Since 2002 a partnership between Domburg and Boto-Pasi tries to build bridges between the Maroons of Boto-Pasi (Saramaccaners) and the coast people of Domburg. Both communities are situated at the Suriname river. But the inhabitants are living in two different worlds.
In April 2010 pupils from the 6th class of OS Domburg visited their classmates in Boto-Pasi for 4 days. Getting there by bus and boat was already an adventure. 35 children and 23 adults (teachers, parents and guests) had to been transported together with food on muddy roads and dangerous cataracts deep in the amazone jungle to the tribal area of the Saramaccan Maroons, proud descendants of runaway slaves who fought for their freedom against the Dutch colonial power. They were the first free Surinamers more than 100 years before slavery was abolished. Today they have to fight again for their landrights against the successor of Dutch colonialism, the Surinamese state. By selling timber, gold and bauxite concessions on Saramaccan territory to international companies, business people from the coast area and Brazilian gold diggers the government destroys the livelihood of the Saramaccans and other Maroon tribes. The bad educational system in the interior is depriving the Maroons of the opportunity to get employment at home and in Paramaribo.
They feel themselves as second class citizens. A dangerous situation for the young state Suriname. The people from Domburg try to give a good example for a better coexistence.
"We are visiting our family in Boto-Pasi", they joke .... In this video you will see: this is really true.
In April 2010 pupils from the 6th class of OS Domburg visited their classmates in Boto-Pasi for 4 days. Getting there by bus and boat was already an adventure. 35 children and 23 adults (teachers, parents and guests) had to been transported together with food on muddy roads and dangerous cataracts deep in the amazone jungle to the tribal area of the Saramaccan Maroons, proud descendants of runaway slaves who fought for their freedom against the Dutch colonial power. They were the first free Surinamers more than 100 years before slavery was abolished. Today they have to fight again for their landrights against the successor of Dutch colonialism, the Surinamese state. By selling timber, gold and bauxite concessions on Saramaccan territory to international companies, business people from the coast area and Brazilian gold diggers the government destroys the livelihood of the Saramaccans and other Maroon tribes. The bad educational system in the interior is depriving the Maroons of the opportunity to get employment at home and in Paramaribo.
They feel themselves as second class citizens. A dangerous situation for the young state Suriname. The people from Domburg try to give a good example for a better coexistence.
"We are visiting our family in Boto-Pasi", they joke .... In this video you will see: this is really true.
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