Grants

Donation amout: EUR 20,000 

• EUR 10.000 on 26-01-2015

• EUR 10.000 on 02-04-2015

Country: Suriname
Organisation: Stichting d’ONS

The d’ONS Foundation stands for sustainable development in Suriname. d’ONS connects project requests in the field of sustainable development to knowledge and experience in the Netherlands. Ecotourism, water, sustainable products, forestry and sustainable energy sectors have been identified by d’ONS as potential sectors for sustainable development. The d’ONS Foundation is at the heart of the Dutch and Surinamese society. Via internships, d’ONS enables students to learn and participate with life in Suriname. In that context, the foundation has since the beginning of September 2011 become a recognized work placement company for HBO and MBO students.

Background

d'ONS has been established in 2006. Since 2007, it has been consistently organizing seminars and workshops for the eco-tourism, solar energy, fruit farming, water (gold mining) and forestry sectors. From 2008 the foundation also carries out concrete projects with partners from the Netherlands and Suriname.

In March 2015 the d’ONS and the country's Forest Management (LBB) from Suriname, launched a pilot project for volunteers, in addition to the regular game wardens, to protect the sea turtles on the beach of the vulnerable Matapica Wetlands. For years this saw large-scale robbery of turtle eggs in the area for commercial fishing and consumption. In the past 20 years the number of adult females to estimate to less than 30,000. During the pilot, 30 volunteers signed up for training to assistant game wardens.  They have performed their tasks with great enthusiasm.

With the arrival of the students, supervision management needed improval. Permanent physical presence of staff was needed; therefore, a digital Volunteer Centre for 2015-2020 was essential. A master project at the Anton de Kom University (ADEK) started to provide permanent volunteers, who helped to provide additional management of the vulnerable Matapica area. An awareness campaign with an elementary school in Matapica area made clear to the community, that eggs robbery and consumption of turtle eggs are by no means ways to earn honest money.