BLOG
A One-Woman Army is Trying to Turn the Entire Country of Suriname Orange, but Faces Many Challenges Along the Way
With a population of 628,785 as of July 2024. Suriname is grappling with a high cost of living crisis, with inflation being the most severe issue. A country once known for its rich natural resources—such as gold, oil, bauxite, hardwood forests, and tourism—is now in a steep recession.
However, Maya Parbhoe, a selfless Bitcoiner, recognized Bitcoin's potential and how it could positively transform her entire country by returning power to the people through its decentralized and autonomous nature.
In this blog post, we will explore how a small country on the northeastern coast of South America is gradually embracing Bitcoin despite facing numerous challenges.
We will delve into the extent of Bitcoin adoption in Suriname and learn about how a visionary woman is doing her best to uplift her hometown using Bitcoin, aiming to make Suriname great again through this revolutionary technology.
Join us in this article as we explore how Bitcoin adoption began and to what extent it has progressed in Suriname.
Inflation has always been high in Suriname, reaching 52.4% in 2022. As of 2024, the inflation rate recently decreased to 18.6%, down from 20.9% earlier in the year. However, the average monthly salary in the country is about US$175.
With a depreciating currency and an inflationary economy, life has been challenging for those living in Suriname.
Like many countries worldwide, most people in Suriname are forced to live in survival mode due to these global issues. Many individuals have to take on multiple jobs, to meet their family's needs.
And that's why Bitcoin Suriname was formed.
Recognizing Bitcoin's potential to revolutionize an entire country, as seen in El Salvador, Bitcoin Suriname aims to introduce this transformative technology to its people. However, for the revolution to take root in Suriname, its citizens must first become aware of this revolutionary technology.
Bitcoin Suriname is a Bitcoin-only project dedicated to increasing Bitcoin adoption in Suriname through grassroots Bitcoin education and partnerships with local organizations and businesses.
The project aims to bring Bitcoin closer to the people of Suriname, fostering a thriving Bitcoin community in the country.
Bitcoin Suriname is led by Maya Parbhoe, a pro-Bitcoin advocate passionate about open-source technology. She is also a presidential candidate dedicated to transforming Suriname and aims to see her country embrace Bitcoin ("turn it orange"). Maya comes from a family of tech enthusiasts and mathematicians.
In addition to her candidacy in Suriname, Maya Parbhoe is a businesswoman who has founded and established multiple enterprises. At the age of 15, she launched her first shipping company, Quickship Logistics. Since then, she has gone on to establish numerous other ventures, including Daedalus Labs, a Bitcoin startup.
Maya Parbhoe has also contributed to the development of several open-source projects, including Eenentwintig, which she founded, Blink, Mi Primer Bitcoin (Dutch language translation), Twentyone.world, and others. "As a lover of open-source, I enjoy contributing to this space in any way I can with my skills," she added.
Maya Parbhoe was inspired by Bitcoin because she sees it as the solution to the problems already facing Suriname and aim to bring Bitcoin closer to the people of Suriname through education, adoption initiatives, merchant integration, Bitcoin meetups, collaborations with Bitcoin companies and projects, among other strategies which we will discuss further in this article.
Inspired by Bitcoin, she launched Bitcoin Suriname, a Bitcoin-only project dedicated to fulfilling that purpose.
Maya Parbhoe's life hasn't always been like that; she was once the daughter of a very wealthy family but lost everything, including her dad, at the tender age of 13.
Life turned cruel for Maya and her single mom when their wealth was completely siphoned away but despite life's challenges, her mom was incredibly supportive, raising funds to provide Maya with the best education and that support enabled Maya to become the shining light she is today. Read more about Maya Parbhoe's story in Bitcoin Magazine by Frank: Meet Maya Parbhoe, the pro-Bitcoin presidential candidate aiming to save Suriname.
As time passed, Suriname deteriorated. Maya Parbhoe, who once didn't grasp Bitcoin's potential in 2012, became acutely aware of it in 2014 and she has developed a masterplan to utilize Bitcoin to replace the highly inflationary Surinamese dollar, which we will be covering soon.
"Once elected president, I hope to remain irrelevant because that's how it's supposed to be," she said.
"No longer will decisions be made exclusively by those in power, as I'll do my utmost to empower the people through Bitcoin, freeing them from financial slavery by establishing Bitcoin as the de-facto currency, protecting the country from the continual inflation of the Surinamese dollar," she added.
With a clear vision to liberate the people of Suriname through Bitcoin adoption, Maya Parbhoe strives to bring Bitcoin closer to her people despite facing various hurdles.
When I asked Maya Parbhoe about her recent wins and challenges in bringing Bitcoin to Suriname…
She stated, "The recent collaboration between Nova Stars Academy and Sazming, also with Fedi, and other Bitcoin supporters aims to introduce Bitcoin to 800 kids (that's 800 potential families) and teach them life skills through football.
With our help, we will also support their education and anyone can by supporting their mission on Geyser!'
‘Additionally, we are introducing around 3,000 Bitcoin NFC cards and 5 Bitcoinize PoS systems for merchants donated by Geyser, which will be deployed to businesses especially club owners and event organizers, to promote Bitcoin to them, and with the innovation of the Blink Voucher, off-ramping will surely be made easier for us, which we plan to utilize.’
‘We have also become a Light Node at MyFirstBitcoin to bring grassroots Bitcoin education to Suriname which we're going to kick off soon.’
‘Our upcoming Bitcoin conference, Suriname Decentralized conference which will take place on November 7th and 8th, with a special gathering on November 9th, a Nostr Beach Festival, is expected to attract nearly 500 foreign attendees and around 3,000 Surinamese participants. This initiative also aims to bring Bitcoin closer to the people.’
With all these proof-of-works, Bitcoin Suriname is lacking financial funding. 'Most of these events and strategies are done through my personal savings and I’m almost running out,' she said.
So if anyone wants to help the project progress, one of the best ways to contribute is by donating through their Geyser.
Bitcoin Suriname needs funding to get people and initiatives started and due to the high inflation rate, Surinamese have no choice but to work extensively, making it difficult for Maya to find an on-ground team to facilitate Bitcoin adoption.
Currently, Maya is a one-woman army. “All the installation of the Bitcoinize PoS and NFC cards will be done entirely by myself, because due to lack of funding, I couldn't assemble a solid on-ground team, as no one in Suriname is willing to work for free.'”
- she said.
“We're also working on bringing Bitcoin mining facilities to the rural areas of Suriname, aiming to transform the country into a Bitcoin-producing nation and with this initiative we will create more job opportunities for Surinamese people to work and get paid in SATs," she added.
As ambitious as it may sound, Maya Parbhoe is on the brink of something remarkable—she's attempting to reshape the future of Suriname. This is a mission that everyone should support so If you feel inspired to contribute, their Geyser is ready and waiting.
Maya is working on bringing Bitcoin mining to Suriname. This would increase the flow of Bitcoin in the country and enable more people to earn in SATs instead of Suriname Dollars. Consequently, this could lead to a greater decline in the country's fiat money supply.
With a master plan to make Bitcoin the de facto currency of Suriname, which has never been done before, this initiative aims to empower the people, eliminate corruption entrenched in the highest levels of the Surinamese government, and privatize the country's industries and citizens.
Maya Parbhoe is doing her very best to make Suriname great again.
By introducing Bitcoin education, which will kick off soon, and NFC cards, and collaborating with Bitcoin companies to employ the people, Maya Parbhoe aims to create a thriving Bitcoin ecosystem in Suriname!
“If Bitcoin companies can hire or fund locals and pay them in Bitcoin, the locals can then use Bitcoin to buy commodities from businesses already accepting it! This, in turn, would attract other locals who would be interested in using Bitcoin and working for it,” she said.
Suriname is currently facing several challenges. Here are some of them:
High Transaction Costs: Transferring money to Suriname incurs high fees, compounded by the country's high inflation rate of around 18.6%. However, by leveraging the Lightning Network of Bitcoin, money transfers in Suriname could become faster and significantly cheaper, thereby improving the quality of life for all Surinamese.
As Bitcoin Suriname aims to promote adoption by bringing Bitcoin closer to the people, they seek your support! This is a battle against the government, fiat, and centralization in Suriname but, without your support, they may not achieve their goals quickly.
Despite facing challenges, Bitcoin Suriname continues to work tirelessly for Bitcoin empowerment. Maya is still running for president, and Suriname needs your support. Bitcoin Suriname is fighting for a cause that exceeds their current capabilities, but they persist in their fight for Bitcoin!
Donate: Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference. Consider donating to their project directly or through their Geyser to support their initiatives and projects aimed at empowering Suriname through Bitcoin education and adoption.
Spread Awareness: Share this blog post and information about Bitcoin Suriname across your social media platforms, forums, and with your network. The more people who know about their mission, the greater impact they can achieve.
Attending Their Upcoming Suriname Decentralized Conference: Join the Bitcoin & Nostr conference in Suriname, located at the heart of the Amazon, happening on November 7th and 8th, with a special gathering on November 9th. Exploring the fusion of technology and financial freedom, paving the way for a harmonious future for businesses and individuals in Suriname.
Volunteer: If you possess skills or expertise in education, technology, or community outreach, consider volunteering your time and resources to help Bitcoin Suriname initiatives. Even if you simply want to learn more about their project, you can join their community group.
Join the Movement: Be part of the revolution for transformative change in Suriname. Stay updated on Bitcoin Suriname progress, events, campaigns, and join their community to show your solidarity with the Suriname people.
Your support can create lasting change and improve lives in Suriname. You can contribute to their project and change the lives of every Surinamese with Bitcoin.
Together, let's empower Suriname for a brighter future!
Thank you for joining the revolution.
