An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 31, 2017

South Dakota National Guard renovates school with partner Suriname

By South Dakota National Guard

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Soldiers from the South Dakota Army National Guard and the Suriname Defense Force partnered together to renovate portions of the O.S. Majosteeg 3 School in Paramaribo, Aug. 13-24.

The renovation project, part of the Suriname and South Dakota State Partnership Program, provided an annual training opportunity for SDARNG engineer units and further developed partnerships with the SDF, while simultaneously assisting with a community need.

"The South Dakota National Guard has been the backbone for U.S. Department of Defense engagement in Suriname for more than 11 years," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Paolo Carcavallo, U.S. Navy deputy chief, Security Cooperation Office Suriname. "This second school renovation they've done shoulder-to-shoulder with Suriname's military engineers and is just another manifestation of the

Working together was a team of 10 Soldiers from the 155th Engineer Company, one from the 211th Engineer Company, and about a dozen engineers with the Suriname Defense Force. The service members focused on restroom improvements and the addition of a teacher's office.

The service members spent nine days on the renovations, which included panel construction, electrical, plumbing, tiling and painting.

"You get to learn how the Suriname engineers do things compared to how we do things," said Sgt. Zach Heesch, 155th Engineer Company. "I got the opportunity to learn how to do stuff I've never done before - like tiling."

Since 2006, Soldiers from both countries have conducted over 100 subject matter exchanges through the program, which have benefitted men and women from both organizations to gain knowledge and experience in both military operations and civilian culture.

"It feels great to be able to help so the kids have a better facility to use when they get back to school," said Heesch, who hopes he can return to Suriname someday. "You get to experience a whole new culture. It's an awesome experience." 

"This will mean so much for the school and the students," said Mrs. Gail Burleson, school director. "When they return from summer break, they will get to come back to all new bathrooms. On behalf of myself, the school, and the students, we greatly thank you." 

Throughout any particular year, about 20-30 service members from either South Dakota or from Suriname, travel to each other's respective countries and engage in about 10 subject matter exchanges covering a wide spectrum of topics.

"Engagements like these school renovations where soldiers from both countries work together to improve the quality of life for children really drive home what the partnership is about," Paolo said.  "We look forward to continue working with the Ministry of Defense and other government organizations to find more opportunities like this where we can directly impact for the better the lives of our friends in Suriname."

Funding for the project was provided by U.S. Southern Command and all materials and supplies were purchased in Suriname.

For the past 11 years, the SDNG and SDF have successfully partnered together to established a security cooperation relationship in coordination with USSOUTHCOM under the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. The partnership has flourished during the past decade, becoming a model for mutual security cooperation.

 

 

Related Articles
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, discusses briefing details with Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff for the Louisiana National Guard, during the annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 21, 2025. The drill helps synchronize plans and strengthen coordination across LANG’s senior leadership ahead of hurricane season.
Louisiana Guard Rehearses Emergency Plans for Hurricane Season
By Capt. Peter Drasutis, | May 28, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard conducted its annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge May 21, uniting key personnel across multiple commands to refine...

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations - preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.
New Hampshire Guard Teams with Morocco for Sling Load Training at African Lion 2025
By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester, | May 28, 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company (744TH FSC), 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for...

From left, Sgt. Edward Acda, Lt. Col. Vern Perez, Sgt. 1st Class Celine Taitano, Capt. Ryan Arellano, Staff Sgt. Jovencio Mortera, and Sgt. Avery Tyquiengco of the Guam National Guard participate in Balikatan Cyber Defense Exercise, Manila, April 27, 2025. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces designed to strengthen the alliance, showcase the capable combined force, and demonstrate the commitment to regional security and stability. (Courtesy asset)
Guam Guard Participates in Balikatan 2025 Cyber Defense Exercise
By Mark Scott, | May 28, 2025
MANILA, Philippines – A team of cyber professionals and an intelligence analyst from the Guam National Guard attended Balikatan 2025, participating in the three-week Cyber Defense Exercise alongside teams from various...