A Surinamese primary school, O.S. Leiding 8A, has officially reopened its renovated campus facilities this week, thanks to a full renovation project funded by the Staatsolie Foundation. A celebratory handover ceremony held on Tuesday marked the formal completion of the works, bringing a transformed learning environment to hundreds of current and future students at the school.
The foundation’s financial support covered comprehensive upgrades across two entire school wings, including full replacement of outdated electrical infrastructure and a complete refurbishment of two aging toilet blocks. The overarching goal of the project is to directly improve learning conditions for all students by addressing longstanding safety and accessibility issues at the campus.
Attendees at the handover ceremony included representatives from the Staatsolie Foundation, the construction contractor, school faculty, and student body. To honor the foundation’s support, students performed a special cultural program featuring traditional song, dance, and spoken word performances that highlighted their gratitude for the investment in their school.
School principal A. Charan opened formal remarks by extending sincere thanks to the foundation for its commitment to the project. Charan emphasized that the renovation is far more than just an upgrade to physical infrastructure—it is an investment in the long-term future of every student who passes through the school’s doors. “A school is more than a building,” Charan said. “It is a space where children learn, grow, and chase their dreams. Thanks to this generous contribution, we can now offer our students a far safer and more enjoyable place to learn every day.”
The project manager for the Staatsolie Foundation recalled that during her first site visit to the school, she was struck by the poor condition of many campus areas, particularly the outdated and run-down sanitation facilities. That observation reinforced the foundation’s mission to support underserved local schools, and to invest in creating supportive learning environments that set students up for success. “That’s exactly why the Staatsolie Foundation prioritizes school renovation projects: we want to do our part to give every student the quality learning space they deserve,” she noted.
Following the opening remarks, foundation representatives joined faculty and student leaders to unveil a commemorative project plaque. After the plaque unveiling, a group of student representatives cut the ceremonial ribbon to formally mark the renovated facilities open for use. The ceremony concluded with a guided tour for guests of the upgraded classrooms and refurbished toilet blocks, allowing attendees to see the completed upgrades firsthand.
Members of the O.S. Leiding 8A school community have expressed widespread gratitude for the foundation’s investment. With the renovation now complete, students have access to a modern, safe, and stimulating learning environment that will support their academic and personal growth for years to come.