Meaning ‘broken chains’ in Sranantongo, Keti Koti commemorates the 1863 abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Dutch Antilles, celebrating the people who fought for abolition, and the rich cultures that have persevered and flourished.  

Suriname nowadays is a country with many varied backgrounds, including refugees from Venezuela, Haiti and Cuba who have sought asylum in the country, due to persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity and political repression. Currently over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, and women and girls are particularly vulnerable. 

In 2023, Filling Pieces and KLABU came together to initiate a project in Suriname with positive impact. During Keti Koti, many people supported by wearing the specially designed 'United Spirit' shirt. To celebrate Keti Koti 2024 and find more supporters for the project, a new capsule collection will be released by Filling Pieces and KLABU on 27 June.

Community Tennis Suriname has been running since 2012, and serves as a focal point for local unity, empowerment and community engagement. The impact is incredible. In the next 5 years the club aims to offer 6,000 young people playful ways to live positive lives - but they cannot do this alone. The existing facilities and grounds need renovation and upgrading to reach more young tennis players and enable them to improve their skills and progress. 

Suriname Spirit will also provide the chance to borrow sports equipment, watch live broadcast events, listen to music and relax. It will be run by local coaches who will manage the sports library, organise events and take community ownership. We want to create 7 paid jobs, promoting dignified employment opportunities and strengthening capacity in a healthy setting.

Although we are still finding support to be able to set up the clubhouse, the impact of the partnership has already begun, through the organisation in April 2024 of a tennis tournament with over 100 children from local schools who’d never picked up a racket before. Alongside this, Filling Pieces facilitated art & design workshops with the children.

The goals are to improve children's physical and mental well-being, promote self-reliance, and for the clubhouse to represent a place to simply hang out and have fun. Suriname Spirit also aims to support the social inclusion and integration of asylum seekers and migrants from around the capital Paramaribo. To make this happen, we are working alongside UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Suriname.

Wearing either the Kids or Adult Shirt or the Coach Jacket below, you'll be helping the development of this wonderful project to become something even bigger and better. The collection is available online and through our respective stores as of 27 June 2024.