Travel Blog: A Reading Festival in Sint Maarten that Inspires a Love for Books

In October I had the incredible opportunity to experience an intense and enriching week in Sint Maarten, where, together with a group of partners and allies, we organized an unforgettable reading festival. This event not only brought together hundreds of children and families around books but also highlighted the deep need to foster a love for reading in local communities.

From day one, I worked closely with the Ministry of Education, the University of Sint Maarten, the Sint Maarten Library, the university of Sint Maarten and, the Help Our Children Foundation. The commitment of each institution was key to the success of this week. Throughout the week, we focused entirely on preparing for the events on Friday and Saturday, dedicating long hours to organizing activities and carefully selecting books and educational materials to be distributed to the participating schools. It was hard work, but every moment was worth it.

Beyond the preparations, we had the chance to visit a few schools and speak with teachers and principals. The needs in terms of educational resources are evident, but so is the teachers’ desire to empower children and ignite a passion for reading in them. It was inspiring to see how, despite limitations, the teachers are committed to this mission and wish for books to be a transformative tool in their students’ lives.

The festival itself took place over Friday, October 18th, and Saturday, October 19th and was a true success. One of the most special moments came on Saturday when parents joined the activities alongside their children. Seeing them participate in joint activities was an eye-opener for many, as they discovered that reading can also be a family activity. Parents realized how valuable it is to share a book with their children and create moments of learning and connection at home. We also organized cultural games and recreational activities that captivated the children, allowing them to explore and enjoy reading in a fun and engaging way.

At the end of both days, Friday and Saturday, we received countless words of thanks and congratulations from the parents and teachers who attended. The educational community was so motivated that many expressed interest in receiving special training to continue promoting reading among their students and better utilizing library resources.

This festival was not just a small contribution – it marked the start of a powerful movement to establish a culture of reading in Sint Maarten. We’re thrilled to have taken the first step in what we hope will be a long and meaningful journey, strengthening the love for reading and fostering a new generation of enthusiastic readers. Now more than ever, we are committed to continuing to collaborate with the teachers and parents who want to see their children grow up surrounded by great books. See you next year, Sint Maarten, to continue building this beautiful movement!

I hope you will join us next year as a donor, participant, or volunteer to keep the momentum growing.

Written by Bethzy Gianella Chiang, Director of Biblionef Nederland