Who We Are?
Our Mission
Visual artist Marcel Pinas founds Kibii Foundation in 2009. The foundation works on the preservation and development of the rich cultural heritage of the Maroons in Suriname. Kibii also encourages the development of the artistic talent of young people from Moengo and surroundings.
The purpose of the foundation is to contribute to the development of the area. The foundation does this by means of community development projects in the field of arts and culture. Besides this, Kibii works on the appreciation and recognition of the Maroon culture on an international level.
A short history of Moengo
Moengo is a city in the district Marowijne. In early years, she has known a huge bloom. From the 19th century on, the city was an important trade center. During World War II, Moengo became the epicenter of bauxite extraction. In 1943, the United States of America extracted sixty percent of all the required bauxite from Suriname. After that year, the company who extracted the bauxite, Alcoa, moved to North--America. This urged employment and led to an economical decline. A few decades later, the area deteriorated further because of the Domestic war that took place from 1986 until 1992 in Moengo and surroundings. The domestic war disrupted the community, leading to societal problems that are still felt. In 2015, the sister company of Alcoa, Suralco, lifted. This led to a complete stop of the employment the bauxite industry offered the community of Moengo.
Development and goals of the Kibii Foundation
The postindustrial city Moengo needs a sustainable alternative for the bauxite industry. At the same time, the city needs to solve the societal problems that occurred due to the domestic war. Kibii Foundation is founded with the purpose to address these economical and societal problems by means of arts and culture.
Kibii Foundation does this by using a sustainable approach: participation projects with the community, with a focus on cultural education for young people from the area. The projects make social themes discussable among young people. In addition, the participation in arts and culture provides a higher self--confidence in terms of the own artistic talent of young people and for an appreciation of their own culture and community.
Our Core Objectives
Kibii Foundation has formulated several objectives, which she wants to achieve through the various projects:
- Investment in children and young people.
- The use of arts and culture for innovation of Moengo and surroundings.
- The use of the enterprising ability of artists.
- Induce an economical and societal impulse.
- Position Moengo as cultural capital of Suriname.
- Give the past a future through the Kibii Wi Koni Maroon Research Center.