Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 South Dakota National Guard and Suriname Armed Forces partner to renovate school By 1st Lt. Chad Carlson
                South Dakota National Guard
 PARAMARIBO, Suriname, - Soldiers from the South Dakota National Guard and members of Suriname's Armed Forces partnered together to renovate some of the infrastructure at the O.S. 1 Santo Dorp School in Wanica, Suriname, Aug. 8-16. The renovation project was conducted as part of the Suriname and South Dakota State Partnership Program to provide training for military construction personnel while simultaneously assisting in a worthy community need. “Similar to other Armed Forces around the world, Suriname’s Armed Forces are engaged in humanitarian projects and is expanding its responsibilities concerning our national development,” said Lt. Col. Johnny Antonius, Suriname Ministry of Defense head of strategic planning and education. “In this respect, collaboration with the South Dakota National Guard on this particular project is of utmost importance. This form of collaboration is a win-win situation on many levels.” A team of eight Soldiers from the SDNG’s 155th Engineer Company and 211th Engineer Company worked alongside about a dozen Suriname Defense Force engineers on the renovation. Renovations consisted of tiling, door construction and installation, painting, electrical and lighting installation, sink and toilet installation, waterline plumbing, septic tank venting, drainage installation and installing a boundary fence. “The experience created a ton of training for all of us across the board,” said Warrant Officer Brandon Voss, project officer in charge of the SDNG team. “We not only had to deal with language barriers, we had to overcome different building techniques and building material. Working with the SDF helped us practice communication and compromising skills. It was a great opportunity in planning, organizing and working with the SDF and the Suriname people.” The renovations will not only create a better learning and teaching environment, but the Surinamese soldiers and the members of the SDNG will know that their effort and hard work has made our children very happy and will set conditions for them to enjoy going to school, Antonius said. “Furthermore, Surinamese soldiers and members of the SDNG learn from each other on how they both conduct certain work related tasks and more importantly they work together as a team,” Antonius said.  “After all, that is what the partnership is all about ‘team work.’” Santo Dorp’s principal, Sharmila Darsan, said the school is like a completely new environment and she is grateful to all who worked on the project. “A pleasant learning environment is always good for the children,” Darsan said. “It helps with better attitudes, higher grades and it motivates.” Darsan said the fence and gates also makes the children feel safe and will keep strangers from wandering into the school yard. The project first began in March, when SDNG and Suriname soldiers specializing in construction visited 14 public schools accompanied by representatives from the Suriname Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education chose the Santo Dorp School, which serves approximately 850 students from the local area. Pvt. Dominic Paulson, of the 155th, said he was pleased to work on the project, which gave him a satisfied feeling knowing he can contribute to a better school and learning environment for the children. “I was very happy to work on the bathrooms and complete the fence,” Paulson said. “It was a joy to see the young kids’ faces having new plumbing fixtures for washing their hands and a fence to help keep them safe.” Funding for the project was provided by U.S. Southern Command and all materials and supplies were purchased in Suriname. For the past 10 years, the SDNG and SDF have successfully partnered together to established a security cooperation relationship in coordination with USSOUTHCOM under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. The partnership has flourished during the past decade becoming a model for mutual security cooperation. “The partnership between the Republic of Suriname and South Dakota has proven to be an example for all State Partnership Programs that the Unites States conducts with countries around the world,” Antonius said. “I am convinced that both Suriname and South Dakota will do their utmost to maintain this kind of partnership and bring it to an even higher level.” Since 2006, Soldiers from both countries have conducted over 100 subject matter exchanges through the program, which have benefitted men and women from both organizations to gain knowledge and experience in both military operations and civilian culture. “I have never been to Suriname before, or even outside of the U.S.,” said Pfc. Logan Foster, of the 155th. “I would definitely take the opportunity to come back to Suriname. It was a great experience!” Suriname and the SDNG conduct about 10 subject matter expert exchanges a year on a variety of military related topics to include: field leadership and NCO development; logistics operations; military police procedures; medical and communications training; and women serving in the military, to name a few. The renovation project at Santo Dorp is just one of several construction projects that the partner nations have completed at schools and clinics throughout Suriname in the past 10 years. “It’s important to mention that the Republic of Suriname is not neglecting its duty of creating conditions for a good learning environment for our children,” Antonius said. “Although we are going through some difficult times, due to the current economic crisis, we are doing our best to commit to our responsibilities. “Nevertheless, the SDNG has proven to be good and trustworthy partner who is willing to assist Suriname in various humanitarian projects such as this one,” Antonius added. “We hope similar projects will be conducted throughout the next 10 years, since the schools, Surinamese soldiers and members of the SDNG look forward to these kind of activities.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 NY Army Guard Band Performs for Netherlands King and Queen
 By Eric Durr,
  Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Caila Arahood and Senior Airman Victoria Coursey,
  Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise
 By Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier,
  More
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • 10 hours ago
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • 12 hours ago
 National Guard, US Army North, FEMA Train for Hurricane Response Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Cal Air Guard F-15 Pilots Train with Marine Corps F-35 Pilots Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 3 days ago
 2024 (193)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil