We have been in Suriname for some six days now, and it has turned out to be very interesting and very enlightening. This is a very diverse country. Trinidad, where we stayed on the way here, is only 2000 sq. miles, but has more plant diversity than all of north america. Just imagine--Suriname is the size of Georgia--the diversity and wealth of knowledge here is invaluable. Jerry and Phil have also been amazed at the number and variety of birds here. Perhaps the most interesting aspect, however, is the diversity of people. Just in Paramaribo, the main city, there are African, Chinese, Indonesian, Javanese, Indian, Dutch, and many others--not to mention the various cultures of the interior. There are Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and still others; the mosque and the synagogue are literally side-by-side. And, there is very little conflict. The people here are exceptionally tolerant. It is very encouraging to see that when children grow up in a diverse environment there truly can be harmony.
Not that Suriname is idyllic or perfect--there are many problems here. There is poverty, and as a result there is crime. Every building in the city is caged in rebar and padlocked.
The situation outside the city, in smaller villages such as Domberg (Dirk's home) is again very different. There the houses are all open; some do not even have windows or doors, much less locked gates. The people share what they have. It is interesting that these people, who arugably have less in terms of material goods, seem to be more willing to give. As renowned botanist and shaman Fritz van Troon told us, they "have good memory." They recognize that life is non-zero-sum, that by giving a little now, they can gain overall.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult in a third-world, hand-to-mouth culture to work on such seemingly esoteric goals as environmental quality and education reform. Maslow's priority of needs applies; if people's basic physical needs are not met, they simply cannot ignore those needs to focus on the environment. My concern, and the paradox, is that if they cannot find a way to educate their people and preserve the environment, in the long term their poverty will only increase.
On a lighter note--we have been conducting our Investigating Environmental Issues workshop with about 20 teachers here in the city, and it is going very well. I have been meeting w/ other botanists--Dr. Hanny van de Lande, Dr. Dorothy Traag, and shaman Fritz van Troon (Uncle Fritz)--and they have all been very knowledgable and very helpful. We have been twice to Dirk's village and had huge dinners with his family and their friends; last night we even attended his sister Bridget's birthday party. And, this weekend we will be edging into the interior to visit Tonka Island and the Brownberg nature reserve. Those that know me know that I am very excited to be getting out of the city and into the jungle!
Hope this message finds you all doing well. Please feel free to send your messages and comments our way! Peace.
--Kelly