2023

The Board

Local President

Mehzabeen Ramsaroep: Rising Through Challenges as JCI Urban Local President 2023

For Mehzabeen Ramsaroep, serving as JCI Urban Local President in 2023 was a journey marked by significant challenges, personal growth, and resilience. From the very beginning, her leadership experience was anything but easy.

“My experience as Local President was very challenging and tough right from the start,” Mehzabeen shares candidly. Leading a board that struggled with contribution—and later became incomplete—meant navigating a role filled with constant ups and downs. “But those difficulties made me stronger and truly contributed to my personal growth,” she reflects.

Among all the moments in her presidential year, one stood out above the rest: “Receiving the JCI Local President Chain was my most memorable moment,” Mehzabeen recalls. “In that moment, I reminded myself that the real work was only just beginning—and it wouldn’t be easy.”

To current and future JCI Urban members, Mehzabeen offers a heartfelt message rooted in her values: “Be humble to everyone. Try to feel what others are feeling. Remember that service to humanity is the best work of life.”

Her story is a powerful reminder that true leadership is not just about success, but about growth through adversity, and staying grounded in service and empathy.

Solange Sordam
Local Secretary

Cathleen Kejensie
Vice President

Sherien Ramsaroep
Local Treasurer

The Theme

Populaire projecten

JCI Urban Leadership Academy

The JCI Urban Leadership Academy was a multi-day training initiative designed to strengthen the skills and leadership capacities of JCI Urban members. Tailored specifically for the local chapter, the sessions were held in the boardroom of the District Commissioner of Wanica Zuid-Oost and brought together experienced trainers from within and beyond the organization. This academy empowered members with practical tools and insights aligned with JCI values and their personal leadership journeys.

The training series launched on December 3, 2022, with:

“Introducing JCI: Global to Local” by Senator Rajiv Hieralal
“How to Plan (Y)our JCI Year” by Past President Xaviera L. Arnhem
It continued into the new year with sessions on:

January 6, 2023: “How to Communicate Empathetically” by Sylvia Jacobi
January 7, 2023:
- “Servant Leadership” by Senator Ray Jong A Lock
- “Strategic Thinking” by Senator Maikel Tjoe-Ny
January 8, 2023:
- “Stairway to Be Outstanding” by Past President Nicole Pawirodirjo
- “Mentorship: How to Ask for Help” by Past Officer Suzanne Essed
- “Teambuilding: Creating a Winning Team” by Senator Rajiv Hieralal

To complete the series, participants also attended “Pitch Your Idea Like a Boss” by Past Officer Jurn Kolader in January 2023.

Through this academy, JCI Urban reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing strong, capable, and visionary leaders equipped to serve the community and the organization with excellence.

Other Highlights

2023 Syma Quiz Champions

For the third consecutive year, JCI Urban claimed victory as the 2023 Syma Quiz Champions, earning the right to keep the coveted challenge trophy permanently. The winning team was composed of Observer Noach Sowikromo, Fellow Lorensia Karso, and Fellow Rosano Lagadeau. Their success was guided by the support and preparation of Coach Fellow Pudja Bhagwat and Local Secretary Solange Sordam.