Despite all the latest political and governmental developments, today’s story about a programme of the Netherlands Red Cross to prepare daily meals for pupils of 17 St. Maarten primary schools over the next three months must not go unnoticed. Thanks to the volunteered assistance of Dutch festival organisers, they started providing 4,800 children with both breakfast and lunch effective Monday.
One doesn’t have to be a nutritionist to figure out that learning on an empty stomach is difficult at best. In the island’s present situation, with people still homeless, having lost their jobs and income or soon to do so, this is very welcome news indeed.
Using the kitchen at Sundial School after repairs by Army Engineers makes the initiative even more positive, as this will add to hospitality students’ educational experience.
The catering is also said to be embedded in the local culture, so the food ought to be reasonably familiar.
Not only should the recipients of this aid be able to do better in the classroom, but their parents, perhaps going through tough times of their own, will have one less worry, at least on weekdays. The value of such under the current social-economic circumstances cannot be underestimated.
Those involved in the huge operation deserve to be commended for their efforts to help take care of these youngsters as one of the most vulnerable and obviously important groups in society. It’s essential for especially children who are still growing to eat right, and this is one way to ensure just that.
The example also shows that whatever tensions there may be within the kingdom at an official level, individual organisations and private persons continue to work together to make possible much-needed relief for the extremely hard-hit population.
That, ultimately, is what it’s all about.
