The business community can help Sint Maarten get back on top. But how? P + editor Dennis Mensink joined one hundred local and international entrepreneurs and as they made plans on how best to rebuild St Maarten. His experience was one to live and die for. Unforgettable. He decided to keep a blog.
With great enthusiasm one entered on the list of special experiences. Last week I was one of the participants of the Build Back Better Week. I got to know this mission through Valerie Vallenduuk from Present Your Startup. Vallenduuk, its business partner Jildou Steensma, EY Caribbean, 360, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Dutch Caribbean Chambers of Commerce thought that something had to be done for the economy of the affected Sint Maarten. Making the island all ‘more resilient’ was the intention.
Around 100 local and international entrepreneurs and other interested parties from ten different countries came to the island on a voluntary basis to see what we could think of for ideas and concepts during a 36-hour hackathon to have a serious impact. 21 teams, one goal.
It was an experience that I will not forget. Especially because I saw what kind of forces come free when it literally means life or death. People who have lost everything and feared for their lives, have to see the thread again soon. They have often been given temporary accommodations and have to get back to work as a fool in order to provide for their maintenance and make their house hurricane-proof. The next hurricane season is already on the doorstep.
Full of positivity and energy they pounce on new plans. Why do we come to make the island resilient? We have received a lesson in resilience. And a lesson in humility.
Our hackathone team, consisting of three local entrepreneurs (Denicio Wyatte, Ife Badejo and Dwane Sancho), the Aruban MP Michael Lampe, the Dutch management consultant and investor Rob Edelman and the undersigned, won the third prize with the concept The Force. Paid off after working hard! What a power was in the team.
‘More powerful than a hurricane’ we said quickly, even though it hit the concept in particular, with which we also want to control the problems caused by the hurricanes. With this platform, which consists of both a website and an app, we support local entrepreneurs who already have a lot of impact in their community. This is made easier by mutual cooperation and trade – also with the other islands in the region. These local heroes form the core of the concept.
The prize consists of a mentorship from the local Orco Bank. But that is not everything. Like three other winning initiatives, our concept caught the attention of Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo of Sint Maarten, who was present. She was impressed and indicated that the concepts could come to fruition with the help of the Dutch emergency fund of 550 million euros. “We will do everything we can to see, together with the World Bank and the Netherlands, how we can support these creative initiatives. A lot of positive energy has been created; let’s see what we can do and how the initiatives fit into the different phases of our building plans. “ The event creates new opportunities for local business, emphasized Prime Minister Marlin-Romeo. “There have been networks, with new external contacts, which are very useful for rebuilding the economy.”
Her gratitude for the arrival to Sint Maarten did not hide the Prime Minister or the banks.
”I thank you, I thank you.” Completely mutual, Sint Maarten. Thank you for being part of your special, resilient society. May The Force be with you.
Wyatte’s Addition
The experience over the week of the BBB was an extremely great experience, allot of great contacts were made , allot of great ideas were shared and allot of great potential was exposed to important people that may contribute to building Back a Better St Maarten..
We hope that those in positions that are able to contribute to making these ideas a reality , should take consideration to the great advantages these concepts may bring to making our island more sustainable country.
Check out these great photos below of the BBB Event.
The force is an Social Innovative Network that will focus on connecting the adequate resources to the promising and sustainable necessities.
By P + editor
Dennis Mensink | Also a co-founder and member of Team The Force
Translated by Denicio Wyatte | Also a co-founder and member of The Team Force
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