USM Students Share the Joy of Reading in Saba & Statia
November 3, 2025
USM’s Education students brought books to life during a two-day Reading Festival in Saba and Statia. From puppet shows to live storytelling, the event inspired laughter, learning, and community connection showing that the power of reading truly unites hearts across the Caribbean.
Stories came alive across Saba and St. Eustatius as students from the University of St. Martin’s (USM) Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program hosted a Mini Reading Festival that left children smiling, teachers inspired, and entire communities connected through the magic of books.
Led by UVI@USM administrator Mrs. Marva Sam, the USM students teamed up with their peers on the islands from the Creative Arts for Teachers class of the BAE program to bring two days of fun, color, and creativity to local schools and libraries. The event opened with a lively puppet show and a reading of The Hungry Caterpillar, before transitioning into a playful dramatization of The Owl and the Rooster a performance that captured the hearts of both young and old.
Children cheered, laughed, and engaged as stories unfolded on stage, proving that books truly can leap off the page when imagination leads the way. “It was so beautiful to see the joy on the children’s faces,” Antonia Joseph-Phillips shared. “We wanted them to feel that reading isn’t just something you do, it's something you experience.”
The trip was about more than just storytelling. USM students also met with principals and teachers from all four primary schools on St. Eustatius to exchange ideas on strengthening literacy and creativity in the classroom. Their conversations sparked new possibilities for collaboration between educators on the islands.
In a touching moment, the USM students also sat down with CAFY students and their coordinator, Mr. Lindo, for an open and honest discussion about their challenges, dreams, and hopes for the future. The exchange, filled with empathy and understanding, strengthened bonds between both groups and reminded everyone of the shared purpose that education brings.
To end their trip, the USM students were invited to the Seventh-day Adventist Book Week Launch, where they performed The Hungry Caterpillar once more, a proud and joyful finale to their week of storytelling and community connection.
The University of St. Martin extends heartfelt thanks to the schools, teachers, and community members of Saba and St. Eustatius for their warmth and collaboration. The success of the Mini Reading Festival reflects USM’s ongoing mission to inspire creativity, strengthen education, and build bridges across the Caribbean.
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Led by UVI@USM administrator Mrs. Marva Sam, the USM students teamed up with their peers on the islands from the Creative Arts for Teachers class of the BAE program to bring two days of fun, color, and creativity to local schools and libraries. The event opened with a lively puppet show and a reading of The Hungry Caterpillar, before transitioning into a playful dramatization of The Owl and the Rooster a performance that captured the hearts of both young and old.
Children cheered, laughed, and engaged as stories unfolded on stage, proving that books truly can leap off the page when imagination leads the way. “It was so beautiful to see the joy on the children’s faces,” Antonia Joseph-Phillips shared. “We wanted them to feel that reading isn’t just something you do, it's something you experience.”
The trip was about more than just storytelling. USM students also met with principals and teachers from all four primary schools on St. Eustatius to exchange ideas on strengthening literacy and creativity in the classroom. Their conversations sparked new possibilities for collaboration between educators on the islands.
In a touching moment, the USM students also sat down with CAFY students and their coordinator, Mr. Lindo, for an open and honest discussion about their challenges, dreams, and hopes for the future. The exchange, filled with empathy and understanding, strengthened bonds between both groups and reminded everyone of the shared purpose that education brings.
To end their trip, the USM students were invited to the Seventh-day Adventist Book Week Launch, where they performed The Hungry Caterpillar once more, a proud and joyful finale to their week of storytelling and community connection.
The University of St. Martin extends heartfelt thanks to the schools, teachers, and community members of Saba and St. Eustatius for their warmth and collaboration. The success of the Mini Reading Festival reflects USM’s ongoing mission to inspire creativity, strengthen education, and build bridges across the Caribbean.
Latest News →
