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PATRIOTS OF STATIA - Devika Chandler

Meet the creator of Carib Thing

Twenty-year-old Devika Chandler also known as "Didi" is the creator of Carib Thing, a social networking service. In 2013 at the age of 17, like many Caribbean youngsters Devika left the island of St. Eustatius to continue her education in the Netherlands. She currently studies cultural and social development at The Hague university of applied sciences.

Carib Thing aims to educate, entertain and empower the Caribbean and other youngsters through the medium of film. The videos are uploaded via its own YouTube channel. On this channel, videos on various topics can be found, such as art and inspirational stories, just to name a few. Carib Thing also has interviews with Caribbean students,  in these videos students share the story of their educational journey in a foreign country. 

How did you come up with the idea?

Well, I have always loved art and been fascinated with entertainment. I spend allot of time on Youtube and enjoy watching movies, cartoons, documentaries, music videos etc. Because of these factors and my passion,  I knew I wanted to start a Youtube channel. I just wasn’t to shore jet  on what kind of content I would create.

Within my study, one of the main focuses is on ways  to empower marginalized groups in society, and how to stimulate citizens to participate in these activities as a result of positive change.  We also focus on in which ways art, self-expression contribute to development and social cohesion.    

During the first semester of my first year, I received a group assignment, where we had to interview professionals in the work field , and present a short film of it in class. I loved it. This first year was my first time I ever spend such a long period away from my mother, sister, and best friends, I really missed them. It was also the first time I was fully independent and  really had to be an adult. Dealing with these things, plus handling school and adjusting to a new environment was difficult. Even though I lived in the Netherlands when I was younger, it was still new in its own way. So I could only imagine for others who lived on  their island their whole life’s, and immigrate to a new country where they don’t have any family. 

I know that our parents, older siblings, cousins and maybe our grandparents all went through this, and the generation after us will follow as well. I believe that we all leave home with a goal to accomplish something. So I created Carib Thing as a platform to share information, support, motivation and advice, for both students who are currently studying and high school students, so they can have insight on the experience.  Carib Thing also tends to people who are hesitant about going go back to school or viewers who just enjoy seeing Caribbean people uniting and the content that is produced.

I’ve received allot of support from Caribbean students, friends and family, and not to forget my fellow Statians. I really enjoy what I  do,  and pray I can keep developing my craft and expand my audiences. As for student life,  I got the hang of things now, but of course life comes with its ups and downs. I just ask the lord for guidance and continue to focus on my goals. 

STATIA TOURISM LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

STATIA TOURISM LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius -The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) launched a new fully-featured website. The new website www.statia-tourism.com went live on World Tourism Day, September 27, during the Sustainability Conference. 

The new website is part of STDF’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and availability of information to viewers worldwide. The new site has extensive content and offers quick and easy access to essential information and activities on Statia. The purple and green website boasts a modern and attractive design. The updated information and pictures give visitors a realistic insight into what Statia has to offer. 

“We had to make sure the site was ready for the world to see and had every bit of content that we want it to have. As we know, having a website means constant change, and we will be seeing to it that the web pages are highly glossed on a regular basis and accessible to browsers around the clock,” said STDF’s Public Relations Officer Teena Lopes. 

“We are also aware that having a website optimized for usage on a laptop, smartphone, tablet, et cetera, is only half the work. We would like to encourage everyone to visit this website and explore its features,” STDF said. 

The website also has a page which provides detailed information about STDF. Feedback and opinions for content updates are welcome. “Being active daily and connecting with the world of social media is an intricate part of the development. Hence the reason why we encourage all stakeholders to link this site to theirs and we do the same in return,” STDF stated.

Welcome Speech by Commissioner of Tourism, Derrick Simmons - SSC-5

Dear participants,

Seeing our island as a tourist destination and tourism being one of the economic pillars of our economy, we must take into consideration how important sustainability and accessibility are today. The Government of our Island takes pleasure in welcoming you to our island and to the 5^th annual Statia Sustainable Conference (SSC).

When we put our minds together there is no obstacle that can’t be overcome. I anticipate, by using the previous conference as a benchmark, that this conference too will bear fruits and enhance entrepreneurship, resulting in the growth of small and medium businesses.

Let me give a special welcome to the keynote speaker, Mr. Ian Blanchard, Managing Director/Coach CILC Action of Barbados. Make use of his passion for helping businesses be successful. Often we only associate the term coach with sports, but sports coaches are not only there during the sporting event but are often involved in the day to day activities of the athletes. It makes sense to have a business coach also who guides businesses in its development.

On a final note, please actively participate in this conference, because you are encouraged to be a participant rather than a spectator.

Welcome to delegates by Chandé Eboni Rivers

Welcome to the Historical Gem of the Caribbean, St. Eustatius, and welcome to the 5th annual Statia Sustainable Conference. My name is Chandé Eboni Rivers, a 19 year old Hospitality Management student, who attends College in The Netherlands and is fortunate enough to be currently doing Internship at a hotel on St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. Since July 27th, 2016 I have been crowned Statia’s Senior Carnival Queen. My family and I are extremely proud of this accomplishment, but more so honored to be considered an Ambassador for the island of my birth. Coming from a bloodline of Entrepreneurs, I am blessed and driven to become a successful Entrepreneur one day, and in keeping with my area of study, hope to join the Tourism Industry on my Island in the near future and contribute the knowledge and experience I have acquired during my years abroad. To the visitors, especially those who may be visiting us for the first time, I hope that you have considered leaving some space in your schedule to see our beautiful island, perhaps; hike the quill, take a dive or enjoy some local music and food. I wish you all an enjoyable, informative and productive conference.

ANNOUNCING IAN BLANCHARD AS KEYNOTE AT THE 5TH SUSTAINABLE CONFERENCE

ANNOUNCING IAN BLANCHARD AS KEYNOTE AT THE 5^TH SUSTAINABLE CONFERENCE

Ian Blanchard

ST. EUSTATIUS--St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) together with St. Eustatius Business Association (STEBA) and St. Eustatius National Park Stenapa, will host the St. Eustatius Sustainable Conference. Ian Blanchard will be the opening keynote speaker at the annual conference, which will be held at Mike van Putten Youth Center September 26-27, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Blanchard will conduct a workshop on the second day of the conference dubbed “Driving Sustainable Leadership.” The conference is designed to challenge tourism planners, policymakers, stakeholders and the general public to develop and implement strategies and practices that can sustain Statia’s limited resources. This year’s conference theme will focus on the island’s accessibility by air and sea connections. Blanchard holds a Higher National Diploma in Telecommunications and a Master of Business Administration from Brunel University in London. He is a businessman, executive coach, and facilitator. Blanchard has served as Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless in Dominica between 2002 and 2004 and in Grenada from 2004 and 2008. In Dominica, he spearheaded the preparation for competition and initiated a number of enterprises, including the now famous Creole in the Park festival. Among his first task in Grenada was to lead the team through rebuilding the telecommunications network after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. In 2008, Blanchard was called upon to lead Cable & Wireless’ transition into LIME as the company’s Executive Vice-President Transformation.

About the Statia Sustainable Conference

The Statia Sustainable Conference is designed to challenge tourism planners, policymakers, stakeholders and the general public to develop and implement strategies and practices that can sustain Statia’s limited resources.

About the St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation

The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation is the agency responsible for promoting and developing tourism on St. Eustatius. The mission is to get the island Government to lend greater priority to tourism by providing adequate funding to effectively and efficiently promote tourism in key markets; ensuring a quality tourism product by introducing and controlling the minimum standard requirements; preparing future generations to take on greater responsibilities within this sector by means of teaching tourism as a subject on levels of the education system.

The STDF office is located at Fort Oranje, Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean. Tel/Fax: +599 318 2433,

Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/page/St-Eustatius-Tourism/184630988242982

ILOVESTATIS BlogSpot: http://ilovestatia.blogspot.com/2016/05/product-development-and-human-resources.html

NEW BOLD AND INNOVATIVE

By Vaughn M. Sams

Not sure if you noticed, but there's something great happening on St. Eustatius! With the economic downturn, we have managed to produce a new wave of young Entrepreneurs. Many youngsters are on the search for a better way and are creating the small businesses to help solve many of the problems we are facing along with providing much-needed services!

For those of you who have that burning feeling inside to create something new/bold/innovative. Act on that feeling! Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark... A large group of professionals built the Titanic. #ProudStatian #ExcitedForTheFuture #Success

Statia Sustainable Conference is ON-THE-GO!

STATIA GET’S READY FOR TASTE OF THE CULTURES ON MAY 26

STATIA GET’S READY FOR TASTE OF THE CULTURES ON MAY 26

In photo: Charlie lopes, Staff member STDF

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius (May 18, 2016) -- St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) and the St. Eustatius Business Association (STEBA) will host the first Statia Taste of the Cultures event on Thursday, May 26, at the dock in Lower Town, starting at 6:00pm. A parade of flags, choreographed by St. Eustatius Historical Gem Dancers, will start off the event.

The taste of the Cultures is billed as a community experience, a cross-cultural event, exhibiting multiple nationalities. Ten groups will participate in the first event representing, among others, Curaçao, Aruba, Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis, China, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, Barbados, and Statia with an international twist.

“We want to create an atmosphere where all cultures on the island can unite, for united we are stronger,” said Winston Fleming, STEBA President.

“From tasting snacks and having a cold drink from various cultures to engaging in conversations with like-minded people from all walks of life, is the concept behind the event,” said Teena Lopes, STDF Public Relations Officer.

“With the birth of this event, visitors, as well as locals, will have the opportunity to taste the flavours of various cultures.” “Statia, a tiny island with a population of around 4000, has over 40 different nationalities. How best to enjoy each other, then bringing these various cultures together with food, art and traditions, to learn from each other and above all, taste each other’s national dishes,” said Maya Leon Pandt, Product Development and Human Resources Manager.

This food-filled fun day is part of STDF’s monthly tourism awareness programme. Its purpose is to increase/build tourism alertness on the island and at the same time, highlight different aspects of tourism that exists locally. Taste of the cultures is expected to take place on the last Thursday of the month.

“This will be an eye-catching extravaganza for all to enjoy. We encourage folks to come along with the kids and treat their taste buds,” said Fleming.

STATIA TASTE OF THE CULTURES - First addition

TOURISM FOUNDATION ATTENDS HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE ON ANTIGUA

 Product Development and Human Resources Manager Maya Leon-Pandt and Office Assistant Sharmin Turner prior to departure.

TOURISM FOUNDATION ATTENDS HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE ON ANTIGUA

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius (May 11, 2016) --St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) will be attending the eight Tourism Human Resources (HR) Conference, which will be held May 11- 13 at Jolly Beach Resort and Spa in Antigua. The theme of the conference is “Making Excellence a Habit; Service, Loyalty, and Profitability in Caribbean Tourism.

The conference is to bring together tourism practitioners from both the public and private sectors, human-resource professionals, tourism educators/trainers and consultants, as well as tourism and hospitality students of tertiary institutions, to share strategies and best practices on areas and issues affecting the tourism and hospitality sectors, to provide updated information on various aspects of tourism’s development, to enhance skills and to allow opportunities for professional networking.

Product Development and Human Resources Manager Maya Leon-Pandt and Office Assistant Sharmin Turner at the Opening ceremony this morning.

STDF Product Development and Human Resources Manager Maya Leon-Pandt and Office Assistant Sharmin Turner will attend the three-day conference. “I attended the HR Conference before and it has a wealth of information on employee relations especially in the hospitality field. Useful information that applies to everyday working life,” said Pandt.

Attendees can learn from speakers of international and regional acclaim, who will provide information on the development of a sustainable tourism industry to position the Caribbean as a desirable, year-round warm-weather destination. STDF’s public relations officer Teena Lopes said a key part of the conference is the forum where tourism and hospitality students have an opportunity to showcase, in an interactive way, their knowledge of the importance of tourism to the Caribbean.

According to the information listed on the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) site, onecaribbean.org, This year’s programme will include two interactive and practical master classes facilitated by “very knowledgeable and dynamic” experts. One master class will seek to enhance participants’ understanding and awareness of how the process of continuous improvement can contribute towards the pursuit of service and business excellence while the second master class will delve into the topic of how to increase customer and brand loyalty.