IAMGOLD : Rosebel Gold Mines donates mattresses to surrounding communities

Rosebel Gold Mines donates mattresses to surrounding communities

Residents of the eight surrounding villages in Brokopondo and Pikin-Saramacca, in Suriname, with whom Rosebel Gold Mines (RGM) maintains ties, received the donation of spring mattresses on March 27. These mattresses were available after new ones were installed in the rooms at the campsite.

Yoanne Nayoe, Superintendent, Sustainability, explained during a ceremonial handover at Marchalkreek that the donated mattresses have been carefully selected and thoroughly cleaned by a contracted company. 'We would have liked to hand over a mattress to all villagers. But that is impossible for now due to the limited number of mattresses available. So, we contacted the different organizations within the communities and asked them to further distribute the mattresses as they saw it appropriate.'

Basja Julian Eersteling of Marchalkreek, assistant of the Captain of this community, thanked the Superintendent for the donation during the ceremony. Chief Captain of the Brownsweg communities, Henk Finisie, also voiced that the gesture was an excellent idea. 'Instead of disposing of mattresses that are still in good conditions, the villagers can now use them well,' he said. In addition to Marchalkreek, the traditional authority of Brownsweg also received eight mattresses. The Chief Captain will donate the mattresses to the eight small communities of Brownsweg, which will redistribute them to those who need them the most.

The donation of the mattresses is a result of Rosebel's Camp Improvement Program. The purpose of this initiative is to improve the general quality of life of employees at the Rosebel Gold Mines site and surrounding communities. The exchange of the old mattresses for new ones is also part of this program. So far, the Community Relations Department has donated 214 of the released mattresses to the eight communities of interest (COI) surrounding the mine site.