Young children are still in the process of developing and have a strong need to play and have fun. By giving them enough attention and encouraging them, you contribute to their positive development. In a childcare setting, carers are kept busy looking after all the children. If you’d like to contribute to this, the 'Schildpadjes' childcare project in Paramaribo offers a unique opportunity. Here, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the young children, and they’ll be excited to do fun activities with you. At this childcare centre, you’ll be working with babies, toddlers, and primary school children.
You’ll build a bond with the children and get to experience a new culture. Suriname’s population is made up of a mix of many different ethnic groups, bringing with it diverse religions and customs. These cultures live together in harmony. The Dutch culture is also noticeable in Suriname, as Dutch is spoken, and many Surinamese people have family and friends living in the Netherlands. So, despite being on the other side of the world, you’ll still get a bit of a sense of home here.
In the morning, you’ll start the day gently with the youngest children at the daycare, as the older children are still at school. For breakfast, the children are served a warm meal. You’ll help the younger children who aren’t yet able to feed themselves. You’ll also assist the carers by looking after the children and engaging them in fun activities. You’ll have a lot of freedom in this role, so you can take the initiative and do activities like reading stories, playing games, or drawing.
Later in the day, you’ll pick up the next group of children from school. The school is nearby the daycare. There’s a playground at the childcare centre where the children can play and have fun. Your role is to supervise them, and if you’re keen, you can also come up with games to play with them.
Finally, the oldest group of primary school children arrives at the daycare. You won’t need to pick them up as they are allowed to walk there independently. This group is also very eager to play with you and learn more about you.
Aline vrijwilliger in Suriname
Ik ben ontzettend dankbaar voor deze mooie en leerzame ervaring op een plek waar vrijwilligers hard nodig zijn om de kinderen net dat extra beetje aandacht, hulp en liefde te geven.
Vrijwilliger in Suriname
Dus weet je het nog niet zeker, schrijf je in! Je maakt herinneringen en vrienden voor het leven. Gewoon doen ;)
Luna vrijwilliger in Suriname
Ik kan dit echt iedereen aanraden! Ik heb echt een geweldige tijd gehad!
In Suriname, working hours generally start earlier than in the Netherlands. At the childcare centre, the teachers begin at 7:00am and work 7-8 hours a day. Another group starts around midday and works between 5-6 hours. It gets very hot in Suriname during the afternoon, which is why the afternoon shift is shorter. You’ll probably also notice that working in the heat takes a bit more energy than in the Netherlands. So you definitely won’t be cold in Suriname!
As a volunteer, you can discuss your preferred working hours. Many volunteers choose to work from Monday to Thursday. This is because tours to the interior are often organised on Fridays. Of course, it might happen that a tour or another activity falls on a weekday. It’s not a problem if you miss a day at the childcare centre, just make sure to inform the staff in advance. This project gives you plenty of space to explore the country and enjoy other fun experiences on the side!
Throughout the day, the staff rotates. Usually, there are four or five childcare teachers. In the morning, three are present, and in the afternoon, two more group leaders join. There may also be other volunteers working with you.
Dutch is spoken at the project in Suriname.
The project is available year-round. During the school holidays, there is still a need for childcare. The only time the centre is closed is on national holidays.
Here are the national holidays in Suriname:
New Year's Day – 1 January
Chinese New Year – 25 January
Day of the Revolution – 25 February
Holi Phagwa – 9 March
Good Friday – 10 April
Easter Monday – 13 April
Labour Day – 1 May
Idul Fitr (Sugar Festival) – 24 May
Keti Koti (Emancipation Day) – 1 July
Idul Adha (Hindu Holiday) – 31 July
Indigenous Peoples’ Day – 9 August
Maroons’ Day – 10 October
Diwali (Festival of Lights) – 14 November
Independence Day – 25 November
Christmas Day – 25 December
Boxing Day – 26 December
It’s really fun to experience a holiday like Holi Phagwa. This is a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Everyone in the city joins in, throwing coloured powder on each other. I celebrated this with the kids at the childcare centre, so if you see any photos with colourful faces, now you know why!
The volunteer house is secure and includes Wi-Fi, a laundry area, kitchen facilities, a swimming pool, and shared spaces for relaxation. The rooms have air conditioning, wardrobes, and double beds. Bathrooms and toilets with hot and cold water are available. Not all rooms have private bathrooms and toilets. Rooms are not shared unless requested by the volunteer. The house also has a housekeeper.
Volunteers typically travel by bicycle or public transport.
If you have extra room in your luggage and would like to bring something for the project, it’s greatly appreciated. Just check with us beforehand to see what would be useful.
We work with a trusted and reliable taxi service with whom we have fixed arrangements. Your name and flight number are shared in advance. We also maintain regular phone contact with the taxi service. Volunteers arrive at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (Zanderij).
Check out our additional trips to see what you can do during your free time! We’ve got some amazing excursions for you to enjoy. And since you’re already in such a beautiful destination, why not explore a bit more of the country?
Rita is the contact person in Suriname. She’s a dedicated 57-year-old woman described as patient, reliable, warm-hearted, loving, persistent, determined, peaceful, and safety-conscious. She’s the mother of two grown sons.
Her background is in financial administration, but she currently works as a medical assistant in a hospital in the endoscopy department with the gastroenterologist.
In her free time, she runs a reading support centre where she helps young people with homework assistance and more. She is also the local contact for Volunteer Worldwide.
In short: an amazing woman with strong willpower, a clear focus, and great dedication.
For this project, we are looking for volunteers who want to contribute to the development of young children in a childcare centre in Paramaribo. You’ll be assisting with activities for babies, toddlers, and primary school-aged children.
This project is suitable for volunteers aged 17 and over.
Affinity with Childcare
A passion for working with children is, of course, essential.
Initiative and Proactivity
You should be comfortable working independently and taking the lead in organising activities.
Patience and Empathy
It’s important to be understanding and patient when working with children.
Cultural Sensitivity
Respect for local customs and traditions is key.
Flexibility and Adaptability
You’ll need to adjust to different circumstances while in Suriname.
Communication Skills
You'll be working closely with local staff and other volunteers.
Team Spirit
Collaboration and teamwork are important in this environment.
You’ll start your day with the youngest children, helping with meals and organising fun activities. Later in the day, you’ll pick up older children from school and guide them through games and other activities. Working hours are flexible and usually from Monday to Thursday, giving you free time on weekends.
Your stay in Suriname offers opportunities for both personal and professional growth, cultural exchange, and unforgettable experiences.
If you have a passion for childcare and are ready to commit yourself in a rewarding but challenging setting, then this project in Suriname is perfect for you. Together, we can make a lasting impact on these children’s quality of life.
We completely understand that having your child volunteer overseas can feel like a big step. In fact, it’s often just as exciting for parents as it is for the young person themselves, and sometimes even a little more nerve-racking. That’s why we want to reassure you that your child is in good hands.
Since 2004, we’ve been supporting volunteers and have guided many young people through meaningful international experiences.
We take safety seriously. That begins with carefully selecting our partner organisations, volunteer projects, and host families. Every placement is thoroughly checked to make sure it meets our high standards for safety, support, and ethical practices.
Our experienced and caring local contacts are always there to support volunteers throughout their journey. From clear pre-departure preparation to personal assistance during the project, we’re available to help whenever needed.
We believe strongly in open communication. You're always welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’re here not only for the volunteers, but for their families too.
You can feel confident knowing we are fully committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive experience. Your child’s wellbeing, safety, and overall happiness are our top priorities.
If there's anything you’d like to ask or talk through, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Warm regards,
The Volunteer Worldwide Team
2 weeks: $1057
3 weeks: $1595
Each additional week: $299
*All prices are in AUD.
Before Departure
Online introductory meeting
Information pack with details about the culture and customs in Suriname, as well as a checklist of all necessary preparations, including info on insurance, money matters, and travel tips
Pre-departure training
Assistance with obtaining a Certificate of Conduct (VOG)
Access to the online community
Help with your visa application
Help booking your flight (on request)
During Your Trip
Airport transfer to the project site
On-site orientation
Assistance with visa extension (if needed)
Support throughout your entire stay
Accommodation in the volunteer house
After Your Trip
Evaluation session
Certificate (on request)
Opportunity to stay active in our WhatsApp community
Memories for life!
Airfare
Vaccinations
Visa
Certificate of Conduct (VOG)
Meals
Travel insurance
Welkom op onze website! Mocht je iets niet kunnen vinden of wil je ons iets vragen stuur dan even een berichtje via WhatsApp. We helpen je gelijk verder!
