Suriname
Mandy’s Story – Paramaribo, Suriname
Week 5:
Most days I feel like I’ve been dropped from a great height into a situation I was completely unprepared for and yet somehow we muddle through each day. God is a gracious God.
In 2005 I was teaching in a school in a remote area of Zambia, after that, and having spent a few years back in New Zealand, I indicated to The Salvation Army that I was keen to go back overseas. I was soon told there was a position in Suriname at a children’s home. I’d never even heard of Suriname but 6 months later I was on my way.
Now, I’m the director here at Ramoth Children’s Home, home to 30 children from a variety of backgrounds. None of the children are orphans, they all have family of some sort but for various reasons they cannot live with them. Some parents are too sick to take care of them, some simply can’t afford to have them at home. Many 
parents have gone on to have other children with a new partner leaving the children here feeling a little vulnerable to say the least.
I live on site so it’s a 24/7 job with constant demands. We’re often short staffed and ensuring the children are well cared for, well educated and have the opportunities that all children should be given in life is an ongoing issue.
The building is in terrible condition, every time I turn around something else seems to be falling apart. We’ve had some funding last year for some urgent repairs but there’s still a lot that needs to be done.
Personally, it’s been an incredibly challenging time since I arrived. The language barrier is one of the greatest challenges and very frustrating. But the kids are wonderful and for all the challenges, we have a lot of fun.
Appeal
Unfortunately, places like Ramoth Children’s Home in the Carribean Territory simply couldn’t exist without the generosity of people like yourself.
I’ve sat where you’re sitting now, I’ve watched the DVD’s. I’ve been challenged, often moved to tears and so often I’ve thought: “but what can I do?”
I read recently about William Carey who after hearing an account of the spiritual needs of India was challenged by the question: “who will go?”
Carey replied: “I will go but remember, you must help hold the ropes”. You have a chance to help hold the ropes by supporting the 2012 Self Denial Appeal. Please, help hold the ropes for the many, many people whose lives are made better because of the work of The Salvation Army so that they may discover God the one who gave them life.
