Spreads Holiday Cheer at Home Away From Home Christmas Dinner
From the Cabinet of the Prime Minister- During her attendance at the Home Away From Home Foundation Christmas Dinner on Wednesday evening the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams confirmed that the old age pension would be increased as of January 2013. "I can confirm to you that we have succeeded in increasing the Old Age Pension in order to alleviate the burden on the elderly," commented the Prime Minister. The PM had pledged during the International Day of the Elderly that she would pursue the increase of the pension amount to alleviate the burden of the elderly.
The PM, who attended the event despite being ill with the flu, continued by expressing her gratitude at being at the dinner; "It is good to be here with you; if my voice sounds strange it is because the flu is trying to get me down but I wanted to be here to celebrate with you the many blessings we all have received as St. Maarten. I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate the home away from home Foundation and in particular Ms. Patricia Flanders for her tireless dedication to offering you so many different possibilities on activities which would allow you to be with one another. "
PM Wescot-Williams also informed those present at the dinner that, through the help of the Business community, her Government was able to treat the island’s elderly for the Holiday Season; "Because of the special place that you have in my heart and in the heart of the Government of St. Maarten I am Happy to say that we will be offering some of you free subscription to cable as well as some Christmas vouchers during this time of year. You have contributed so much to the development of St. Maarten, and we want to show our appreciation to what you have meant to this country," concluded the Prime Minister.