Suriname

First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975.

In 1962, at the request of the West Indian Mission and Primary Health Care Suriname, Mission Aviation Fellowship started a flight service for the mission and health care in the interior. This operation took place out of the MAF base in Guyana.

In 1964, this changed when MAF started its own operation from the airfield at Zorg & Hoop. In 1982, with the establishment of MAF Suriname, the first step was made in making this service organisation a Surinamese one.

Today, MAF Suriname (SZV for short) is a fully Surinamese company collaborating with MAF in the USA.

The purpose of SZV is to encourage and motivate the churches to bring the people of interior Suriname into a living, active relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and enable the church by participating with them using our aviation, people and communication.

Churches in Suriname are still involved in mission work into the interior and the support of flights carrying pastors and evangelists is crucial. MAF’s air support is helping the Maroons and Indigenous people to strengthen their communities. MAF flights provide vital help in times of emergency as well as bringing doctors to provide medical service in the interior regions of the country where road travel is difficult and villages are hard to reach.

Key Organisations MAF Serves in Suriname

• Amazone Conservation Team
• Community Development Fund Suriname (CDFS)
• Kosindo
• Ministry of Regional Development
• Moravian Church Suriname
• PAHO
• Primary Health Care Suriname (Medische Zending)
• Worldteam USA, INC