Suriname Awakens: A Future Without Waste Blossoms at the Reparador de Sueños Educational Center

In the heart of Paramaribo, at the welcoming Educational Center Reparador de Sueños (Dream Repairer), a spark of hope is igniting environmental awareness among a vibrant and diverse community: the children of migrants who have found a new home in Suriname. Under the inspiring motto “Suriname: A Future Without Waste,” we’ve been conducting transformative workshops focused on climate justice and the urgent problem of waste in our beautiful country. Through participatory education and boundless creativity, we’ve witnessed young minds become agents of change, literally building a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The Power of Awareness: Workshops on Climate Justice and Waste

Our workshops were designed to go beyond simple information. We aimed to connect these young people with the reality of waste pollution in Suriname, exploring its impacts on the environment, health, and social justice. We talked about the life cycle of waste, the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, and how our individual actions can have a significant collective impact. Climate justice was woven into every conversation, highlighting how poor waste management disproportionately affects the most vulnerable communities and contributes to global climate change.

Hands-On: The Magic of Sustainable Models

Theory came to life when hands got to work. The highlight of our workshops was the creation of innovative models, where participants could express their understanding of the pollution problem and its potential solutions. The directive was clear: use creativity and, fundamentally, recycled materials to represent the importance of addressing waste in our environment.

It was astonishing to witness the overflowing imagination of these young people. Cardboard, plastic bottles, fabric scraps, bottle caps, newspaper… everything took on new life in their hands. We saw representations of ecosystems threatened by waste accumulation, futuristic cities with efficient waste management systems, and impactful visual campaigns to encourage recycling in the community.

An Inspiring Competition: Celebrating Creativity and Commitment

To celebrate the participants’ hard work and dedication, we organized an exciting model competition. A panel of “judges” (composed of community members and workshop facilitators) had the difficult task of evaluating each creation based on criteria such as:

• Creativity and Originality: How innovative and unique was the idea presented?

• Use of Recycled Materials: How effectively and meaningfully were recycled materials integrated into the model?

• Representation of the Problem and Solution: How clear was the representation of pollution’s impact and the proposed solution?

• Message and Awareness: How powerful was the message conveyed by the model regarding the importance of a future without waste?

The energy at the Educational Center was palpable as each group proudly presented their model, explaining their ideas and the creation process. The discussions were enriching, full of questions and reflections on how we can implement real solutions in our lives and in our community.

The Three Winners: Seeds of a Sustainable Future

After careful deliberation, the three winning teams were announced. Their models stood out for their ingenuity, their deep understanding of the problem, and their creative use of recycled materials. But beyond the prizes, what we truly celebrated was the awakening of a collective consciousness and the commitment of these young people to become ambassadors for a waste-free future in Suriname.

Conclusion: A Path Full of Hope

The experience at the Educational Center Reparador de Sueños under the motto “Suriname: A Future Without Waste” has been profoundly inspiring. Seeing these young people, children of migrants who have embraced Suriname as their home, take the initiative and propose creative solutions for a crucial environmental challenge fills us with hope.

This is just the beginning of a journey that requires continuous commitment from everyone. We invite the community, organizations, and authorities to join this movement for a cleaner and more just Suriname. Together, we can sow the seeds of a future where waste is a thing of the past and harmony with our planet is a reality for generations to come.

Let’s continue building a waste-free future for Suriname, together!