The definition of happiness

Selwin decided to build his modern kunuku

Selwin decided to build his modern kunuku

"In my own 'hofi', I feel happy. I feel like a farmer. I love my garden, my corn and every plant that is edible." Selwin is born in Curacao but has lived in the Netherlands for 15 years. The people surrounding him thought he had it all, but still he felt that he wanted to go back to Curaçao. "Every fiber in my body told me I had to go 'out of this' and go to Curaçao to experience something new. To be honest, it wasn't easy. But I knew it would all turn out well. I don't…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – Feeling content with what you have

The Definition of Happiness – Feeling content with what you have

"You never really know for sure whether you are happy. It all comes down to your own meaning of happiness. What is happiness? Everyone has a different definition of happiness. But as for myself I think I have never been happier than now. Actually since I started studying and since I can make my own decisions in life, I feel happy." Meet Eline, a 23 year old Dutch student who lives in Surinam at the moment for an internship. I met Eline during my trip to Surinam last august and talked to her about…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – The smallest thing can be the most exciting experience

The Definition of Happiness – The smallest thing can be the most exciting experience

Chiwa is born in Zimbabwe but lives in Surinam. Chiwa loves to travel and has lived in different cities in different parts of the world. I met him during my trip last august and talked to him about his own happiness and the differences between happiness in Surinam and other countries. During the interview, Chiwa tells me he feels very happy and grateful because of the privileged upbringing he has had. He realizes that a lot of things worked out for him. At the moment, he continues, his life in Surinam feels like a holiday. His…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – Pekula helps Maroon women to make a living

The Definition of Happiness – Pekula helps Maroon women to make a living

 "I discovered that happiness is something you can create and I decided to create my own happiness by doing something I really like. At this moment I can say that I feel very happy." Meet Pekula Starke, a 30 year old Surinamese woman who used to live in the Netherlands. When I ask her what she means by doing something she really likes, Pekula starts to smile and her eyes become full of joy. "I decided to move to Surinam to start doing something more creative and satisfying. In the Netherlands this was something…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – The mirror reflects your happiness

The Definition of Happiness – The mirror reflects your happiness

One year ago, Evita Sanches didn't feel happy at all. At the time she worked for a Spanish company in Morocco and unfortunately the project she was working on ended earlier than expected. Although she thought she left the Netherlands for good and sold all her belongings, Evita had to go back to the Netherlands. The future was one big question mark and she didn't know where to go: stay in Holland, move to Curaçao where her mother lives or go back to Surinam where her roots are buried. Evita decided to stay in the Netherlands to think…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – Money and food, that’s what makes people happy

The Definition of Happiness – Money and food, that’s what makes people happy

Close friends Jürgen and Gabriela live in Paramaribo, the capital of Surinam. Jürgen is a local and Gabriela is raised in the Netherlands and currently living in Surinam to do an internship. Both look pretty happy and - not surprisingly - the two also tell me that they feel very happy. When I ask them what makes them happy they reply that their happiness comes from freedom, for instance the freedom to enjoy the stunning nature of Surinam, together with their friends. This is something the two know how to put into practice: together with their…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – Happiness in Surinam

The Definition of Happiness – Happiness in Surinam

I arrived in Surinam on the 11th of August. It was nighttime when I arrived so I couldn't see a lot of Surinam during my ride to the apartment. One of my friends in Curacao introduced me to some of his friends in Paramaribo. As soon as I arrived, they immediately asked me to join them for some drinks at Zanzibar, a bar in the center of Paramaribo. This was a very welcoming experience to say the least. Food is happiness The next day one of them, Gabriela, showed me around. Gabriela is…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – Andy Kirchner

The Definition of Happiness – Andy Kirchner

What if life knocks you down? Andy Kirchner knows like no one else. On the 19th of may 2012 his life changed drastically. Andy and his girlfriend had a scuba diving accident at Marie Pompoen, Curaçao. His girlfriend died not long after the accident because of a pulmonary embolism and Andy was stricken with the caisson disease and a spinal injury which paralyzed his lower body. According to the doctors, Andy would have to accept the fact that he would never walk again. "If i want to get out of this bed, I have…lees verder →
The Definition of Happiness – “Just do good”

The Definition of Happiness – “Just do good”

Sometimes you meet people who instantly make you feel happy and loved. Well... Titiana Rach is one of them. For 'The Definition of Happiness' we had the chance to talk to this warmhearted lady. Titiana works as a pedagogical worker in the St. Elisabeth Hospital (Sehos) in Curaçao. She also was a Cliniclown and is the treasurer of Mucha pa Mucha, a foundation that tries to make the children's ward at the Sehos hospital even more child friendly. To Titiana happiness is living a meaningful life. What makes her most happy is helping children.…lees verder →
  • 1
  • 2