2012

The Board

Local President

Rajiv Yudistira Furlen Hieralal: Pioneering Leadership and Lasting Impact

Looking back more than a decade, Rajiv Yudistira Furlen Hieralal remembers his time as JCI Urban’s Local President in 2012 as “an incredibly honorable adventure.” At the time, he was driven by a strong desire to bring positive change to his community—and especially to extend the transformative opportunities of JCI beyond Paramaribo. “I saw it as a much-needed step forward,” he reflects, “to share JCI’s powerful leadership platform with those outside the capital.”

Rajiv stepped into a unique challenge: in his first year as a member, he also served as Local President. “I was more president than member,” he shares with a smile. That dual role pushed him to grow rapidly, teaching him patience, how to coach new board members, and how to deal with setbacks—including team members stepping down. “My biggest lesson? Stepping out of my comfort zone.”

One moment that stands out as a masterclass in courage and communication was during the “Let’s Beat Dengue” campaign. “I found myself ringing strangers’ doorbells in the midday heat, explaining our project. That was a crash course in persuasion, and in connecting with people.”

While Rajiv has many notable achievements under his belt—including being named Best Local President 2012, organizing the Suriname Leadership Academy in 2015 with over 100 participants, and even being elected as a JCI Vice President internationally—it wasn’t the titles that left the deepest mark. “The moment that truly stayed with me,” he says, “was the overwhelming turnout for our Let’s Beat Dengue project. A small, determined group of volunteers mobilized an entire neighborhood. That showed me the true power of community—how a few committed people can create real, visible change.”

To those considering joining or stepping up within JCI, Rajiv offers heartfelt advice:
“You’ll make countless choices in life. One choice I’ve never regretted is becoming—and staying—active in JCI. Whatever path you choose, make sure it adds value. Choose impact that lasts for generations.”

#KoniKrakti

Rajiv Yudistira Furlen Hieralal’s journey represents the courage to lead from day one, the power of grassroots action, and the lasting impact of stepping beyond your comfort zone to serve your community.

Xaviera L. Arnhem
Local Secretary

Suzanne Essed
Local Treasurer

The Theme

Focusing on the Active Citizens Framework (ACF) and launching a new chapter, the chosen theme "Young Active Citizens in Action" served as the foundation for JCI Urban's efforts. This theme was essential for both introducing the organization to the community and engaging members in meaningful activities that aligned with JCI's core values of community development, leadership, and active citizenship.

Popular projects

Let’s Beat Dengue

Let’s Beat Dengue was JCI Urban’s first major community project, launched in 2012 in response to the rising number of dengue cases in Lelydorp, Wanica—one of the country's high-risk areas identified by the Bureau of Public Health (BOG). In collaboration with the national Clean Up the World campaign and supported by PAHO, the initiative aimed to raise awareness and eliminate breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes. Despite having just 50 days for planning and execution, the project team visited over 80 households, educated residents on dengue prevention, and gathered valuable data. The project was led by Jency Kasandikromo (Chairman) and Manusama Sarmo (2nd Chairman), who, along with a small team, coordinated the entire operation.

The campaign culminated in a massive cleanup operation on September 14–15, 2012. Together with local residents and volunteers, JCI Urban collected 18 truckloads of bulky waste—including old tires, appliances, and metal scraps—removing potential mosquito breeding sites. Despite limited manpower, the cleanup was a success and received recognition from the CUTW organization for its structured execution and impactful mobilization. Educational materials, including a simple mosquito trap design, were created by Local President Rajiv Hieralal, and volunteers were trained beforehand to support the community outreach.

This project not only addressed a critical public health issue but also introduced JCI Urban as a capable and community-driven youth organization. It empowered young people to lead change, modeled the JCI Creed and mission in action, and laid the foundation for continued local engagement. The success of Let’s Beat Dengue set the tone for JCI Urban’s future projects and demonstrated the power of grassroots solutions to national challenges.

Starnieuws Article: JCI Urban campaign picks up 18 trucks of garbage in Lelydorp

Other Highlights

National Convention

At the national convention, JCI Urban made a remarkable impact, taking home four prestigious awards. The chapter was recognized for its dynamic leadership, with the following awards:

Most Outstanding Local President 2012
Best Local Growth & Development Program 2012 – Let’s Beat Dengue
Best United Nation Millennium Development Goals Program – Let’s Beat Dengue
Most Outstanding New Local Organization 2012, marking the chapter’s successful debut year.

Membership & Extension Drive

The first Membership and Extension (M&E) Drive training was held on June 20, 22, and 23, 2012. This series of sessions was designed for observers (potential members) and served as a key requirement before becoming an official member of JCI Urban.

The training covered essential topics such as presentation techniques, effective meeting strategies, parliamentary procedures, and the Active Citizen Framework. Trainers included experienced leaders like Senator Ray Jong A Lock and National President Marciano Lie A Jong.

A total of 25 potential members participated in the training, and 20 successfully completed the full program.