NPOwer launches video campaign to highlight local NPOs

Sint Maarten (Philipsburg)

NPOwer, tasked by Foresee Foundation with capacity strengthening for local Non-profit Organisations (NPOs), on Wednesday launched the “Know your NPO” video campaign. This initiative facilitates one to one and a half minute promotional videos of local NPOs, showcasing their good works, raising awareness of their work being done on St. Maarten and inspiring others to volunteer.

The first batch of five videos produced by local videographer Serb Tember was released during a small gathering of the NPOs, with representatives posting their respective videos to their social media accounts.

The NPOs that release their videos are Reading Rainbow Early Stimulation Nursery and Afterschool, Excellence Learning Academy, Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation St. Maarten, GBNM Nanny Nurssy Foundation and Animal Defenders.

The videos are created to give insight into the organisations that make a positive and significant difference on St. Maarten. This “Know your NPO” video program will continue as part of NPOwer’s 2022 plans, and it is expected that about 24 videos will be produced.

This initiative is financed by Samenwerkende Fondsen Cariben (SFC), that believes in strengthening the civil society sector. Local project Advisor for SFC Fleur Hermanides was present at the launch and said, "SFC is happy to have been able to contribute to NPOwer's endeavour in strengthening the capacities of NGOs and facilitating achieving their goals. These videos are another method of bringing about awarenessof the amazing work Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) do locally and the impacts they make on our community. A great empowering tool to get others aware and involved in serving our beautiful island."

NPOwer’s Jose Sommers, also present at the launch said, “It is important to recognise the achievements of hardworking NPOs on St. Maarten. Often these organisations are taken for granted and only recognised when people see them at an event but with this video initiative, we remind viewers that work is being done on St Maarten. We also remind viewers of these videos that they can also contribute to a worthwhile cause or activism.” The NPOs featured are members of NPOwer’s database.

Excellence Learning Academy Manager Nicole Rogers emphasizes similar thoughts focusing on the power of differently abled kids. She explained that when watching their video, it highlights what the school is doing to harness the abilities of each student to make great people of the future.

Nurse Monique of Nanny Nurssy Foundation represented by its full board of three was adamant to share their slogan: "Each one helps one, where this video will help even more to help others." Reminding everyone that they can help in building this island.

Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation St. Maarten, represented by Donna Wilson, and a relatively new compassionate foundation said, "This video exhibits their core vision thatGod is delighted when hearts are united. Just watch and see how seniors are meeting and spending valuable time with each other.”

Mercedes de Windt of Animal Defenders, one of the island’s major animal foundations, said a community showing their love and caring approach for animals is a very important part ofcommunity building.

Reading Rainbow Early Stimulation Nursery and Afterschool, located in the Back Street, could not physically attend due to an emergency situation. They regretted not being able to be present at the launch of this NPO promo video initiative as part of the NPOwer program.

All the videos can be viewed via NPOwer’s and the participating organisations’ social media accounts.