Philipsburg Jubilee Library
   home        Ch.E.W. Voges Street 12, Philipsburg, St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
                     tel. +599 542-2970 / fax +599 542-5805
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Cultural Awareness Program 2008: close-off


 
Philipsburg Jubilee Library and the Ark Foundation are proud and satisfied with the turnout  and performing of the poets.

On Thursday June 12, 2008, approximately 19 participants successfully completed a seven-week poetry workshop in the Ark Outreach center. This workshop was part of the Cultural Awareness Program the Ark organizes in collaboration with the Philipsburg Jubilee Library.

This program was funded by the SNAYDP under the theme ‘Know your history, create your future”. Indeed these youngsters showed with their poetry that there is a need for culture awareness . 

The participants attend Milton Peters College, St. Dominique High and the St. Maarten Academy. During the workshops the participants wrote 6 poems each about the following topics: culture, safe sex, sadness, issues young people are facing and happiness. They also had to criticize each other’s poems.

On Saturday morning June 14, 2008 10 participants gathered at the square in Front Street. At about 10.30 in the company of their instructor Mr. Romayne Benjamin, a teacher at MPC, headed up the boardwalk, down Front Street and up Back Street where participants approached pedestrians and entered many places of businesses asking for a few minutes to recite their poems.
This was well received by the businesses. They had only words of encouragement for the youngsters. The youngsters didn’t stop there they then headed to radio Soualiga and were given the opportunity to recite their poems live on air by Mr. Rolando Tobias.

Their final stop was the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, where it all began 8 weeks ago. At the library they were welcomed by the Assistant director, Mrs. Monique Alberts and the president of the Ark Foundation, Ms Edna Rijkaard. All the 10 participants were able to show their ability, skills and competence  in not only putting together sensible thoughts on paper, but also recite them in such a manner that the audience can enjoy it. Participants who successfully completed the workshop will receive a certificate.

The Cultural Awareness Program “Know your History, create your Future”, organized by the Philipsburg Jubilee Library in cooperation with the Ark Foundation, is funded by the SNYDAP.