St. Maarten – St. Martin News Update

Eight students from Sint Eustatius (Statia) departed the island on Saturday, August 1, 2026, to begin their studies in the Netherlands. The students had recently completed their secondary education on the island and will enroll in a range of programs across universities, colleges, and vocational institutions in the Netherlands. The annual departure of graduating students marks a significant milestone for the small Caribbean island, which has no higher education institutions of its own. Like many young people from the Dutch Caribbean, these students must travel abroad — typically to the Netherlands — to access tertiary education. The move represents both a personal achievement and a broader challenge for Statia, as the island regularly sees its youth leave following secondary school graduation.

Collective Prevention Services (CPS), in partnership with the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and the White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF), is hosting the 3rd Annual Mom's Health Fair on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The free public event will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is organized in connection with World Breastfeeding Week 2026. The fair brings together three major health institutions on the island to promote maternal and infant health awareness. World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually during the first week of August and aims to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies worldwide. The event represents a growing community health tradition on St.

Residents of Banjo Drive in Cay Bay, Sint Maarten are raising concerns about unreliable household garbage collection in their neighborhood. Collection trucks are reportedly showing up on their scheduled days — Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — but frequently skip individual bins along the street without explanation. Residents say the inconsistency has led to accumulating waste outside their homes, creating unsanitary conditions and frustration within the community. The problem appears to be ongoing rather than a one-time lapse, suggesting a systemic issue with how the route is being serviced. Reliable waste collection is a basic public health concern, and lapses can contribute to odor, pests, and environmental hazards, particularly in a warm climate. It is unclear whether residents have formally contacted the relevant waste management authority or whether any response has been issued. The complaint highlights broader questions about municipal service consistency on the island.