The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID)-supported Kari Yu program is improving the lives of over 2,000 Surinamese youth and building a successful youth development model.

Kudos for the three-year Youth Development and Juvenile Justice Program came from the US Ambassador to Suriname, Edwin R. Nolan, as he joined USAID Mission Director for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Christopher Cushing, partner representatives of the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), and other distinguished Government and private sector officials on October 26, 2016, for a celebratory project close-out meeting at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Suriname.

“I would like to recognize Kari Yu staff for its commitment to the program’s success and for changing the lives of over 2,000 Surinamese youth. I believe you have succeeded in creating a model that can be replicated in Suriname and across the region. The United States Government is pleased to have been a part of this worthwhile program and remains committed to supporting youth development in Suriname in creative and impactful ways,” Ambassador Nolan underlined.

Under the Kari Yu program, basic life skills, vocational training, and job placements were provided for over 2,500 at-risk Surinamese youth. Over 730 participants were placed in jobs; 455 completed internships; 125 returned to school or took up other training opportunities, and 32 started micro-enterprises. In terms of the juvenile justice sector, a National Resocialization Plan was drafted in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Police, 30 reforms were introduced and 112 juvenile justice practitioners trained to implement these reforms and, a referral network was established to support the social and economic reintegration of youth previously in conflict with the law. Some 340 private sector companies helped provide job placements.

Dines Paulus, a Kari Yu graduate, who now works at the PPS NV security company, excelled on the job from the inception. He was thrilled to share the news of his promotion to a Premium Guard after being recommended for the specialized training.

“My company is proud of me, even my coach. My supervisor told me that I had been selected for the premium guard training. I thought, WOW! This is nice. One step higher. In the end, I succeeded and received this big golden badge you can see on my uniform. I was really happy,” he proudly stated. “I want a good future, to save money, and to buy a piece of land.”

Delphine Dewman, another Kari Yu graduate, was equally ecstatic about her progress over the past eight months working as a Janitor at Alipro Company. “I am contributing to the company and I am friendly with my colleagues. In the future I would like to take up computer studies and grow within the company,” she said.

In addressing the forum, Kari Yu Program Director, Carlo Arze, declared: “If there are any champions, it is the 340 companies which opened the doors and gave these youth a chance. It’s been an absolute pleasure to watch youth go through the program and take ownership of their lives. These trainings have empowered so many young people to reach their goals, while offering tools and encouragement along the way. Now, the future is in their hands.”

In addition to working with at-risk youth, and those in conflict with the law, the Kari Yu program offered a basic life skills training to 320 students at six junior secondary schools. As a result of the initiative, 30% of participants improved their communications, 20% gained self-confidence, and 20 -25 % were less violent. There is hope that the program expand throughout the educational system.

During the close out event, the PADF presented key program results and led a discussion on the future of youth development and youth employment initiatives in Suriname, which attracted enthusiastic participation from the Government and civil society partners in attendance.