our story
Our founder believes that "we are our highest selves when we can create and everyone can create." As a small island nation, Sint Maarten is limited in its capacity to support the young population to prepare for the changing needs of the post-pandemic world. What Sint Maarten lacks in sustainable infrastructure it makes up for with local talent and creative power; however, the financial costs and lack of resource increases the barrier to access for many leaders and dreamers.
In addition, the Sint Maarten Diaspora lacks the resources to access and amplify Sint Maarten's culture abroad. Our founder believes that Sint Maarten's great asset is its people, and created EmpowerU with a focus to support the needs of the island's community. Having navigated furthering her studies abroad in the US, our founder knows firsthand how difficult it can be to find resources to help find connections and support outside the island.
Our goal at EmpowerU is to fill this space with the intention of making it easier for Sint Maarteners to find resources to amplify their voice.
empower. educate. expand.
our community
The island of Sint Maarten is divided into two nations, sharing one island. The South known as the Dutch Side is a semi-autonomous nation within the Dutch Kingdom, while the North known as the French Side is apart of the French Collectivité.
The local population is less than 80,000.
Sint Maarteners are a small minority group within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Despite such small numbers, Sint Maarten's population is amongst the most diverse in the world and its community is quite dense due to the island's small square footage. As a cultural melting pot, Sint Maarten is a cultural hotspot and hub for breeding incredible talent across various fields. No two Sint Maarteners are alike, yet they carry an energy and spirit like no other.
As a small island nation, protecting the culture and identity of this land is so important. Finding Sint Maarten historical and cultural artifacts outside of the island and Kingdom is near impossible. As a minority group, Sint Maarten has yet to make major waves in the digitally connected market largely due to the lack of infrastructure and support for locals within this community. As a result, the Sint Maarten Diaspora slows the local growth of the island due to the impacts of brain drain. Those abroad struggle to find tangible methods to maintain their connection to the island outside of family and previous friend circles. This can result in a type of cultural isolation few can relate to.
There is no place like Sint Maarten.
For that, it is should be protected.
# built for the culture
We at EmpowerU believe growth can best be nurtured in a group. Group spaces foster dynamic and collaborative environments that create opportunities for innovation, connection, and empathy. Sint Maarten is a diverse community that hosts an international breath of perspectives, exchanging culture and ideas due to geographical proximity. The Village is a digital representation of this exchange by creating an opportunities for Sint Maarten’s abroad to support one another regardless of where they are.
the village
how you can join
01
Your donations no matter how small adds up and make a difference. Every $1 you donate supports our organization and partners by funding programs and initiatives that empower and educate our community.
02
Join the Village today and start serving your community! Write a blog piece about your study, become a mentor to a local student, create content about your experiences, and more. If you are interested in volunteering, contact us today.
03
share our story
Help us cultivate our own narrative. Sharing our story with others not only helps bring awareness to our community, but helps others find and connect with us. Subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media @empoweru.carib.