Other youths explained that they support the government initiative because they want to help clean Suriname. Another participant told Times of Suriname that “I will use the money I earn to buy school supplies.” Last Tuesday, the president visited Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat to lend a helping hand to these youths.

 The Krin Kondre Project is an annual summer program of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, designed to provide summer jobs to the nation’s youths. This year officials opted for a new concept that invites youths aged 16 to 21 to contribute to cleaning up their surroundings. Youth Development Minister Lalinie Gopal explained that the program is also intended to teach an important lesson. “With this initiative we want to show the youths that good habits must start early. All the little actions can make a big difference in the long run,” said Minister Gopal, who added that the youths praise the project. “The youths tell us that they enjoy making a contribution at a young age. That is the message we want to spread: love your country so that more tourists will come to Suriname.”

 Minister Gopal noted that the project was frozen for many years, but the current administration has given it new life. Public Works Minister Stephen Tsang, who also praised the Krin Kondre Project, emphasized the importance of raising awareness among the nation’s youths to change their mentality.

 “It is regrettable that previous generations did not maintain this effort, because now you see people dumping their waste on the streets. If we had been taught this at an early age, we would not have this problem today,” said Minister Tsang, adding that keeping the country clean also boosts economic development. “Tourism can blossom when you have a beautiful and clean country. We also hope that our gutters will no longer be filled with plastic bottles and bags. We have to start somewhere, and this is a good start.”