Jermain Tjin-A-Koeng, Co founder Tropical Beauties Suriname

Storytime with Jermain Tjin-A-Koeng, co-founder Miss and Mister Tropical Beauties Suriname.

Jermain Tjin- A- Koeng  with  Mr. and Mrs. Tropical beauties participants in fashionable Pangi clothing

                                         Who is Jermain Tjin- A- Koeng ?

I have been meaning to interview Jermain for quite a while now. Because to me, he seems to be an interesting person. If you have him on Facebook he comes over as a guy who isn't afraid to express himself.  And that is something I and the readers at storytime certainly appreciate. I finally got the chance to do this interview and for all the right reasons  Jermain was very nice and helpful to part take in this edition of storytime so that you the readers can get the know Jermain Tjin- A-Koeng a little better. 

Jermain Tjin-A - Koeng

For those of you who aren't' t familiar with Jermain Tjin - A- Koeng, I asked him to tell us a little bit more about himself. This is what Jermain had to say; " My name is Jermain Tjin-A-Koeng I am 36 years old born and raised in beautiful Paramaribo Suriname. I love to travel and also like to enjoy nature as much as I can. I stand for equal rights no matter your gender, color, political or religious background. I think everyone deserves an equal opportunity and a second chance in life." Jermain plays an important role in the organization of Mr and Miss Tropical Beauties.  " My role in the Miss and Mister Tropical beauties Suriname Pageant, first of all, I am the co-founder of the organization called The foundation Beauties of Suriname Pageant which organizes these two pageants. I am a board member of the foundation and when it comes to training I train the candidates in public speaking and for the past few years I have been intensely training with the winners to prepare them for Mr and Miss Supranational pageant in Poland."

Jermain Tjin -A-Koeng with Mr and Miss Tropical Beauties Suriname

Jermain has been traveling with the winners of Mr and Miss Tropical Beauties Suriname since 2015 and tries to make it every year to emotionally and mentally support and assist the Surinamese beauties with training and preparation.  He has a lot of memories with each of the Surinamese Tropical beauties, but he thinks the best memory is the joy he gets to see on their face when they finally get to go home. By now you must be wondering what skills one needs to have to compete in The Tropical beauties pageant? Jermain says "  What is required is not really a skill, but I do expect the next Miss or Mister to be confident.  Being confident comes from yourself and is something you need to have when entering the Miss or Mister pageant. Of course, there are more criteria's but confidence is key. Jermain Tjin-A-Koeng also advises those who want to compete in the pageant in the future" Be prepared when you enter. Have your research done in advance and know the main reason why you are entering a pageant.  Because the number one question that will be asked to you is why do you want to enter or compete in this pageant? If you can answer this question with 100 % confidence then you are ready to enter the pageant."   The reason Jermain thinks it is important for the Surinamese people to keep supporting the tropical beauties pageant is "  Suriname should be more supportive of the candidates participating in Mr and Miss Tropical beauties Suriname because these young men and women are entering with a purpose to enrich and better their own lives and personal growth. They are also becoming ambassadors for themselves, their neighborhoods, districts, and ultimately their country. " In all these years working alongside the Tropical Beauties Suriname Jermain has learned some important lessons he would like to share with us. " There are a few lessons you learn, first of all, you become a little tough as a person. Saying no to someone who really wants to be a part of the Miss or Mister Tropical Beauties Suriname program is tough. It's not to be mean but you sometimes see that the person isn't ready or does not meet the requirements.  Some give up immediately or try again next year as we sometimes tell them to.  Another lesson learned is to never judge a book by its cover.  You never know what the person in front of you is able to do unless you get to know them better.  And I think a third lesson is second chances. People use these platforms to better themselves in some way possible and using the Miss or Mister Tropical beauties platform to better yourself as a person and to use this platform as a spoke person for others could be the best award to give yourself. Better than winning the crown or main title, and that is the best reward."

Jermain Tjin -A-Koeng, co founder Tropical beauties Suriname

                                   Jermain and the L.G.B.T community Suriname

As you have noticed up until now there is more to Jermain than that meets the eye. This ambitious and creative young man was active in the L.G.B .T. community as most of you probably already know.  Jermain says " I am still active if I can help in a way but with my work and time the pageant takes away from me I had to cut down on L.G.B.T activism.  But I still promote it even though the Miss and Mister Tropical beauties Suriname pageant.  We at the foundation support equality and we support the L.G.B .T  pride month in our way.  To community members L.G.B.T.  I have a message of unity. We are a small visible community with allies, but we can't rely on the allies to fight our battles. We need to do it ourselves we need to unite and respect each other and then from there on our voices will be heard. Do not sit at the sideline and watch, be at the center because in the end the outcome of our activism also benefits you as an L.G.B.T community member.

A picture of Jermain Tjin-A-Koeng

                                          What more can we learn about Jermain Tjin-A-Koeng?

Jermain his hobbies are pageants, movies and he recently started going back to the gym. He likes food and loves to travel to get to know new countries and cultures.  As far as his role models go Jermain says "  Cliche answer but I look up to my parents as role models. Then I have to say I have a few but there are so many. Because each person brings something unique you can learn from and adapt to your own personal and professional growth. " Jermain is known to be a fashion lover. But he himself says " Well I love fashion not sure if I am a fashion lover per se, but I think Suriname needs to be more open to what is happening in the fashion industry internationally.  We must also not forget we have some amazing materials we can work with within our own country. For example, at the last Miss Tropical beauties pageant, we have showcased some beautiful designs made from the Pangi. So I hope in the next ten years we will see Suriname embrace a mix of modern and traditional wear. Where I see myself in the future is a good question with a difficult answer. Because I can say something now and end up doing something entirely different in the next years. I live for the present and for now, that is the path I will follow.  For 2019 I want to work on my personal and professional development." If Jermain could travel back 10 years in time the advice he would give to his younger self would be: "Never give up no matter how hard the situation gets"

A picture of Jermain Tjin -A-Koeng in the gym