On June 15, 2026, the Green Heritage Fund Suriname (GHFS), under the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project, hosted an awareness activity at Villa Zapakara on Prins Hendrikstraat, Paramaribo, engaging pupils from the Kathedrale Koorschool, part of the School for Young Talent. The event aimed to build early awareness of plastic pollution among young students, while also providing a practical, on-the-ground solution to help the school better manage waste on its grounds.

 

The activity brought together approximately 20 participants, including four members of the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment, the director of Villa Zapakara, two teachers, and 10 to 13 pupils, alongside the GHFS team. The morning began with a short, age-appropriate information session introducing students to the basics of plastic and plastic pollution, helping them understand how everyday plastic waste can affect the environment and their community.

 

Following the presentation, pupils took part in a hands-on arts and crafts activity, creating jellyfish out of used plastic bottles. The creative exercise offered a fun, memorable way for students to connect classroom learning with real-world environmental action, reinforcing key messages about reusing plastic materials rather than discarding them as waste.

 

The event concluded with the official handover of a 1,100-liter waste container to the school. The donation directly addresses the school's need for improved waste management infrastructure, helping to reduce litter accumulation on school grounds while supporting PROMAR's broader goal of preventing marine litter and promoting responsible waste disposal habits from an early age.

 

By combining environmental education with a tangible, practical resource, the Villa Zapakara Awareness Activity reflects PROMAR Suriname's ongoing commitment to engaging young people in the fight against plastic pollution. Through creative, hands-on learning experiences and meaningful community support, initiatives like this help build lasting environmental awareness and encourage the next generation of students in Suriname to become active stewards of their environment.