About Us

Welcome to Our HERitage, where we celebrate the diversity of our Caribbean foremothers. Our project focuses on personal attention and dedication to quality. With participants from 12 regions and representation from 11 subgroups, we strive for a diverse approach with individual portraits.

Fausia S. Abdul began writing for a local newspaper at the age of 15 about social justice and the world around her. During her studies, she focused on the role of women in American revolutions and the Arab Spring. Driven by the discovery that women were often only seen as victims, she delved further into their strength. With more than 12 years of foreign experience and governmental work, she became -- in a painful way -- increasingly aware of her own Caribbean roots. In 2021, she had the desire to make this history accessible to everyone, which led to her focus on culinary traditions in Suriname and the Guyanas: The Culinary Historibbean and an upcoming book.

After experiencing severe government discrimination by the Dutch government in 2022-3, it was enough. The stacks of papers were taken off the shelf again, and Our HERitage was written in the middle of the night behind my laptop. I wanted to share another perspective with my fellow civil servants and citizens, so that one knows about whom you speak and decides. One that was substantiated by research and with a diverse group of Caribbean Dutch people who would work together. Bringing forward perspectives that have been in the shadows for too long.

In 2023, Fausia came back to the Netherlands and soon came into contact with the Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie that reacted with enthusiasm to her project and the partners. Fausia then started putting together the Our HERitage team and so she came (again) into contact with old and new connections, each contributing with their own unique voice and perspective. Read more about the interesting backgrounds of the Team, Academic Review Committee and otherSupporters. 

Together we now form a team with diverse Surinamese/Caribbean backgrounds, ideas and expertise, determined to bring forward the strength and diversity of Caribbean women through historical portraits.