Founder of CHRWN Entertainment & Talent Agency, Sherees Timber, to Aruba to experience and document a cultural tour of Aruba. This musical documentary will portray the exchange of cultures of the two islands by first following the daily life of Miss Galloway.
The first part of the exchange will showcase Mia visiting Princess Galloway at school. Here the two girls will debut their collaborated song “Island to island: Oranjestad” during the school’s morning assembly. Afterwards Mia Jenna is given the opportunity to see Aruba and its culture through the eyes of her counterpart. The tour, the exchange and other touristic activities will be documented in the film. Mia Jenna will be guest on various radio shows, where she will tell about herself and her island. She will also share about who she is as a student and an aspiring artist. Other activities include a cultural talent show on Saturday October 19th hosted by the Cultural Department of Aruba. Mia Jenna and Princess Galloway will be featured artists.
During the 2019 Statia Carnival Princess Galloway participated in the Battle of the Future 2019 International Junior Soca Competition, where she represented Aruba and placed 1st runner-up. Because Princess Galloway is of Statian decent, the idea to create this marvelous exchange project came into existence. The father of Princess Galloway Carl ‘Galloway Jr.’ Roosberg is a well-known entertainer and musical artist.
He is the lead singer of the popular ‘Tsunami’ band in Aruba. Galloway Jr. was recently nominated for awards in three categories at the International Soca Awards held in Miami.
The “Island to Island; Oranjestad” project will be finalized during the ‘Statia Day’ Week of Activities (November 8th -16th ) when Princess Galloway will visit St. Eustatius for filming of the second half of the exchange project. “The focus is on both islands and their culture therefore, Princess Galloway will also be participating in cultural exchange activities on Statia, culminating in a showcase performance. Both girls are extremely excited to share this new experience and to present the final product to their communities, “says Dion Humphreys, Director of the Mega D Youth Foundation. The official launching of the music visual will be announced at a later date.
Bonaire Youth Outreach Foundation (BYOF), an organization that caters all aspects of the preforming ARTS and Media to the youth of Bonaire, is a collaborating partner in the project; its film crew and production are accompanying the trip to Aruba.