14.01.2012 Stichting Double Positive

The Republic of Surinam has a major AIDS problem and this is why Stichting Double Positive supports women with aids.

Mrs Ethel Pengel started Stichting Double Positive as she herself was diagnosed HIV in 1983. Ethel tries her utmost to support women in a similar situation.
She does this by trying to give them a goal in live so that they are able to support themselves. It gives them something to do and at the same time it gives them a small income, because the way the government supports them is next to nothing. They receive only 130 SRD per month and this is by far not enough, especially when you have a couple of children.

Ethel gives sewing lessons to make clothes for themselves, their children but also to sell which provides a small income.
To help Ethel we supplied her with sewing machines, pieces of cloth and sewing accessories.

As well as the sewing lessons Ethel wanted to teach the women how to make candles in various colours and shapes which then can be sold as presents.
It gave us the idea to help and supply her with candle remnants.

We asked for help in the New Apostolic Church in the Netherlands and the result was breathtaking. We shipped 53 cardboard boxes filled with candle remnants to the Rep. of Surinam and when we write this the candles have already been made and sold.
The profit of the sales provided some of the women with food for themselves and their children. This is important because nutrition is often lacking.

Ethel told us that Cordaid as well as Liliane Fonds have withdrawn from the Rep. of Surinam. This is a heavy blow for Stichting Double Positive.
It makes life very hard on Ethel and she told us that she is sometimes tired of the constant battle to find money to provide food for those who need it the most.
And this is why we want to continue collecting candle remnants, pieces of cloth and sewing machines.

We sincerely hope that we are able to give a positive contribution to this group of vulnerable people in the Surinam society. Because they are all vulnerable in one way or another. Maybe via being contaminated or ill, or being poor and being discriminated upon by society. Rejection by their family is a common enough practice when it is known that they are HIV positive and/or have contracted AIDS. These women will not be given a job when they make known that they are contaminated. A similar situation as with leprosy in the past.
Sad but true.

Therefore we want to keep on supporting these women and children.
“Will you help us?”


Clara Anbeek