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Christian Liberty Academy
of Paramaribo 

Christian Liberty Academy, which includes all grades from kindergarten through grade 12, has become an institution in Suriname. It is the largest English-language school (300+ students) in this Dutch-speaking country and uses a Christ-centered, biblical curriculum. Its students come from around the world as many embassies and internationals enroll their children. Those who transfer to other schools and colleges often receive scholarships, generally outperforming their peers when placed in schools in the U.S. and Canada. Some parents have even sent children back to Suriname from abroad due to the better quality of education received. We continue to hear from graduates who, through their studies at CLA, have become believers and are diligently seeking to live a Christian life in various studies and jobs.

As much as possible, the school employs local teachers who generally are taught pedagogic skills by the school. Since 1983, it has been self-supporting in its internal finances, even paying back money borrowed from abroad to purchase an adjacent piece of property and to build seven additional classrooms. It is gradually becoming a model for the concept that God will enable Christian ministries on the mission field to break the tradition of financial dependency upon their foreign founders. (One recent exception to its financial self-support rule came about because of a major fire in March, 2003, which required the school to seek outside assistance in the rebuilding of its main administrative, residence, church and chapel building. For more information, click here.)

The Executive Staff

Rev. Rudy Poettcker pictured with his wife Sharilyn, is the Headmaster of Christian Liberty Academy. He came to Suriname in 1994 first as a teacher and helper, then as Assistant Headmaster, and finally as Headmaster. In addition to the function as Headmaster, Rev. Poettcker also serves as co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Paramaribo (which is a member of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church).  He resided in Suriname from 1994 till 2006 and during that time, commuted to and from the United States.  He currently resides in Palm Bay, Florida and commutes four times a year for 3-4 weeks each trip to Suriname.	Rev. Asgar Hamid met his wife Nirmala (pictured with their children) when they were both students at Christian Liberty Academy. At the time, he intended to become an airline pilot but God changed his mind after he began working at the school as an administrative trainee. Graduating from that position to teacher while continuing to grow in his administrative responsibilities, he is now the Administrator of the school. Along with serving at the school, he also has been in seminary studies and was ordained in 2002 and called to be pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Paramaribo, which meets at the school chapel. Nirmala also works for the school as the bookkeeper.
	Rev. Geoffrey Donnan, pictured here with his wife Nancy, was the founder of the school in 1979. He and his wife both taught and administrated the school from the years of 1979-1986. He remained Headmaster of the school from 1978 to 2004, when he relinquished his responsibilities to Rev. Rudy Poettcker. He serves as Headmaster Emeritus, and also is the Chairman of the Board of the Stichting: Caribbean Christian Ministries (a non-profit foundation registered in Suriname — #89) which legally oversees the school. Among other responsibilities he has with the school are that of overseeing the funding of the rebuilding after the 2003 fire. He is also at present, the webmaster for this website. He and his wife presently reside in Fellsmere, Florida where he is the Executive Director of Reformation Christian Ministries, an offshoot of the ministry begun in Suriname. He also is co-pastor of The King's Reformed Presbyterian Church in Palm Bay, Florida.

Outside Tour of the School Facilities

Main building	Students in front of main building on the first day of school.
Main building from different angle.	To the left of the main building, students can be seen going to the secondary level classes which are housed to the left as well as in the main building.
Main building seen from Loorweg (sidestreet)  that divides our campus. Second story houses several classrooms, the Headmaster's office, and residences for both local staff and foreign teachers and assistants.	Side street (Loorweg) that divides our two campus properties.
Another view from side street.	View from other campus property. Path in the foreground is a jogging trail around that campus.
Side and back of building. Balcony is for staff residence.	Canadian teacher's assistant helps out a local teacher in one of the elementary school classes.
Canadian teacher's assistant helps out in another elementary school classroom.	Teacher in 6th grade.
Cars picking up students students after school. Picture taken from the balcony of the main building looking across the small street (Loorweg) that divides the school's two properties.
School Administrator's House with class rooms beneath.
Rev. Hamid is a graduate of CLA and has worked up through the ranks to become Administrator of the school. His house is on the school compound. To the right of his house can be seen the secondary school building. The front of his house is facing the side of the new school building.	Immediately behind his house are additional classrooms which extend the entire back of the home. The addition is that portion that is above the car parked. This enabled him to gain an an office at his home. The newer school building can be seen to the left of his house in the distance across a small road called Loorweg.
	School rooms are both beneath and to the back of his home.

More of our Tour will soon be completed as we secure more photos and have more time. 

Until then, please take a tour through the 2003-2005 Fire Report to gain a look into some of these.

Christian Liberty Academy Invites Interested People to Help in Education

We are unable to find sufficient number of suitable local people, especially for teaching High School courses. Therefore, each year, we need help to cover this shortage of personnel. While we are able to adapt to particular abilities and interests, we regularly look for help in these areas:

• The most urgent is for help in Senior High school higher maths and sciences.

• Help in High School English, grades 9 to 12.

• Help in Junior High; various subjects (science, English, theology, math).

• Help in the library and assisting Kindergarten and Elementary teachers.

Interested individuals should plan for a minimum of one year of service, and need to contact RCM well in advance of the new school year, which begins in August. For more information on this need, click here. To download a bulletin for advertising this need in your church and/or school or to pass on to an interested friend, click here [pdf].