Only a single chair and mattress remained of the 14-room STICRIS Women’s Shelter in Paramaribo, Suriname after it was engulfed in flames on Dec. 12, 2011. The shelter, which was built in 1985 to offer women and their children a safe, nonviolent environment, had to shut down operations.
“We are filled with joy because after nine years, we have finally succeeded in reopening the STICRIS women’s shelter,” said chairman of STICRIS Heidy Cederboom, at the re-opening ceremony in 2020. “We would not have been here today without this very generous donation.”
In 2018, STICRIS began rebuilding and expanding the shelter. The new two-story building has 13 individual rooms, a kitchen, a laundry room, a multi-purpose space and room for consultations. STICRIS provides professional guidance to help women plan for their future and become economically independent and provides resources to women even after they leave the shelter.
Ian Roberts represented APA Corporation at the event and shared “We hope that the building will be a safe haven for women and their children in crisis. STICRIS, keep up the good work you are doing. And we hope to continue our partnership with the foundation.”
April 2021