The foundation Jeugdwerk Zanderij en Omgeving was founded on 02 May 2002 in the district of Para, Suriname, with Zanderij residential centre as its base. The idea for setting up the foundation partly arose from having to overcome barriers after the foundation of The Lions scout group on 03 March 1996. The group was founded at that time with the support of the Mission of the Seventh Day Adventist Churches in Suriname, with Mrs. Inge-de Vlugt as leader, Rita also chairwoman of the aforementioned Foundation (to date). After almost 5 years it became apparent that more scope was needed to perpetuate the various challenges of the youth from the neighbourhood. The interest appeared to be more than just scouting; rather education and upbringing. This was noticeable from a major decline in the number of members. Scouting was experienced as boring, so to speak.

It was necessary to look for an alternative and after weighing up the pros and cons, a foundation was chosen to support the stated goals. Within a short time, with the cooperation or sponsorship of NV Luchthaven Beheer, the first project with drums and trumpets was for the establishment of a drum band and a marjorette corps including training in playing marching music. It turned out to be a bull's eye because the impact on society to date is astonishing.

Everywhere in the Para district and almost in all other districts in Suriname the group was asked from then on to perform during mainly public events such as the Pink Ribbon walk, Aids walk, Christian liberation walk, Health walk, Campaign walk, Bobie merki waka walk, prodowakka walk and many more. Outside the borders they performed in Curacao and French Guyana. This support to the community has become indispensable, partly because of the social character that underlies it. The scouts who form the spearhead of the foundation are asked for support at almost all major events and activities in the district and also outside of it, during all kinds of activities such as; car guard and serving at events, guidance of children, assistance to senior citizens and people with disabilities and even as mascot during the introduction of mascots regarding the Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing (China), which was launched at White Beach on Domburg in the Para district.

After realizing the above-mentioned objective, where the interest was very high, the group stabilized at almost 125 members and the lack and the need to have our own Clubhouse became even more apparent. The foundation created the opportunity to give substance to this. After hard and intensive work, taking into account the bureaucracy within the government, our wish was fulfilled on February 3, 2012. It is a plot of land that is particularly suitable for youth work, measuring 2884.99 square meters with a multifunctional building on it at Albert Plesman Street # 56 in Zanderij in the Para district, right next to OSZanderij. The building in question was built in the sixties by Pan American Airlines and is currently in a very poor condition, partly due to overdue maintenance. However, it is used as a Clubhouse by the scouts, which is currently very dangerous due to the risk of landfill.

Objectives of the foundationThe foundation is mainly concerned with creating opportunities to improve the social position of young people in general, but that of Para in particular. The emphasis is on the development of young people in the social, cultural, economic, educational and societal areas. The foundation tries to achieve its goal by, among other things:

- Supporting young people in their leisure activities such as: Scouting, Music, Sports, education, cultural expressions, etc. etc. - Supporting pupils and students in their school career development. - Stimulating the social participation of these groups. - Supporting organizational groups in developing their activities in the field of social, educational and cultural areas.

Impact on parents and guardians. Briefly, it can be stated that the interest in possible new registrations and the establishment of scout groups is very high in almost all areas where the group visits. The reaction of the parents or guardians is that there is a need for such education and training of the youth there, especially with regard to the loitering youth. Often enough, they are referred by us to other organizations in their area, but education and training with a more Christian basis appeals to them more, with the understanding that they are more likely to opt for such an education. Often enough, we have to disappoint them because of the distances.

Impact on society. Through The Lions scout group, which currently forms the spearhead for youth affairs within the foundation, numerous activities are being developed that should create awareness in the social, cultural, educational and sports fields in our society.

This includes, among other things:

- Education (trainings); First Aid, Environmental Conservation, Dried Flowers, Leaders, Making of Art, Serving and Cooking, Baking Bread, Social Skills, Internet, etc. etc. for both Boy Scouts and Young People Outside. Furthermore, Homework Guidance for Boy Scouts and Non-Boy Scouts. Information about Aids, Teenage Pregnancies, Peer Pressure, Combating Crime and Fire Prevention for Young People in Various Indigenous Villages and Neighbourhoods.

- Social-societal; flagpole donated to various schools in Para. 2nd hand clothing, footwear and food donated to various children's homes and indigenous villages. Honoring various role models of the Para district, including Misi Para, Little Miss Suriname and runner up etc. etc. Execution of a soup project for senior citizens and elderly people in the Para district. Visits to children in hospitals in Paramaribo. Children's and Mother's Day celebration as well as Children's Rights Day. Cleaning work at the homes of people with disabilities in the Para district. Often enough support during funerals in the area by means of the drum band and car guard.

Cultural; Performance of a musical in various churches in Para and Paramaribo. Performance of various plays with a message to young people in Para and also outside as an eye opener. At the request of third parties also theater performances during parties and birthdays in the form of thanksgiving.- Sports area; connection football club “Zanderij defense force”.Organization of fundraising activities by means of sports days cqihb Football and softball.- Miscellaneous; organization of a Mini Jamboree with more than 600 scouts and others in 2006.Co-organization of the annual Camporees with usually more than 200 scouts and young people.