AGP Executive Report

Language & Diaspora: Hindi Divas at the UN highlighted Hindi’s role in connecting communities across borders, including in the Indo-Caribbean. Regional Sport: Lusignan Golf Club is sending 36 players to Paramaribo for the Suriname Invitational, including defending champions. Education: Suriname’s new school year is again disrupted by teacher and classroom shortages; some pupils attend only two or three days a week, while hundreds remain without school placements. Child Welfare: Kennedy Stichting staff say delayed wages threaten care for children in its shelter. ’s Lands Hospital has opened a centre offering abused children medical care and counselling, while Kinderhuis Ramoth is seeking donations for bills and essentials. Arts & Identity: Surinamese-Dutch artist Angel-Rose Oedit Doebé uses pink rice and archival images to explore Hindustani heritage, migration and memory.

Regional Golf: Lusignan Golf Club is sending 36 players to Paramaribo for the 2026 DSB Suriname Invitational, including defending champions Avinash and Patanjilee Persaud. Education: Teacher shortages, crowded classrooms and poor school conditions have disrupted the new school year; officials say they are assessing staffing needs, while some pupils still lack school places. Child Welfare: ’s Lands Hospital has opened a centre bringing medical care and counselling for abused children under one roof. But delayed salaries at Kennedy Stichting are disrupting staff and threatening care for children in its shelter. Arts & Identity: Surinamese-Dutch artist Angel-Rose Oedit Doebé uses pink rice and archival images to explore Surinamese-Hindustani identity and memory. Maternal Care: PAHO/WHO is training about 50 health professionals to improve the collection and use of data on maternal and newborn care.

Animal Health: Suriname’s confirmed bird flu outbreak has prompted Guyana to tighten farm hygiene and step up checks along the border. Education: Suriname’s new school year is off to a difficult start, with teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and poor building conditions disrupting lessons. Arts & Heritage: Amsterdam-based artist Angel Rose uses pink rice and archival images to explore Surinamese-Hindustani identity, migration and memory. Child Protection: ‘s Lands Hospital has opened a centre bringing medical care, counselling and support together for children who have experienced abuse. Maternal Health: PAHO/WHO is training about 50 Surinamese health professionals to improve the collection and use of information on maternal and newborn care.

Suriname’s Stories: Amsterdam-based artist Angel-Rose Oedit Doebé is using pink rice and Dutch-Surinamese television archives to explore Hindustani identity, migration and memory. Environmental Watch: Lawmakers are urging an investigation and temporary halt to mining near Kwakoegron, citing extensive excavation and possible pollution; they want officials to disclose permits and oversight. Children’s Welfare: ‘s Lands Hospital has opened a center offering abused children medical care, counseling and support in one place. But delayed wages at Kennedy Stichting, which shelters children, have prompted staff to strike and raised fears the home may close. Schools & Health: Classroom shortages are forcing some pupils to attend only two or three days a week, while hundreds remain without school placements. PAHO and local partners are training about 50 maternal and newborn health workers to improve care and health data. Regional Ties: Vice President Gregory Rusland joined Caribbean leaders in Curaçao for a summit focused on cooperation and connectivity.

Schools: Hundreds of Surinamese children are still waiting for places, while classroom shortages force some pupils to attend only two or three days a week. Child Protection: ‘s Lands Hospital has opened a center bringing medical care and counseling together for children who have experienced abuse, reducing the need for repeated, potentially traumatic interviews. Cultural Memory: Artist Angel Rose uses pink rice and archival images to explore Surinamese-Hindustani identity and memory. Indentureship History: A renewed focus on Mahatma Gandhi’s campaign against indentured labor highlights a pivotal chapter in the making of the Indian diaspora. Regional Connections: Vice President Gregory Rusland joined Curaçao’s Caribbean summit, where leaders discussed stronger cooperation and the longstanding social and cultural ties between the two countries.

Regional Ties: Vice President Gregory Rusland arrived in Curaçao for the Caribbean United in Excellence Summit, highlighting Suriname’s cultural and social links with its neighbours. Maternal Care: PAHO/WHO is training around 50 Surinamese health workers to improve maternal and newborn care through better data. Children’s Welfare: Staff at Kennedy Stichting are withholding work until overdue salaries are paid, putting care for children at the shelter at risk. ‘s Lands Hospital has opened a centre offering abused children medical care and counselling in one place, while Kinderhuis Ramoth is seeking donations to cover bills and daily essentials. Education: Classroom shortages have left some pupils attending only two or three days a week, while hundreds are still waiting for school placements. Culture & Heritage: Amsterdam-based artist Angel Rose’s pink-rice works draw on archives of Indian and Surinamese identity, connecting family memory with pop culture.

Art & Heritage: Amsterdam-based artist Angel Rose is using pink rice, family memory and archival television images to explore Surinamese-Hindustani identity. Her work is now on show in Delhi. Child Protection: ’s Lands Hospital has opened a centre bringing medical care, counselling and support for abused children under one roof, aiming to spare young survivors repeated retellings of their trauma. Education: Classroom shortages are forcing some pupils to attend only two or three days a week, while hundreds of children remain without school placements, leaving families uncertain about the year ahead. Children’s Welfare: Kinderhuis Ramoth says unpaid bills threaten its ability to provide food and essentials, and is asking the public for donations. History: A reflection on Mahatma Gandhi’s role in the campaign against indentureship revisits a pivotal chapter in the making of the Indian diaspora, including Suriname’s Hindustani community.

Education: Classroom shortages are forcing Suriname students to share rooms and attend only two or three days a week, while hundreds of children are still waiting for school placements. Parents say the recurring disruption leaves families uncertain and struggling to plan. Child Protection: ’s Lands Hospital has opened a center bringing shelter, medical care and counseling for abused children under one roof, aiming to spare young victims repeated retellings of traumatic experiences. Community Support: Kinderhuis Ramoth is asking for donations to cover unpaid bills and provide children with daily essentials. Culture: Amsterdam-based visual artist Angel Rose’s pink-rice works draw on Dutch broadcast archives to explore Surinamese-Hindustani identity, memory and the histories carried by rice.

Football: Suriname finished third in Concacaf Nations League Group B after Jamaica’s draw with Honduras left three teams level on seven points; goal difference kept Suriname out of the top two. Education: Hundreds of pupils are still waiting for school placements, leaving anxious parents unsure where their children will study or what supplies they need. Amazon Communities: Efforts to remove illegal settlements from Suriname’s rainforest remain stalled amid disputes over eviction notices and legal procedures. Regional Health: Suriname shared its community-based approach to eliminating local malaria transmission at Amazon-region talks, which also focused on Indigenous health and disease surveillance.

Football: Suriname finished third in Concacaf Nations League Group B after tying Guatemala and Jamaica on seven points; goal difference put the team behind Jamaica, whose draw with Honduras secured a quarterfinal place. Education: Hundreds of pupils are still waiting for school placements. Some parents say they cannot afford desks and chairs required for enrollment, while schools are also set to operate half-days in October because of hot weather. Rainforest Protection: Efforts to evict illegal settlers in Suriname’s Amazon are stalled amid disputed notices, ignored court orders and confusion over the legal process; lawmakers are seeking a separate investigation. Health & Livelihoods: Ninety Academic Hospital Paramaribo nurses received land allocation documents, a government measure aimed at supporting healthcare staff. Living Heritage: Organisers of Amsterdam’s Ambacht in Beeld festival invited craftspeople from Suriname and other Caribbean islands to share traditional skills with an international audience.

School Access Crisis: In Paramaribo, hundreds of parents say their children are still not enrolled despite the school year starting, leaving families waiting on the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture for placement details and supplies. Education & Labour Tensions: Education Minister Dirk Currie says unions “crossed the line” after calls for teachers to report without students on Oct. 1, despite earlier talks with unions about the new school year. Healthcare & Nursing Support: Ninety nurses at Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP) finally received land allocation documents, with officials framing it as support to help retain nursing staff. Rainforest Evictions Complications: Suriname’s task force investigating illegal Amazon settlements—often linked to Mennonite communities—faces delays as evictions prove legally tangled and settlers allegedly ignore court orders. Regional Health Cooperation: Guyana convened Amazon countries to push malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health, and disease surveillance, with Suriname sharing its community-based malaria approach. Women-Led Clean Energy: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 initiative to back women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions across the region, including Suriname. Culture & Craft Heritage: Saba Lace Ladies brought island heritage to Amsterdam’s “Ambacht in Beeld” festival, highlighting Caribbean craft traditions and inter-island connections. Economy Watch: The World Bank projects Saint Lucia growth at 1.1% for 2026, noting oil-driven expansions in Guyana and Suriname while urging better AI “absorptive capacity” for real productivity gains.

Suriname Education & Youth: Minister Dirk Currie says unions “crossed the line” after calls to keep children home on Oct. 1, insisting schools should open and urging parents and teachers to stay aligned for a better school year. Suriname Amazon Settlements: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ task force is still grappling with how to evict illegal rainforest settlers, with lawmakers questioning why court orders aren’t being followed and why removals are delayed. Suriname Health & Nursing Support: Ninety nurses at AZP finally received land allocation documents, with officials framing it as a way to retain staff and strengthen the healthcare backbone. Suriname Culture & Music: A spotlight on Suriname-born composer Majoie Hajary traces how her Paramaribo roots and Indian musical influences shaped her 1968 “Requiem pour Mahatma Gandhi.” Regional Culture & Sports (Caribbean): Youth Basketball Guyana’s U15 boys head to St. Maarten for the Paradise International Tournament, aiming for international exposure and stronger grassroots development. Gender & Media (Caribbean/Guyana focus): UNFPA urges more human-centered reporting on gender-based violence, child marriage, and adolescent pregnancy, calling for survivor-focused coverage.

Education & Unions: Suriname’s Education, Science and Culture Minister Dirk Currie says unions “crossed the line” after urging parents to keep children home on Oct. 1, despite talks with unions before the school year began. Amazon Settlements: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ task force on illegal rainforest settlements faces delays as evictions prove tangled in court orders and unclear enforcement, with calls for independent parliamentary scrutiny. Healthcare & Nursing: In Paramaribo, 90 AZP nurses received land allocation documents, with officials framing it as support to retain nursing staff. Gender-Based Violence: A mother in fear after a fifth alleged arson attack by her ex-partner says the pattern is escalating beyond property damage. Indigenous & Regional Health: Guyana convened Amazon health talks on malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health, and disease surveillance, with Suriname sharing its community-based malaria approach. Culture & Heritage: A Surinamese marching band from Rotterdam is set to perform in Europe via Uganda’s Nyege Nyege offshoot Mirror World, highlighting Caribbean and African music exchange. Arts & History: Scholarship and museum debates revisit slavery’s legacy in Dutch and Flemish art, pushing for more inclusive Black perspectives. Sports & Youth: Youth Basketball Guyana’s Under-15 boys head to St. Maarten for an international tournament aimed at regular overseas opportunities for young players.

Education Access in Suriname: The Education, Science and Culture Ministry says hundreds of students still haven’t been enrolled in temporary schools due to classroom shortages, urging parents to register so children don’t miss the start of the 2026–2027 year. Hot-Weather School Changes: With October heat expected to be extreme, state schools will close at noon for the whole month, starting Oct. 1. Nursing Support, Land Allocation: In Paramaribo, 90 nurses from AZP received land allocation documents after a long wait, with officials framing it as a way to retain healthcare staff. Gender-Based Violence Focus: UNFPA is partnering with local media to push more human-centered reporting on gender-based violence, child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and related survivor issues. Amazon Health Cooperation: Health ministers from Amazon countries met to coordinate malaria elimination, Indigenous health, culturally appropriate care, and disease surveillance, with Suriname sharing its community-based malaria approach. Cultural & Heritage Spotlight: Saba Lace Ladies brought Caribbean craft heritage to an Amsterdam festival, highlighting lace-making as living intangible culture. Community Safety Concerns: Reports of unrest linked to border and missing-person investigations keep attention on Vigilance and Buxton, with calls for clearer immigration and border security explanations.

Nursing & Community Support: In Paramaribo, 90 nurses from the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP) received land allocation documents, with officials framing it as a way to retain staff and reward healthcare workers. Education Access in Suriname: The Education Ministry says hundreds of students still aren’t enrolled in temporary schools due to classroom shortages, urging parents to register so children don’t miss the start of the year. Hot-Weather School Changes: Suriname’s schools may close at noon throughout October because of extreme heat and humidity, adjusting class times for the whole month. Amazon Health Cooperation: Guyana convened Amazon countries to push malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health, and disease surveillance; Suriname shared its community-based malaria approach. Gender & Media Focus: UNFPA is urging Guyanese media to cover gender-based violence, child marriage, and adolescent pregnancy more human-centered and survivor-focused. Avian Flu Watch: Barbados strengthened port surveillance after Suriname’s H5 bird flu outbreak, stressing no immediate threat to its poultry industry. Cultural & Heritage Spotlight: Saba Lace Ladies brought Caribbean craft heritage to an Amsterdam festival, highlighting lace traditions and other island skills. Youth & Sport: Youth Basketball Guyana’s Under-15 boys head to St. Maarten for an international tournament aimed at building regular overseas opportunities. Arts & Identity: A feature reflects on Suriname-born composer Majoie Hajary and her cross-cultural music legacy, including a work tied to Gandhi.

Education Access in Suriname: The Education, Science and Culture Ministry says 721 students were shifted to temporary schools due to classroom shortages, but only 234 are enrolled so far—leaving about 487 at risk of missing the start of the 2026–2027 school year, with officials urging parents to register. Hot-Weather School Changes: Suriname plans to close state schools at noon throughout October because of extreme heat and humidity, adjusting class times from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. Health & Culture in the Region: Guyana convened Amazon countries to push malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health, and disease surveillance, with Suriname sharing its community-based malaria approach. Women, Media & Safety: UNFPA is partnering with Guyana’s media to improve coverage of gender-based violence, child marriage, and adolescent pregnancy with survivor-centered reporting. Clean Energy for Women Entrepreneurs: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 initiative to support women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions, including Suriname. Cultural Craft Spotlight: Saba Lace Ladies brought Caribbean lace heritage to an Amsterdam craft festival, with Suriname included among the featured islands. Sports & Youth Development: Youth Basketball Guyana is sending an Under-15 team to St. Maarten for an international tournament aimed at building regular overseas opportunities.