Discovering St. Maarten’s Monuments Through the Eyes of Our Students – The Little Explorers
About the Project
The Little History Explorers: Heritage Walks is a hands-on educational project designed to bring St. Maarten’s history and culture to life. Through guided student-led tours of national monuments—including the Courthouse, Oranje School, Methodist Church, and the Museum—primary school students become young cultural ambassadors, connecting with heritage in a meaningful way.
The program provides interactive booklets, “Heritage Passports,” and engaging storytelling by local historians to make history exciting, relatable, and accessible. Parents, teachers, and community members are also involved, ensuring the project fosters intergenerational learning and deeper cultural appreciation.
By blending education, culture, and community, Little History Explorers helps strengthen identity, pride, and awareness of St. Maarten’s rich heritage for future generations.
Meet the Project Manager: Ms. Jillianne Maria
Jillianne Maria is the driving force behind Little History Explorers: Heritage Walks. A proud mom of two, cultural enthusiast, and advocate for parental involvement, she is passionate about ensuring children grow up with a strong sense of local history and identity.
Her motivation for creating this project stems from a simple but powerful observation: too often, local history is missing from the primary school curriculum. Determined to change this narrative, Jillianne designed a program that places students directly in touch with the island’s monuments, stories, and traditions.
With a background in coordination and community initiatives, she has combined her organizational skills and cultural passion to deliver a project that highlights national pride while encouraging students to explore, ask questions, and share knowledge. For Jillianne, this initiative is not just about teaching history—it’s about cultivating belonging and empowering the next generation of St. Maarteners.
Heritage Walk - Sr. Borgia Elementary School
