St. Eustatius Auxiliary Home Foundation
A community-run care home in the heart of Oranjestad where donations, drop-ins and small purchases keep Statia's elders comfortable.
Why Go
Tucked into a coral-stone building on Fort Oranjestraat, the Auxiliary Home Foundation isn't a boutique in the usual sense — it's the island's beloved nursing home and a magnet for the kind of generous, low-key giving that defines Statia. Travellers who wander in leave with a story, a handshake from a nonagenarian, and the warm sense of having done something useful on holiday.
The Experience
Step through the doorway at number 36 and you're inside one of the oldest streets on the island, a stone's throw from Fort Oranje itself. The Foundation runs Statia's only full-service elderly and home-care facility, so the atmosphere is part clinic, part living room: staff in scrubs greeting neighbours by first name, residents playing dominoes in the shaded courtyard, and a steady trickle of family members dropping off home-cooked bakes. The 'retail' angle is quietly Statian — a small donation counter near reception where visitors can leave gently used books, toiletries, linens or cash contributions in exchange for a heartfelt tour and, if you time it right, a slice of johnny cake from the kitchen.
What to Try
Ask at the front desk about their wish-list card — it changes weekly and usually includes practical items (adult colouring books, sunscreen, cotton nightgowns) that are hard to source on-island. Pick a few up at a local mini-market beforehand and drop them off; the staff will let you sign the residents' visitor book, a lovely keepsake moment. If you're staying longer, ask whether the Foundation is hosting a bake sale or 'ole mask' fundraiser during your visit — these community pop-ups sell local sweets, hand-sewn aprons and second-hand treasures with proceeds going straight to resident care.
Insider Tip
Visiting hours are strictly 10:00–13:00 and 16:00–18:30, and the Foundation asks that you phone ahead 15 minutes at (+599) 318-2799 so a staff member can meet you at the door. Come in the late-afternoon slot: residents are most alert, the trade winds have cooled the courtyard, and you'll often overlap with family visitors happy to translate Papiamentu stories into English.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Fort Oranjestraat 36, Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands). Hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00, Sat 09:00–12:00; visitor windows 10:00–13:00 & 16:00–18:30. Phone: +599 318-2799. Email: info@auxhomestatia.com. Payment: cash (USD) or in-kind donations preferred; card facilities are limited. Accessibility: ground-floor entry, step-free. Dress modestly — this is a working care home, not a tourist shop.
Pair It With
- Fort Oranje Guide — Two-minute walk uphill to Statia's 17th-century Dutch fortress — the natural companion sightseeing stop on the same street.
- Alvin V. Courtar Park — A shaded neighbourhood park a short stroll away where you can decompress after your visit and watch local life unfold.
- Bacchanalia Guide — Nearby restaurant ideal for a Caribbean lunch or dinner once you've finished your morning drop-off.
- Aquarium Dive Site — Balance the day's community moment with an afternoon underwater — Statia's flagship reef dive is minutes from town.
