Why Create a Bitcoin Economy in Suriname?
Bitcoin has the potential to revolutionize financial systems worldwide, providing a
more decentralized and secure alternative to traditional banking. However, the level of awareness and
understanding of Bitcoin in Suriname is currently very low.
Bitcoin is a safer, faster, and more reliable monetary system ready to be used as a
medium of exchange. Therefore, it presents a unique opportunity to build a Bitcoin community in the
inland and rural areas of Suriname, leveraging renewable energy sources for Bitcoin mining and other
activities.
Our goal is to promote the adoption of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network in Suriname,
as well as educate local communities on the potential benefits of these technologies.
Inspired by successful circular economies like Bitcoin Beach, Bitcoin Jungle, Praia Bitcoin Brazil and Bitcoin Kampala, we will set up and maintain a Bitcoin Circular Economy to serve local communities
across the country.
How did Bitcoin Sranan get started?
In 2021, Maya Parbhoe took a trip to El Salvador and witnessed firsthand the incredible impact
that Bitcoin adoption had on the country. She was filled with inspiration and knew that she wanted to
bring this same level of innovation and progress to Suriname. And so, she began to build a team of
like-minded individuals who shared her passion for Bitcoin.
Together, they launched a podcast called "Eenentwintig" in 2022, where they could
educate and inspire their community about the benefits of Bitcoin. It wasn't long before they began
laying the foundation for a Bitcoin Circular Economy, with the goal of creating a brighter future for
Suriname through the power of Bitcoin.
At BTC Prague, Maya had the chance to connect with other Bitcoin builders, including
Fernando Motolese from Bitcoin Beach Brazil. It was here that Maya realized the true potential of using Bitcoin
as medium of exchange in Suriname. Since then, they began planning and organizing Bitcoin communities
throughout the country.
After months of dedication and collaboration, Bitcoin Sranan was born and is now ready
to build. This is just the beginning of their journey, and we can't wait to see the incredible impact
they will have on Suriname's economy and the world of Bitcoin as a whole. With determination, passion,
and a commitment to progress, the team at Bitcoin Sranan is a true inspiration, and we can't wait to see
where their journey takes them next.
Our first meetup was a huge success, and we were thrilled to have Paco de la India as our special guest! During the meetup, we had the opportunity to orange-pill some people and show them the incredible benefits of using Bitcoin. One of the highlights of the event was when we demonstrated how a BitcoinizePOS works. Attendees were amazed to see how easy and seamless it is to buy products and services using Bitcoin. And best of all, many of them actually made purchases using Bitcoin during the meetup!
Overall, the event was a fantastic opportunity to introduce the people of Suriname to the world of Bitcoin and show them how it can transform their lives. We can't wait for our next meetup, where we'll continue to spread the word about Bitcoin and the amazing possibilities it holds.
First activation of Bitcoin Sranan
We've started the fruits for sats program at the Kindertehuis Tamara orphanage in Paramaribo. There are 14
kids who have already faced more hardship than anyone should have to endure. They deserve a little
bit of joy in their lives, and
we want to help bring that joy through the power of Bitcoin.
Inspired
by a program created by Praia Bitcoin Brazil, we want to introduce the Fruits
for Sats program
to Kindertehuis Tamara. This
program is designed to teach children about money, how it serves our society, and how Bitcoin can
make a difference.
We'll be using NFC cards to exchange fruits with the children, showing them how Bitcoin can work in
practice.
But
we don't just want to teach the children about Bitcoin. We
also want to make sure they have fun while they
learn.
That's why we're planning to include board games, mural painting, and other low-cost activities that
will engage the children and help them learn important skills while enjoying themselves.
Roadmap
Drawing inspiration from the experiences Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, Bitcoin Jungle in Uvita, and Praia Bitcoin Brazil in Jericoacoara,
our strategy involves providing evidence of our efforts by successfully completing each task outlined in
our crowdfunding campaign and sharing the results publicly both on Twitter and Nostr.
Our primary focus will be on four places: Paramaribo the main city and three villages, Alfonsdorp, Brokopondo, and Kwalamasamutu.
Q3 - 2023
[OK] Create a Proton Email for Bitcoin Srana and activate 2FA
[OK] Setup Node, SSL Certificate, Domain, Lightning, LNBits and BtcPayServer
[OK] Create a Bitcoin Sranan Twitter Account
[OK] Publish the crowdfunding campaign
[OK] Make the First activation and deliver one Bitcoinize PoS and 14 NFC Cards
[OK] Make an initial visit to Orphans of Sranan
[OK] Start to provide fruits for 10 sats daily for the kids of the Orphanage
[OK] Orange Pill the fruits vendor and train them on accepting Bitcoin
- Orange Pill 21 vendors in Paramaribo (3 down)
- Create a community on BTCMap.org
- Generate, print, cut and pack 20 NFC Cards
- Install the POS Machine in a fruit store and add it to BTCMap.org
- Make the second activation and deliver 90 NFC cards
- Continue offering fruits for 10 sats
- Weekly Bitcoin meetup
Q4 - 2023
- Deliver a Bitcoinize PoS Machine to the Fruits supplier
- Equip the school with Bitcoinize PoS machine to accept tuition payments and canteen
purchases in Bitcoin.
- Deliver the translated First Diploma Student Workbook to the local community schools
- Attend and learn from Adopting Bitcoin - El Salvador (17-11-2023)
- Monthly Bitcoin meetup
- Host a Bitcoin students' only Meetup
Q1-2024
- Add a total of 5 Orphanage to the Fruit x Sats program
- Weekly meetups
- Organize Adopting Bitcoin Sranan - Conference
Donors!
If you're a Bitcoin company or an individual donor donating over .05BTC and would like
to have your logo/avatar listed in the Donors section, please get in touch via bitcoinsrana@gmail.com
after you make a donation, with an invoice or a transaction ID, and a logo/avatar in .png (200 x 200
px).
Special Thanks
