Financial Crisis 📉 Hanging On By A Thread In Suriname
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Suriname's financial crisis has only worsened since things took a turn for the worse shortly after our arrival roughly 2 years ago.
WESTERN UNION'S BROKE, & CRYPTO CAN'T SAVE US
Food prices are skyrocketing, cash is getting more and more scarce, and even Western Union is barely functional, having now capped payouts at $200. Those who have a bank account in Suriname are now restricted to $100 USD maximum per week withdrawal, very worrisome in a country where people are accustomed to lifestyles much more expensive than this.
Even though cryptocurrency is an amazing technology, it doesn't solve any of our day-to-day problems, other than build a monetary asset that's expensive to access. Accessing any kind of funds lately just to purchase rice, beans, vegetables, and pay rent, has proved nothing short of impossible.
Our landlords in particular have a very expensive lifestyle, and with the loss of a few renters lately, we have now become a vital financial resource to them, and they've made it clear that we are not be even a day late with our rent for any reason.
With this in mind, I headed to Western Union a few days before rent was due, just to insure enough time to get the regular $400 USD, the previous maximum, which leaves us with $125 spending money after our $275 rent is paid. Monkey-B is the only one that likes to join me on adventures into town, so of course she came along.
Our arrival at Western Union was disappointing, especially after pedaling 7km through floodwater nearly a meter deep in many places. Not only was Western Union out of money, the new limit is $200 per payout, so that means I'll be making these mostly fruitless trips more often.
There's talk that this hyperinflation is going to lead to a full economic collapse, and although I try to remain optimistic for my family, I'm no longer as hopeful as I used to be. As much as we want to remain a united family, there is nowhere else for us to go during this pandemic other than back to our home countries.
This would mean my wife and kids return to Cambodia while I would return to the USA with no idea when we can ever be together again. Hive is the only work around here, and last month I made less than $300 blogging and curating, so we only earn enough to survive and nothing else, a very boring life. Combined with my wife's earnings, we probably have a net household income of -$50 per month.
We can't afford for things to get much worse, but I try not to tell my family too much of the happenings here for fear of causing undue stress. I remain a goofy Dad determined to provoke a smile or laugh whenever I can, as it seems I am powerless in all other things these days. After finding a patch of dry road, Monkey-B de-biked for some style shots, which both got us giggling and took our minds off the crisis we are facing.
Please send good vibes our way, we'll take all we can get at this time.
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I use PayPal for accepting online teaching payments, but ultimately this is a cash economy, especially now with all the banks limiting withdrawals and the Western Union shortages. The biggest problem is the step from having digital money to having Suriname dollars at exchange rate that is somewhat fair.
I can't return to Cambodian nor emigrate to anywhere in the world because of the way COVID-19 has changed visa policies. We can't go the USA either, at least not for a year or two, so whatever happens here is something we'll have to live through. If there was a smidgeon of respect for governments left in me, that is gone after our experience here.
Right now there is no imaginary line I wouldn't illegally cross to give my family a better life. !ENGAGE 35
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So, with COVID, even other places are now not possible? I think Ethiopia was under consideration at one point for you. That's such a shame. Places are beginning to open again here, but very slowly and cautiously, so maybe it won't be too long before other countries follow suit.
ENGAGEtokens.Sorry to hear you're having a tough time at the moment. It's harder to see a way out when you're feeling down.
Suriname doesn't sound a very nurturing place and that doesn't help.
I hope you can at least sort out your rent in the next couple of days.
Sending love to you all.
!LUV
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Yeah, it's tough situation right now, but we are pretty resilient. On the upside rent is paid after 5 straight days of cycling and waiting at various Western Unions. The worst is when you wait in line for 2 hours and they run out of money right as you get to the door. Thanks for keeping is in positive thoughts. !ENGAGE 25
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Great news you've got the rent paid even if it was a bit torturous. 😊
!ENGAGE 20
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I just did a duckduck search for "Suriname financial collapse" and your post was the third one down. Well done on getting the news out three and Hive out there. Looks like it's not being talked about much yet.
If your landlords are relying on you, then as long as you bring in money, you should have the upper hand. I think they can handle giving you a bit of leeway if they don't want to lose another renter.
It's bizarre, but most of the detailed news stories are in Dutch, very little gets translated for an international audience. Strangely enough, a friend in Holland keeps me updated on what's going on here. Good news is they are paid, bad news is we're without cooking gas 5 days already. Country is now out of EUROS and USD during record flood levels, now only mangoes are available to buy around us.
Things are bad, can't even forage because the flooding has destroyed everything, even the farms. It's a fight for survival here, and it felt that way on the streets today, CODE PURPLE is the name of the game now, worst lockdown yet. !ENGAGE 40
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ENGAGEtokens.Apparently this video is even on page 1 of google search results for "suriname financial collapse". That wasn't my intention, but strangely enough the Ecency link is what's showing on google, and I never publish through that frontend.
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I am so sorry to hear that things are getting worse.
I could hear the animals and such in the background, does that rooster go on all day?
Sending you blessings, know htat you have people in California rooting for your family.
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CODE PURPLE has been a beast so far. Funny how the various animal noises have become white noise to us. Well, if we ever make it to the USA, California is on our list for opportunities, the Khmer communities there have a lot of folks who've been living on green cards for 20+ years because they can't pass the English test.
I'm just the guy who can teach them, and it would be fun to teach in the USA, something I've never done before. !ENGAGE 20
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ENGAGEtokens.In these stressful times, we only have the words to persevere and be patient, waiting for the best time ahead. Love You!
You are stronger than you know, sorry for all the stress this journey has put you through. !ENGAGE 15
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ENGAGEtokens.I really wish the situation gets better for you and your family.
Hang-in there. What do you think might make the country's situation any better?
Cheers,
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I am hoping for better days real soon, but for now the rains continue, the food gets scarcer, and it's CODE PURPLE lockdown until June 18th. I have no idea what could improve the situation here, but definitely the communities need to be more independent like in Cambodia, our former home.
Surinamers love bedroom communities, and we unfortunately live in one, a place where you really should own a car, but we don't. I think this country should stop copying western lifestyle and and try to emulate Southeast Asia, but that's a very biased opinion. !ENGAGE 15
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ENGAGEtokens.I saw this last night before I went to bed. I had some crazy dreams with you guys in it. Sreypov was picking me up in a car and we were going to go to your second home in another part of town. We just couldn't get there before I woke up.
Can you not send an E transfer to your landlord from your account if you have it on line? I am sure you have thought of everything I guess. It's such a crappy situation.
Sending you all blessings
We tried a transfer but he's uninterested because he can only withdraw a $100 USD per week here, so he'd rather have cash in hand, so he wouldn't give me his bank account info. The next three weeks are likely going to get worse, so be ready for the ranting to get potentially more extreme.
I'm gonna try and dream about Canadian house tonight, make-believe is a manifestation. Much love from Suriname. !ENGAGE 40
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ENGAGEtokens.Take my vote away! That's the least I can do. Reading this brought tears to my eyes, and I'd say I'm grateful for what's not happening in my home country. Pandemic suck, politic make it worse. Keep your chin up and I will pray for the best of you and your family.
Thanks for the kind words my friend, they do actually provide much morale. Living in fear of COVID is not something I've had the opportunity to do yet. The social, financial, and food chain problems are what drive our daily decisions at this time. !ENGAGE 25
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ENGAGEtokens.I would gladly be that "worrysome".
I live in Hungary, and my pension-like income is approximately $250 USD per month (!), and nowadays I also work in a 4 hours part time job, but my income still does not reach the local minimum wage, which is approximately $550 USD per month.
That's a tight situation for you, I assume the part-time hob is able to fill in the financial gap a bit. I think most small families here probably spend around a $1,000 USD per month, just my uneducated guess. However, two years ago, half that amount would've bought you what $1,000 will now. !ENGAGE 30
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ENGAGEtokens.