European Solidarity Corps Team Volunteering Project | Sint Maarten | 6–20 June 2026
V.O.I.S. was the first European Solidarity Corps team volunteering project at Point Blanche Prison in Sint Maarten. Over two weeks, international volunteers and local participants took part in music, photography, cooking, arts, sports and non-formal learning activities, with additional activities delivered at the MLC Youth Detention Center.
Organised by Tur Cos Ta Posibel, V.O.I.S. built on several years of similar work at Aruba National Prison (KIA), including the AMIS, FAIS and SIS projects. This experience led Point Blanche Prison and UNODC to support bringing the approach to Sint Maarten.
Activities
V.O.I.S. was based on learning and creating together, with international volunteers and local participants sharing skills, experiences and cultures.
Music & creativity – Participants explored instruments, songwriting, rap and music production, alongside photography, art and writing activities focusing on identity, memories and self-expression.
Cooking & cultural exchange – Participants prepared dishes from different countries and Caribbean traditions, sharing recipes and personal stories that were later brought together in a collaborative cookbook.
Sports & teamwork – Football, basketball, skateboarding, games and team challenges encouraged communication, cooperation and confidence.
Non-formal learning – Activities included team-building, problem-solving and Youthpass, helping participants reflect on the skills developed through volunteering and shared experiences.
Activities at MLC Youth Detention Center included creative workshops, cooking, sports and games, as well as the creation of a world map mural that remains at the centre.
Impact
The project culminated in an exhibition and performance attended by participants’ families and friends, the Ministry of Justice, prison management, UNODC, partners and supporters.
In just two weeks, participants produced more than 30 photographs for the final exhibition, a collaborative cookbook combining recipes and personal stories, original music and performances, and a permanent mural at MLC.
Beyond these tangible results, V.O.I.S. created opportunities for participants to develop skills, express themselves and contribute alongside international volunteers. It also laid the foundations for Tur Cos Ta Posibel’s continued activities at Point Blanche and MLC.
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V.O.I.S. Day by Day
Opening the project
The first days focused on getting to know one another and creating an environment where participants felt heard, respected and included. At Point Blanche, international volunteers and local participants shared expectations and were introduced to the music, cooking, photography, creative and sports workshops. The group also explored Youthpass and reflected on the skills and competences they hoped to develop through the experience.
Day 3 – Workshops begin
Participants moved into their workshop groups and began exploring different ways to express themselves and connect. The music group started with a jam session, while the cooking group prepared Croatian stuffed peppers. Creative activities explored the emotions, memories and identities associated with food, before everyone came together through sport. Creativity, culture and movement became different ways of building a shared language.
Day 4 – Creativity & cultural exchange
Participants continued developing their workshops and began preparing for the final exhibition, documenting their experiences through photography and exploring colours, emotions and personal stories through art. The cooking group prepared traditional dishes from Curaçao – Kaasbal and Arepa di Pampuna – before the day concluded with sports and teamwork.
Day 5 – MLC
The project moved to the MLC Youth Detention Center, where participants joined creative, sports and cooking workshops. The cooking group prepared Greek gyros, while creative activities focused on self-expression and preparations for the final exhibition. During the afternoon, Mission (Im)Possible divided participants into teams for challenges involving cooperation, problem-solving and plenty of friendly competition.
Day 6 – Skateboarding
The day began with a skateboarding session led by Star, giving participants the chance to learn new skills, challenge themselves and encourage one another. Workshop groups then continued developing their projects and preparing material for the upcoming exhibition, with teamwork and shared experiences strengthening the relationships forming within the group.
Day 9 – Preparing the finale
As the final event approached, international volunteers and local participants worked together on the music performance and exhibition, turning individual ideas and talents into shared creations. Cultural exchange continued in the kitchen, where Luigi and the cooking team prepared traditional lasagna. Each workshop brought the group closer to presenting what they had achieved together.
Day 10 – Caribbean culture
Art, music, photography and collaborative activities continued as participants prepared for the final performance and exhibition. Cooking again became an important part of the day, with Jeffrey, Joel and Jose joining the cooking team to prepare a Caribbean meal featuring dishes including mashed plantain, Johnny cake, saltfish, rice and beans. Sharing traditions through food provided another opportunity to learn about different cultures and strengthen connections.
Day 11 – Back to MLC
The V.O.I.S. team returned to MLC for activities including board games, sport and creative workshops. The cooking team prepared a Guadeloupean-inspired mac and cheese with chicken, while the creative group worked on a world map mural. Left on the walls of MLC, the mural became a lasting reminder of the friendships created and the idea of solidarity beyond borders.
Final Day
The final day brought together everything developed over the two weeks. More than 30 photographs taken by participants were presented in an exhibition, alongside a cookbook combining recipes, personal stories and cultural traditions. Participants also presented music they had created and performed themselves. Family and friends, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, prison management, UNODC and other partners joined the celebration. More than an exhibition or performance, the event showcased creativity, new skills, friendships and what can become possible when people are given space to participate and create together.
A Beginning, Not an End
V.O.I.S. may have lasted just two weeks, but its ambition went much further.
Tur Cos Ta Posibel’s work focuses on creating opportunities for people who have experienced incarceration or involvement with the criminal justice system to explore different pathways through learning, solidarity, volunteering and international mobility.
The experience of V.O.I.S. helped demonstrate the potential for these activities in Sint Maarten and opened the way for continued cooperation with Point Blanche, MLC and local and international partners.
V.O.I.S. was not an end point. It was a beginning.
Partners & Support
V.O.I.S. was organised by Tur Cos Ta Posibel and funded by the European Solidarity Corps programme through the Dutch National Agency (Nederlands Jeugdinstituut), with additional support and co-financing from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The project was developed in collaboration with Point Blanche Prison, with activities also taking place at the MLC Youth Detention Center, and with the support of the Ministry of Justice of Sint Maarten.