Suriname Men United (SMU) in collaboration with the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC), recently hosted a first of its kind Health and Information Fair in District Para, bringing essential health, legal, and social services directly to community members, including LGBTQIA+ persons and other vulnerable groups.
The fair was designed to address a major gap in access to inclusive services. Many residents in District Para have limited opportunities to connect with service providers in one space, particularly around issues such as HIV prevention, mental health, domestic violence support, children’s rights, sexual and reproductive health, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
According to Kenneth van Emden, Executive Director of Suriname Men United, the event was both necessary and timely. “The objectives of this event was to raise awareness of available services, connect residents directly with service providers, promote inclusive service delivery, and empower people with actionable information on health, rights, and support,” he said.
Seventeen organisations participated in the fair, offering a wide range of information and services. These included mental health support, children’s rights and youth counselling, domestic violence support, HIV/AIDS awareness and testing referrals, sexual health education on PrEP and PEP, victim support services, social welfare assistance, LGBTQIA+ awareness, stigma reduction, physical fitness programmes, and reproductive health information, including menstrual health.
The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with approximately 275 people attending. Booths remained active throughout the day as residents asked questions, sought guidance, and connected with organisations for follow-up support. The Department of Children’s Rights alone received around 120 visitors, while 20 people were referred for HIV testing. Several organisations also received requests to conduct school information visits, and others gained new members or clients.
Van Emden described the event as a meaningful step toward stronger community engagement and more inclusive service delivery. “In a single afternoon, 275 community members accessed critical health, legal, and social services, HIV testing referrals were facilitated, and safe conversations around LGBTQIA+ rights were created,” he said.
The event was funded by CVC and CUSO International through the Building Bricks Initiative, which aims to strengthen LGBTQIA+ civil society organisations across the Caribbean. “Your investment made history,” van Emden said in recognition of the support. “The 2026 Health and Information Fair was the first of its kind in District Para, and it would not have been possible without CVC and CUSO International’s generous support.”
Meanwhile, for SMU, the fair was more than a one-day activity, it helped plant seeds for future collaboration, stronger referral pathways, and continued community education across District Para in rural Suriname. The SMU executive director also noted that the health fair’s success was due to the support from Buurtmanagers Gewest Para, a division of the Police Corpse in Suriname. The Buurtmanagers Gewest Para, was crucial in helping to secure the required permits to host the event along with other logistical support.
