2013

The Board

Local President

Rick Soedamah

Camille Essed
Local Secretary

Maikel Tjoe Ny
Local Vice President

Vishal Boedhoe
Local Treasurer

The Theme

Building on the strong foundation laid in 2012 with the theme "Young Active Citizens in Action," the 2013 theme focused on long-term growth and sustainability. "Urban, Planting the Seeds for the Future" emphasized nurturing the values of active citizenship, leadership, and community service introduced the previous year, while looking ahead to the future of JCI Urban.

The theme symbolized a commitment to investing in people, projects, and partnerships that would strengthen the organization over time. Just like planting seeds requires care, patience, and vision, JCI Urban focused on cultivating a strong membership base, empowering new leaders, and initiating impactful projects that would bear fruit for future generations. It was a year of consolidation, growth, and preparing the ground for a lasting legacy.

Popular Projects

Health Walk & Health Fair 2013

On Saturday, July 27, 2013, JCI Urban hosted the Urban Health Walk & Mini Health Fair at the Lelydorp Sportbond, bringing together over 150 participants from the local community. The event was organized by Sarida Pirbux and Xaviera L. Arnhem, with the objective of promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about heart health under the theme “A Healthy Lifestyle for a Healthy Heart.”

Participants kicked off the day with a Zumba warm-up led by B-Fit by Bernadette Agbulos, followed by a community walk through Lelydorp. Each participant received a custom event T-shirt, and the lively program was hosted by MC Jurmic Partodongso.

After the walk, attendees explored the Mini Health Fair, featuring booths from:

Suriname Red Cross
Opticien All Vision
My Lab
Life Balance
Physical Therapists
Healthy Food Corner

The goal for the Mini Health Fair was to create a chain of health experts who are flawlessly matched.

The event was made possible through support from partners including All Vision Lelydorp, Hakrinbank, Dasani, and Arti’s Printing & Design. It was also promoted on national television via STVS’s "Mmanteng Taki" by Xaviera L. Arnhem and Local President Ricky Soedamah.

This was a highly successful project that left a lasting impact on the Lelydorp community. It not only brought people together in the spirit of health and wellness, but also raised much-needed awareness about the importance of preventative care. The positive feedback and high turnout confirmed the community’s desire for more initiatives like this, paving the way for future health-focused programs.

Other Highlights

Pasta Night fundraising event

On Saturday, April 27, 2013, JCI Urban hosted a Pasta Night fundraising event at the restaurant of the Neotropical Butterfly Park in Lelydorp. The primary objective of the event was to raise funds to support and finance future community projects.

The evening was led by dedicated Urbanites who offered a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Guests could purchase vouchers for SRD 100, which included a main course pasta with a choice of chicken, shrimp, or vegetarian, along with a delicious dessert ‘Urban Chocolate Surprise’

The food was freshly prepared by Urban chefs VP Maikel Tjoe Ny and Raoul Lith. The bar was managed by Jurn Kolader and Jency Kasandikromo, while Xaviera L. Arnhem and Sarida Pirbux ensured smooth seating arrangements for the guests.

A special highlight of the evening was the attendance of Assigned JCI Vice President Víctor Machín, who was treated to a guided tour of the Neotropical Butterfly Park. The park is known for breeding various native Surinamese butterflies for export and offers educational tours that showcase the life cycle of butterflies, from egg to full-grown beauty.

With a total of 36 visitors, the event was considered a successful fundraiser, achieving its goals and creating a memorable experience for all attendees.

National Convention

During the National Convention, JCI Urban proudly took home two prestigious awards, further solidifying its impact and commitment to active citizenship. The chapter received the Best Local Community Empowerment Program award for the successful execution of the Health Walk & Health Fair, a project that combined education, wellness, and community engagement in an accessible and impactful way.

In addition, JCI Urban was honored with the Best Speaker award for Rayen Bhajan, showcasing the chapter’s dedication to developing strong communication and leadership skills among its members. These recognitions not only celebrated the hard work and vision behind the projects but also highlighted JCI Urban’s growing role in shaping healthier, more informed communities through sustainable and inspiring initiatives.