The Peridot Foundation
was founded on the beautiful island
of St. Maarten. Among the pristine white beaches with glistening waters, and
green lush hills, the demon of domestic violence has stained the island with its
talons. Several Non Profit organizations have been formed to ensure that there
is always a voice for the voiceless and always a place for the displaced.
Seeing the need to support these groups both morally and
financially a group of people got together and decided to take initiative to
ensure that these organization will continue to make their message known. On
March 23rd 1999 the Peridot foundation was formed by Gracita
Arrindell together with fellow board members Ingrid Bosnie, Judith Boekhout-
Berry, Perla Bruney and Irania Arrindell. This team got together, and with the
input of the community the symbol that is so gracefully displayed on each page
was formed.
A Memorial
In order to capture the public out cry against domestic violence in particular
and against violence in general, the idea came about to erect a memorial, in
this case a statue, which would hopefully serve to remind us that this form of
aggression or any other act of violence for that matter, is unacceptable in our
society. Figures from Safe Haven (our local shelter for people involved in
domestic disputes), and the police organization respectively provide the cold
and hard facts that the Island is heading into the wrong direction as a
community.
The statue has and will continue to serve the people of Saint Martin, North and
South regardless of race, religion or gender. The female figure with one hand
outstretched, while the other is protective of a child who is usually a witness
to the aggression, captures in our view, the essence of the problem we are faced
with today.
We would like to put a statue in every country, every city, every village and
every community in one form or another, until the evilness of domestic violence
is eradicated in the world.
This symbol, which carries the theme,Guarding Love Ones
You Might Loose carries not only a strong message, but an even stronger image
once seen. It solidifies the pro active measures that the women's organizations
have taken. It also symbolizes the stance that many people have taken much to
their detriment.
This site is not only meant to sell, but also to inform,
support and initiate discussion on the matter. One might say that it is a topic
that has had a lot of exposure, but until the issue of violence has stopped not
only in St. Maarten but across the world enough can never be said on the
subject.
Our hope, once you have left this site, is that you will be
another advocate of peace. You will by your actions share with others the hope
that has eluded so many men, women and children due to their different
circumstances. We all want peace in the world, we all want to ensure that our
loved ones are guarded and we all want to assurance that one day we will live in
a world where violence will be something that we read about in the history
books. The good news is that it can happen… The reality is that it must start
with you.
Enjoy