2014

The Board

Local President

Maikel Tjoe Ny — A Year of Leadership, Growth & Gratitude

In 2014, Maikel Tjoe Ny stepped into the role of Local President of JCI Urban—a position that, while demanding, offered him a year filled with growth, connection, and meaningful impact. Looking back, he describes the experience as “a year of taking responsibility for the leadership role that comes with its own set of challenges,” but also as one rich with opportunity, learning, and collaboration.

What stood out most to Maikel was the collective effort it took to lead successfully. “I am forever grateful for the support given by my board, and the Urban fellows,” he shared. “Without them, there would be no leadership experience and also no accomplishments.” Under his leadership, the chapter brought health-driven projects to life—most notably, the 2014 JCI Urban Health Fair, the first of its kind to be held in Lelydorp. “That day was my most memorable moment,” Maikel recalled proudly. “It brought together the full Active Citizen Framework in action.”

Beyond the projects and accomplishments, the year left a lasting impact on Maikel personally. His time with JCI Urban taught him about the power of people—how to recognize strengths, empower others, and navigate diverse personalities with empathy and vision. “It made me stronger in a way that I now know how to work harmoniously toward shared goals,” he said.

Ten years later, the memories of that chapter remain fresh and fulfilling. “I had a lot of fun,” he smiled. “Looking back, I’m still enjoying the good moments of achievement from that year.”

To current and future members of JCI Urban, Maikel offers a powerful reminder:
“Believe in yourself—that you can do great things. Everyone has that power to make it great. Learn what challenges you and what drives you. Listen, talk, and most of all, do great things together with joy.”

His journey represents the power of collaborative leadership, personal growth through challenges, and the joy of creating lasting impact in the community.

Sarida Pirbux
Local Secretary

Rayen Bhajan
Local Vice President

Robert Sjiem-Fat
Local Vice President

Larissa Bardan
Local Treasurer

The Theme

The 2014 theme "Nurturing the Seedlings for Growth" symbolized JCI Urban's commitment to cultivating the potential that had taken root in its early years. With the foundation laid and seeds planted, it was time to care for the emerging leaders, ideas, and partnerships that had begun to sprout. This theme reflected a year of mentorship, structured member development, and thoughtful project execution. JCI Urban focused on creating a supportive environment where new members could thrive, initiatives could deepen their community impact, and the values of active citizenship could truly take hold. Just like young seedlings need consistent attention and the right conditions to grow strong, JCI Urban continued to build a sustainable chapter by investing in people, strengthening internal processes, and fostering long-term community relationships.

Popular Projects

Elementary Farming - Project Greenhouse for Siswatama

In 2013, many children in Suriname still went to school on an empty stomach due to financial hardship. JCI Urban responded with a project aimed not only at providing healthy food, but also at teaching children simple, fun, and affordable methods of organic farming within their schools. The goal was to encourage sustainability by equipping students with knowledge and skills they could apply at home, ultimately contributing to long-term food security and economic empowerment.

This initiative aligned with every pillar of the JCI Active Citizen Framework (ACF): it supported education and economic empowerment by teaching self-sufficiency and useful agricultural skills; promoted health and wellness through access to nutritious, organically grown crops; and fostered environmental sustainability through responsible farming practices. By involving children in outdoor cultivation activities, the project also encouraged healthier lifestyles away from sedentary habits like excessive screen time.

In the same year, JCI Urban won the JCI Syma Quiz, playing on behalf of Siswatama, a hostel for teenage girls. Upon visiting to deliver the prize, the team identified a deeper need—access to healthy food. Applying the ACF once more, JCI Urban partnered with greenhouse farming experts to build a sustainable greenhouse on-site at Siswatama. This initiative reduced food costs, improved nutrition, and taught the girls valuable agricultural skills. Officially unveiled by JCI World President Shine Bhaskaran on April 28, 2014, this project—led by committee members Jurn Kolader, Samuel Jabini, and Manusama Sarmo—became a case study for JCI Urban’s broader Elementary Farming initiative, focused on sustainable food solutions for youth communities.

Radio 10 Article: Meisjesinternaat Siswatama kan binnenkort voorzien in eigen groentebehoefte

Health Fair 2014

On Sunday, August 10, 2014, JCI Urban hosted the second edition of its annual Health Walk & Health Fair at the Henry N. Hassankhan Scholengemeenschap in Lelydorp. The school grounds transformed into a vibrant wellness hub from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, welcoming residents of Wanica and Para for a full day dedicated to healthy living. The program kicked off with a peaceful yoga session, followed by a holistic health presentation, a lively Zouk dance workshop powered by LeZouFe, and a dynamic Zumba session by Cindy from B-Fit. Throughout the day, visitors also enjoyed shiatsu massages, a karate demonstration, and entertainment from various sports schools.

Running parallel to the activity-packed program, the health fair offered attendees a chance to explore wellness in practice. Visitors could taste Surinamese herbal teas and JCI Urban smoothies, check their BMI, receive eye exams and body scans, and gain information on chronic illnesses, breastfeeding, and health insurance. Booths were hosted by respected partners including All Vision, Rudisa, the Suriname Red Cross, My Lab, Health Control, and several public health foundations.

The event’s primary goal was to raise awareness about chronic diseases—the leading cause of death globally—and to emphasize prevention through healthy lifestyle choices. With poor diet and lack of physical activity among the top contributors, the program focused on educating citizens, especially youth, about nutritious food, regular exercise, and sustainable habits. Attendees received practical tips on how to prepare healthy meals and incorporate movement into their daily routines.

Led by committee members Sjefilijefie Kartooetomo, Ivane Kartoredjo, and Meredith Joeroeja, the event was not only educational but also fun and family-friendly. By combining entertainment with wellness education, JCI Urban reinforced its commitment to community health and active citizenship, leaving a positive and lasting impact on all who attended.