Dear Fellow St. Maarteners and Fellow St. Maarten Mothers
As Prime Minister of St. Maarten, and as a daughter, mother and grandmother, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all mothers and grandmothers of our wonderful nation a very happy and healthy Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is a day in our celebratory calendar where we take the time out to reflect on the central role that mothers play in the development of our children; the important role that all mothers have in contributing to our society as a nation.
Mothers are the ones who nurture and instill in us a sense of right from wrong, a sense of morality and ethics and who make us aware of our place as human beings in this journey which we call life. Mothers prepare us for what lies ahead and give us the advice necessary to meet the challenges that life sometimes gives head on. Mothers instill in us a love of God and a love of humanity which is crucial in meeting life’s challenges with bravery and confidence.
Considering this it must be very clear that all the mothers of our nation, regardless of social or economic background, are united by a common thread; you are all united by the fact that you are mothers, you are united by the sanctity of maternity. Mothers are the mainstay of our society, whether you form a unit with your husband or partner, or whether you are a single mother, the role that you play in shaping this nation through the nurturing of your family is one which is indispensible. You are shaping a new generation, or have shaped the current generation, into what it is now and what it means for us as a Nation. You have worked hard in order to provide for your children while still maintaining the grace that mothers have in instilling a sense of morality and belonging in your children.
Know then that you are a part of History, a history that is signified by that ancient name for St. Maarten Oualichi, Land of Strong Women. And I daresay, Land of Strong Mothers. You have defined and are defining a nation, and know that on a day like Mother’s Day the selfless sacrifices you have made for your children are being recognized and applauded.
It has always been my priority to strive hard to make the necessary changes with regards to the empowerment of mothers through providing the proper social services and support necessary. We are working on improving maternal health for example, and are striving hard to make St. Maarten a forerunner in providing quality maternal health care in the region.
Recently I witnessed the signing of a project to train selected members from a Core Group of the Network and Support Group for Women to become support group facilitators, to ultimately establish support groups for women in general and mothers more specifically, to tackle the various social issues that mothers and all women face. The objective of this group will be to train participants to set-up support groups, to guide participants in developing a provisional business plan, to establish support groups for women and mothers in particular, and to establish a network structure for women to support each other and network with relevant stakeholders
And so today we honor each and every Mother on this island. Women who raise children, sometimes by themselves, while still working and contributing to our society. Women who are the cornerstone of their homes, their families, their community and their country.
I encourage the community to recognize and to celebrate the mothers and grandmothers in our Country who have made our Sweet St. Maarten Land what it is. So Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and may God bless you and God Bless St. Maarten