PARAMARIBO – On Friday, 12 October 2018, the Suriname America Alumni Association (SAAA) held a networking event at Riet Petit during which it announced the winners of the SAAA Small Grants Program.

The SAAA Small Grants Program is made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of State specifically for members of the SAAA. The purpose of the SAAA Small Grants Program is to improve society, government institutions, the economy, and the culture of Suriname, and/or inform Surinamese audiences about the United States, its culture, society, government, legal, economic and political systems, and values.

The SAAA awarded four (04) grants, of $3000.00 each, to the following winners:

Cherelys Dwarka Sing – STEAM Access for Girls in Sunny Point.

STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. STEAM Access for Girls is designed to assist young girls to think about how to create jobs, how to connect to the global world, and how to obtain the resources necessary to boost Suriname’s sustainable economy. This project will bring a STEAM-based training curriculum to girls between the ages of 9 – 12 years old in Sunny Point. The hands-on workshops will help the girls to develop the spatial logics and critical skills necessary for a STEAM career path.

Ashna Mahepal – Building Bridges Starting On-line

This project will create an online portal for individuals with an interest in enhancing bilateral trade, services exchange, tourism, investments, and the possibility to connect and initiate cooperation/partnerships. It will also feature areas, which are already in operation in Suriname and have potential to scale up with investment and expanded cooperation.

Obed Kanape – IBIGI Framework Pilot: Building a System to Support, Develop & Strengthen Youth Against Crime

This project will develop, implement, promote and support sustainable actions that can contribute to the realization of the IBIGI Framework known as IBIGI 1.0. IBIGI stands for: Imagine Believe Innovate Grow Impact. To implement the IBIGI Framework, youngsters from different neighborhoods will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to support one and another in this network of positive community actions.

Sean Resosemito – ECOSUR

The goal of this project is to replace plastic bags. The project will tailor training for different audiences depending on their level of environmental consciousness. The project will also design and print re-usable bags, create awareness through a social media campaign, and organize educational sessions on waste issues and waste management...[+]