Volunteers in Suriname

The first day of work in Suriname was marked with celebration as the USS Iwo Jima Commodore Thomas Negus participated in opening ceremonies alongside Suriname’s dignitaries at a chosen medical site in Paramaribo.

Commodore Negus talked a bit about the eight-nation humanitarian mission and the importance of the non-governmental organization participation. “The great thing about Continuing Promise is that number one, it is a equal partnership mission,” says Commodore Negus. “We go into these counties on their invitation, use the elements and capability of our government, our international partners and our strong civilian non-governmental organization participation like Project HOPE. We have a strong partnership with Project HOPE, they have been leaders in every (Continuing Promise) mission we have done. We might be approaching a hundred different volunteers on this mission alone."

After the opening ceremonies, the medical site went into full gear.

A girl who was so excited to have a tooth removed that she had little to eat all day, felt a bit light headed after her tooth removal. HOPE volunteers Kerry Decker, a nurse from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Dr. Ruth Hart, a physician from Manlius, New York, came to her aid.

“We gave her some fluids, took her blood pressure, and provided some liquid Ibuprofen for the pain. She feels a lot better right now,” said Dr. Hart.

Other Project HOPE volunteers are doing overnights in Suriname including Dr. Mona Khanna, a physician from Chicago, Illinois, who is doing a four day stay at a medical site.

As the first day came to a close, volunteers are enthusiastic for their continuing work in Suriname.

Photos and story by Kris Radder, HOPE's Volunteer Public Affairs Officer

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