By Foresee Foundation
At 79 years old, Signita of St. Maarten has spent a lifetime caring for others. For many years, she worked as a cleaning lady for a local doctor, dedicating herself to honest work. Yet despite her years of service, her income was never enough to secure a steady pension. As a result, Signita struggles to make ends meet and cannot always afford healthy food or basic necessities.
Life could have become isolating and discouraging. Limited finances meant limited choices; especially when it came to nutritious meals. For many seniors, this kind of hardship can quietly erode both physical health and emotional wellbeing, but Signita’s story did not end there.
Through the local Food Market program, Signita now has access to weekly groceries, including fresh produce and staple products. What began as support soon grew into something much more meaningful. Rather than simply receiving assistance, Signita chose to give back. She began volunteering four days a week at the Freegan Food Foundation. She cleans, cooks meals, unpacks groceries, and lends a helping hand wherever it is needed.
In the beginning, Signita was shy and soft-spoken. She would come in quietly, help where she could, and rarely say much. Over time, however, her confidence blossomed. Today, she is described as unstoppable. In the kitchen especially, she has become indispensable. Her energy, commitment, and pride in her work inspire everyone around her.
For Signita, the foundation is more than a place to volunteer, it is her happy place. Her grandchildren know it, too. They often ask her, “Tata, are you going to the happy place?”
The Food Market program has not only improved her access to healthy food but has restored her sense of purpose, belonging and joy. On Wednesdays when the fresh produce arrives, she carefully inspects the fruits and vegetables with a smile and often says warmly, “Oh Djosj, what would the people do without Freegan?”
Unfortunately, a “Sint Maarten with Signita’s happy place” may be looming if the community does not take action. Freegan now has to find a new space by July in order to continue their operations. Losing their headquarters puts all of what Freegan represents and provides for the community at risk. The food bank that serves 150 families every single week, the thrift store keeping the foundation financially afloat, and the family coaching program designed to help families out of poverty.
Freegan’s family coaching program is part of the Strengthening Families Together program – an initiative by Oranje Fonds and Kinderpostzegels, with Foresee Foundation for the Windward Islands coordinating the capacity-building component. The program supports organizations across the Dutch Caribbean with knowledge, networks, and funding to strengthen vulnerable families.
If you or someone you know has a suitable space for Freegan to continue their work, please visit www.freeganfoodfoundation.com
