A New Partnership in Suriname

In the remote forests of Suriname, ACT is collaborating with students from the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands), the Anton de Kom University (Suriname) and Suriname’s Institute for Natural resources to protect biodiversity in Trio and Wayana lands. Through this partnership, both students and ACT’s Indigenous Park Guards (IPGs) will gain important skills.

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Colombia’s Yunguillo Indigenous Reserve Quintupled in Size

On May 5, 2015, ACT and its indigenous partners celebrated a historic event for the Colombian indigenous movement. After 20 years of diligent work, the Yunguillo Indigenous Reserve—an area of extraordinary cultural and environmental importance—expands from 10,675 to 55,341 acres (more than 85 square miles). Read the press release to learn more about ACT’s work in this area, as well as why this territory is so critical.

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Like Home

During the evenings at the Children’s Book Festival, many visitors came by the ACT booth to buy books and arts and crafts and to learn more about our programs. Among these visitors was a group from the Maria Boarding School—an institution that serves indigenous students who have recently arrived in the capital city from villages in South Suriname. These young people come to the capital to further their studies, because this opportunity does not exist in their villages.

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Every Book 100 Times

Every year, ACT runs a booth in Suriname’s annual children’s book festival in the capital city of Paramaribo. During the festival, ACT representatives share more about our youth-oriented publications that emphasize natural conservation. These include the Junior Park Ranger series and “De Leerling van de Sjamaan” (The Shaman’s Apprentice).

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"Napopha"

March 27, 2015: By the final day of the Children’s Book Festival in Paramaribo, approximately 900 students had made virtual journeys to Suriname’s deep rainforest interior with ACT.

The Trio word “napopha,” meaning “thank you,” was frequently heard at the ACT booth, especially toward the traditional knowledge-keeper and healer Wuta from the indigenous village of Kwamalasamutu. ACT flew Wuta, an active participants in the Shamans and Apprentices Program, to Paramaribo to participate in the festival.

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