On March 10, 2019, the Women’s Ministries Department of the Philipsburg Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church hosted a graduation ceremony for 19 participants of a home-care training program, at the Church in Zaegersgut.
The courses were designed, specifically, to train caregivers of local community residents who may be shut-in, elderly or bedridden and require assistance. Participants were trained to: Establish healthy attachments; effectively negotiate everyday challenges; think critically and solve problems; and foster trust in those who receive care.
During her Valedictorian’s Address, Ms. Kim Graham thanked God for her achievement, despite wanting to quit, and encouraged her fellow graduates to do all things through Christ who strengthens them. The participants were proud of their accomplishments and listened attentively to several guest presenters.
Mr. Wycliffe Smith, the Honorable Minister of Education, Sports, Culture and Youth on St. Maarten, congratulated the 17 women and 2 men – he urged them to continue serving others, knowing that they are doing this in service to the Most High King.
The guest speaker, Mrs. Linda Ambrose, who is the Director for the Children and Adolescents of the North Caribbean Conference of SDA, encouraged the graduates to shine and to put God first in everything.
Mrs. Cameka Henry-Stewart, the head of the Women’s Ministries Department of the Philipsburg SDA Church and brainchild of the program, was delighted and relieved that the one year course had come to fruition. She encouraged all the graduates to go out and put what they learned into practice.
The program coordinator and main course presenter, Nurse Candida Williams, was elated to have come this far by faith, despite many challenges.
The ceremony included an awards presentation and was followed by a luncheon at the Hewey Building, for graduates and guests. The main objective of the training program was to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for recovery and healthy living.