By Foresee Foundation
After twelve editions, SXM DOET is still going strong – and for the team behind it, that says something important about the place volunteering has within the St. Maarten community.
Over the years, volunteer work and community service have become increasingly visible, and SXM DOET hopes it has played a role in making volunteering more accessible and showing that giving back can take many forms.
For the team, volunteering has also become more holistic. It is not only about “doing your DOETy” or giving something back. It can contribute to personal development, mental wellbeing, new skills, networks and connection.
“We believe volunteering benefits both the person giving and the community receiving.”
That is also why they believe it is important to start young and make community involvement a natural part of life.
Young people were especially visible during SXM DOET 2026, with Youth Ambassadors Whishaun and Goldie, together with their coordinator Shanica, helping incorporate youth participation into the campaign.
One lesson has been that young people engage more when they are given a real role and space for their own ideas and creativity. Volunteering becomes especially attractive when it is social, visible, meaningful and fun and, more importantly, when young people can actually see the impact of their contribution.
Creativity was also behind one of the standout moments of this year’s DOET. A group of friends came together for the first time to support an NGO and add some colour to public life on St. Maarten. The result was the mural – “It is going to be a great bay!” – overlooking Great Bay and becoming part of the wider Color Me SXM initiative.
Through SXM DOET, the team also continues to see some of the needs facing local non-profits. Maintenance and improvement of buildings and spaces remain important, especially given the island’s climate and rising costs. At the same time, they are seeing more social projects highlighting the need for connection.
“In an increasingly digital world, something as simple as a smile, helping hand or moment of attention can have a real impact.”
Behind it all is a four-person coordinator team working year-round, with each edition building on the previous one in collaboration with Oranje Fonds.
And they already have their eyes on SXM DOET 2027.
If you have never participated, they describe it as: “Family-, friend- and team-friendly; a safe space to get creative, meet new people and learn a new skill.”
May 14-15, 2027, will be the 13th Edition of this important community tradition. Keep an eye on SXM DOET’s socials and website to register on time.
As the team would say, “Let’s DOET this!”
