Suriname - Plans for Centennial Celebrations

The Centennial and Blood Donations

Suriname marked both the PAHO centennial and the 100th voluntary blood donation of Andre Cooman, a Suriname citizen who begun living blood in 1956 and continued to do so for 46 years. In a November 6 ceremony, President of Suriname Ronaldo Venetiaan named Cooman Commander in the Order of the Yellow Star, the country's highest civilian decoration.

Suriname celebrates the centennial year with healthy activities!

On Sunday June 23, 2002, about 300 people participated on the "Move for Health" Aerobathon. The event took place in the Anthony Nesty Indoor Stadium and was organized by Ruben Schurman of Sportclub Body Heat in cooperation with the Pan American Health Organization. The Aerobathon began at 6:00 p.m. with two warms up rap songs, followed by three different kinds of aerobic exercises, Tae Bo, Steps and High Impact. Seven aerobic instructors of different sports- and- fitness schools of Paramaribo conducted the aerobic exercises. The admission was free, but participants were invited to make a donation. Before the end of the evening Dr. Carol Vlassoff, PAHO representative in Suriname, was actually able to hand over the targeted amount of Sfl 1,000,000 (Our centennial target was: 10 x 100 people contribute 10 x Sf 100) to Ms. Radhakisun of "Lotjeshuis Foundation", a shelter for neglected and malnourished infants.

The day before the Suriname Olympic Committee, in collaboration with PAHO organized an Olympic Day Run. Below, photos from these events:

Initiative to create 100 "Smoke Free Schools"

In Suriname, Dr. Alleyne and the Minister of Education launched a joint initiative for "100 Smoke Free Schools," a program that encourages 100 schools to adopt a smoke free environment policy for teachers and students. Mrs. Cynthia McLeod, Suriname's Champion of Health, is helping 100 elderly people improve their health through surgery and other necessary interventions, and the inter-religious committee will train 100 community health promoters. Proposed activities in Suriname include 100-meter swimming events and the charting, by PAHO staff members, of every 100 calories burned through physical exercise.

Other developments:

Suriname launched the Centennial Celebrations!!

The launch was held at COVAB, a nursing school and began with an AIDS walk on December 1, 2001, followed by an aerobathon. On December 2, 2001, the celebration focused on healthy lifestyles. Two PAHO songs - one rap and one bubbling (rap to reggae music) - were presented, aerobics presentations and a mini-workout for the participants were also included. They also announced the Public Health Heroes and Champions of Health. It ended with a wide selection of cut fruit and juices.

A Centennial Advisory Committee (C.A.C.) has been established and has met. The committee includes 11 members and at the first meeting the committee suggested that a representative of the Ministry of Education be included. Currently working on finalizing plans for activities such as:

• Guidelines, deadlines, and criteria for national essay, poster, and journalism competitions
• Selection of Public Health Heroes and Champions of Health
• Samples of possible centennial branded material (stamps, t-shirts, coins, publications, etc)
• First draft of publication about the history of public health in Suriname
• Program of events for 2 December 2002
• Detailed proposal for other Centennial events and projects
• Preparation of a manual for further implementation of activities (including cost estimates, budget, and sponsorship)
• Promotion of heroes and champions
• Organize a large sports events (for young, old, and other people)
• Plan to raise awareness in the community about PAHO, looking at past 100 years, and plans for the next millennium
• Fundraising activities
• Detailed program for events to take place on 2 December 2002 such as: protocol lists, invitations, speakers, FDC's stamps, coins-possible have a sports event in the morning, and a reception in the evening, also an open house with exhibition and a dinner/awards ceremony
• Reporting on activities: 2 December 2002 - 2 March 2003
• Last meeting of the C.A.C.: 2 March 2003
  

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