STATIA / THE HAGUE--In a moment of extraordinary pride for one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean, St. Eustatius has taken center stage at the royal palace in the Netherlands. The Mega D Youth Foundation (MYF) has won a prestigious Appeltje van Oranje 2026, one of the Kingdom's most respected awards for social initiatives, earning royal recognition for its dedication to uplifting children, empowering young people and creating opportunities for a better future.
The foundation was announced as one of three winners during the awards ceremony at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on Thursday, October 8, in the presence of Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix. Queen Máxima presented the awards, which carry a cash prize of €25,000 for each winning organization, along with a bronze statuette designed and made by Princess Beatrix.
For Statia, an island whose population and geographic size are small compared to much of the Kingdom, the achievement is monumental. A community organization built around the needs and potential of local children has earned recognition at the highest level, proving that the size of an island does not determine the reach of its accomplishments.
From a Small Caribbean Island to the Royal Stage
The announcement was particularly significant because Mega D Youth Foundation was selected from among ten nominated organizations representing the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
During the ceremony, the foundation was introduced as the second of the three award recipients, with the jury recognizing an organization that understands that helping people means much more than providing assistance when difficulties arise.
The jury highlighted the foundation's commitment to creating opportunities for personal development, building confidence, encouraging independence and giving young people the tools to shape their futures.
Rather than concentrating on one problem or a single activity, Mega D Youth Foundation was praised for providing a safe and supportive environment where young people receive attention, guidance, opportunities to discover their talents and encouragement to take responsibility.
A particularly important element of the jury's assessment was the foundation's approach to treating young people not simply as recipients of assistance, but as active participants in their own development.
Through its programs, children and teenagers gain experiences, knowledge and practical skills that may not otherwise be readily available to them.
The jury also recognized the foundation's close connection with the Statia community and its collaboration with local partners, ensuring that immediate assistance is linked to skills and opportunities that young people can carry into adulthood.
Food With Heart: Feeding Children While Building Their Futures
One of the initiatives specifically recognized was the foundation's Food With Heart Project, which connects food assistance with education, healthy living, agriculture and entrepreneurship.
The project provides vulnerable young people aged 12 and older with nutritious, warm meals after school while introducing them to practical skills that can improve their lives.
Through a community greenhouse, participants help grow some of the food they consume, gaining first-hand experience in food production, responsibility, teamwork and entrepreneurship.
The approach transforms an immediate need, access to a healthy meal, into an opportunity for learning, personal growth and greater independence.
Beyond the Food With Heart Project, Mega D Youth Foundation also provides after-school activities, homework assistance and opportunities for children to learn through play and participation.
These initiatives promote education, healthy lifestyles, positive values and personal responsibility while supporting families and strengthening the wider community.
For the award jury, the foundation demonstrated how meaningful social support can combine compassion with opportunity, helping young people build confidence and develop the ability to determine their own futures.
A Royal Recognition That Belongs to Statia
The 2026 Appeltjes van Oranje awards were presented under the themeBreaking the Cycle of Poverty Together, recognizing organizations that address poverty and social disadvantage through approaches that create lasting opportunities.
Mega D Youth Foundation's selection demonstrates that effective solutions do not always begin with large institutions or substantial resources. They can also emerge from small communities where people understand the challenges facing their neighbors and commit themselves to making a difference.
For the children participating in the foundation's programs, the award sends an important message that their dreams, talents and potential matter, and that their island's young people deserve opportunities to succeed.
For the volunteers, partners, families and supporters who have contributed to the foundation's work, the recognition represents a significant acknowledgment of their collective efforts.
Ahead of the ceremony, the foundation expressed its pride in representing St. Eustatius alongside nine other nominated organizations and thanked everyone who had believed in its vision, supported its mission and contributed to its journey.
Its guiding principles, Educate, Motivate, Encourage, have now received recognition on one of the Kingdom's most prominent stages.
The €25,000 award will provide additional resources that can be used to advance the foundation's objectives and support its continued work with the young people of St. Eustatius.
A Victory Beyond the Award
The significance of Thursday's achievement extends beyond the prize money and royal ceremony.
Mega D Youth Foundation has brought international attention to the determination, creativity and community spirit of St. Eustatius. It has demonstrated that a small Caribbean island can produce initiatives worthy of recognition alongside established organizations across the Kingdom.
The achievement is also a reminder of what becomes possible when communities invest in their children and when young people are given not only assistance, but also the confidence, skills and encouragement to build their own futures.
From the classrooms and community spaces of Statia to the halls of Noordeinde Palace, Mega D Youth Foundation's journey has become a source of pride for an entire island.
Today, Statia is not simply celebrating an award. It is celebrating its young people, its community and the remarkable achievement of a foundation that has shown how a small island can make a significant difference.
Congratulations, Mega D Youth Foundation. You have made Statia proud!
