PARAMARIBO – From 20 to 28 August 2018, Soldiers from the United States South Dakota Army National Guard and from the Suriname Army worked together to renovate some of the infrastructure at the O.S. Raka Raka in Paramaribo. This primary school serves approximately 400 students from the local area.
This project is made possible through funding from the United States Southern Command in Miami, FL. All construction supplies were purchased in Suriname. Building Deport supported this project by donating the delivery costs for the materiel purchased.
Since June 2006, the South Dakota National Guard and the Suriname Defense Force have partnered to conduct numerous Subject Matter Exchanges which have benefitted men and women from both organizations. The O.S. Raka Raka project is an example of the ongoing cooperation between the U.S. and Surinamese militaries. Most recently in August 2017, the South Dakota National Guard and the Suriname Army worked together to renovate portions of the O.S. Majosteeg.
Beginning in March 2016, South Dakota National Guard and the Suriname Army soldiers, who specialize in construction, visited 10 public schools accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education chose the Raka Raka School, and the soldiers have together planned how they will conduct the project. The scope of the project consists of installing plumbing, repairing bathrooms, installing in tiles, improving the drainage system, and building a second bathroom for the younger children.
U.S. Ambassador Edwin R. Nolan will tour the O.S. Raka Raka renovation project on Tuesday, 28 August 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Also present will be representatives of the Surinamese military, the South Dakota National Guard, and school staff. Media are invited to attend.
For more information about the South Dakota Nation Guard: www.sd.ng.mil
