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Suriname lies on the northeastern part of the continent of South America. It borders on the Atlantic Ocean in the north, Guyana in the west, French Guyana in the east, and Brazil in the south. De total area is 162,280 square kilometers, mostly covered with tropical rainforest.
Total population is estimated at 480,000, and is multi-ethnical consisting of: Amerindians (3 percent), Creoles (35 percent), Hindustanis (35 percent), Javanese (16 percent), Chinese (2 percent), Lebanese and European descendants (1 percent). There are about 170,100 Christians, 109,350 Hindus, 81,000 Muslims and 44,550 persons of other religious convictions (including Amerindians, Maroons and Jews).
The first Art of Living Course in Suriname was conducted in January 1998 by Rajshree Patel, with 20 participants. For the second course 500 persons registered! After the course Rajshree went to Trinidad for a few days, and came back with H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This was his first visit to Suriname. By September 2006 about 3.800 people in Suriname have done the AOL course.
Suriname had the honour to welcome various Art of Living Teachers (for part 1, part 2, Art Excel, Sahaj Samadhi meditation and DSN courses): Rajshree Patel, Michael Fishman, Chayapathi, Azah Mulchand, Ewald Poeran, Nitin Limaye, Joan Goodrum and Martine Cotinat. Since july 2001 Florence Rijsdijk became our first Surinamese teacher, and since February 2006 we have 2 new part 1 teachers and one art excel teacher.
After Rajshree left Suriname the Satsangs (weekly gatherings to practice together) were very small, sometimes there were only 3 persons!
But slowly but surely the number increased. Now every week 30 – 50 people attend the weekly satsang.
In April 2001 Sri Sri visited Suriname for the second time. Approximately 2000 people attended his lecture. In July 2001 Art of Living Suriname also acquired a legal status and the first board was installed.
In the prison at Santo Boma: 2 courses were conducted for detainees. In total 50 persons participated. The courses were very successful.
A few reactions which the participants wrote on the last day of the course:
“I feel relieved inside, I laugh the whole day.” 
“Before the course I felt confused, now I’m stable and not short of breath anymore. I feel free from all mental tension. I feel like I don’t have enemies on earth anymore. I want that every person feels what I have experienced on the course. I don’t get as angry as before.”
“Before the course I had a heavy feeling, depressive, high blood pressure and restlessness, sleepless nights. After the course I feel bliss, my high blood pressure went down, I sleep better and I feel calmer. Now I have more positive thoughts, almost no negative thoughts.”
“I feel very relaxed and joyful, free from all aggression.”
“Emotionally I feel perfect. Before the course I did not accept to be here, but now I feel free here (in prison) ”
“All the pain I felt is gone. It has given me mental rest and I sleep better. I have a joyful feeling and I laugh more. Now I can handle and control my emotions.”
“I have more energy, power and tolerance..”
“ I have become lighter, as if I have lost a few kilogram’s. The body feels cleaner. Mentally I feel expanded, now I can easily let the thoughts be. Emotionally I feel lighter, joyful and tolerant. Angriness and aggression are reduced. .” -
“ This course has done me good because now I sleep better, and I behave better. I have a calm feeling and I can handle myself better in every aspect. I feel happy and healthy.”
“ I sleep much better now and I’m free from all those sleeping pills.” (anonymous)
“ I feel healthy. It’s like I have become cleaner from inside. A lot of new thoughtsare coming up, like taking more responsibility en to keep my body pure. It has become clear to me that I am very dear and precious. I feel more joyful and calm.”
“ Before the course I felt terrible from inside because I always looked back at my past. I blamed everyone who for my unhappiness in live. First the course was difficult, but when I persevered I mentally felt more stable. The thoughts of what had happened to me in life slowly faded away through the breathing practices. Now I feel emotionally strong.”
Approximately 90 courses were conducted for the general public. Almost 3500 people in Suriname have taken the course already.
HIV/AIDS: In one of the courses 5 HIV/AIDS patients have participated free of charge. It is the intention to organize special courses for this group.
Five courses for university students (MWI, FMW en FTW).With regular practice of the Art of Living breathing techniques the concentration capacity improves, the mind becomes calmer and self-confidence increases. This contributes to better study results.
In 1998 the commander of the Air force (at that time) participated in the Art of Living course Part 1. He saw the benefits of the course and the positive effects on the state of the mind and organized 2 courses in the Army in 2001. Now we are planning to have more army courses.
Six Art Excel Courses where given to a total of 175 children. The Art Excel Course is developed to support children in their individual growth. Personal qualities and skills are  improved and stimulated. Children learn to get the maximum out of their Live.
Three Art Excel courses were conducted free of charge in orphanages. In one of the orphanages there is a regular follow-up with the children.
Since January 2003 the “Open House” is organized once a year in January. On this day the public is introduced to the activities of the Art of Living. Visitors can have a free foretaste of the Art of Living Course. In six classes in a school various aspects are covered: there is an introductory talk, information about healthy food, they learn the Bhastrika and participate in a meditation, do some yoga practices, watch a tape of Sri Sriand books and tapes are also sold.
 Every year the open day is a huge success and every time the atmosphere there is again in one word fantastic. The open house is an excellent way to interest the public for the AOL course. Enrollment during the open house is high and de courses which are organized right after the open day are really larger then usual. In 2005 there were 100 enrollments for the course which took place immediately after the open day.
Some of the most important social projects of the Art of Living in Suriname are: Christmas celebrations for (each time) 3 big orphanages during three consecutive years. Every child got a new present. The kids made their “wishlist” and for about 90% we have been able to give them the present they wished for! Every Orphanage also received a food-parcel. Christmas celebration for 15 poor families.
The families were visited first and every family could just declare what present they would prefer. Every family got a food-parcel.  Providing food-parcels, meals, clothing and goods to various orphanages. Many times we have surprised various orphanages with delicious cooked meals, with toys and consumer goods, clothes and food-parcels. Supporting an orphanage with renovating the building and the railing.
An orphanage which could no longer finish the ongoing renovation because of lack of funds was supported by Art of Living. Support was given to finish the roof en de railing. Cleaning a home for senior citizens.
With Christmas a home for senior citizens was visited for a mayor cleaning. With brooms, brushes, and cleaning stuff our volunteers went to the place and worked all day long. The residents were very happy with this gesture!
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