The first time I heard about Surfaid was immediately after the Tsunami of 2004. I remember hearing stories about how these huge Humanitarian efforts from the biggest countries in the world were unable to get help to some of the hardest hit, and most remotely located areas.
Then I remembered hearing about how surfers in the wave rich region of the Mentawais were already there, taking time away from the waves to help an organization that had been there before the tsunami drew so much attention to the otherwise unknown island chain.
That organization was Surfaid, and for a few years previous to that horrible disaster they had been working hard to develop local awareness to the prevention and treatment of malaria.
Over the past 10 years, SurfAid has worked in more than 300 villages in the Mentawai and Nias island chain and also more recently in Padang, the regional capital of West Sumatra, after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck the city last September.
The organization is on a different level compared to its humble beginnings, yet it is precisely this humble beginning that has kept them true to their cause.
Surfaid is supported by names like; Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Joel Parkinson, Rob Machado, Kelly Slater, Sanoe Lake, Jack Johnson, The Malloy Brothers, Laird Hamilton, Dave Rastovich and many others.
Killer Dana wanted to join in the recognition of Surfaid’s ten year’s of service to a part of the world that has given so much to surfers. Now, when you shop at Killerdana.com, contributing to Surfaid is only one more click in the process.
We also got the chance to work directly with Surfaid, so we took advantage and asked them a couple questions. So check out how it all comes together and don’t forget to donate.
KD: Surfaid’s philosophy is based on the idea of community development. Can you explain a little bit about how that works, and how it is different from other forms of humanitarian work?
For SurfAid International the philosophy of community development is about helping people to help themselves. It works by harnessing individual potential and transforming it through education and strong partnerships into just and sustainable solutions that build better futures for all. Huge possibility lies within each of each and every one of us, no matter how isolated our community might be, or how little formal education we may have received.
Community development is about exploiting this potential and providing the right conditions for it to thrive. There is no one way to help people to a better future, and as a result there are many approaches and different strategies involved in the community development process. But, generally, before people can start to look for sustainable solutions to their existing problems, they need new skills. Or, to use community development jargon, they need to be empowered. Education and capacity building are the most effective tools for empowering people and the more that are involved in the learning process, the more powerful the change for good will be.
How does it work as far as sending a group of people into the Mentawais? How many people go or are already there? Can anyone volunteer?
SurfAid International’s field team in Indonesia of,\ around 100 people, is comprised mainly of Indonesians as they speak the language and are familiar with the communities and environments in which they work. The way SurfAid Community Based Health Programs are designed, which are focused on involving community members in the process, are not designed for an outside volunteer corps. Our volunteer programs tend to focus among our affiliates in Australia, NZ, and the United States, as well as other parts of the world to create awareness and help raise money to support the programs.
What role does surfing/surf culture play in the way your organization operates?
Surfing has been a key part of SurfAid’s culture since the beginning of the organization – it is what led Dr. Dave Jenkins to take a surf trip to the Mentawai and introduced him to the Mentawai people, mostly women and children, suffering and dying from the ravages of malaria and other preventable diseases – it was a group of surfers that started SurfAid as they realized the importance of taking action there to save lives and work to end suffering caused by preventable illness and disease – since the beginning SurfAid has largely been supported by the surfing and action sport industry and the community of surfers that surround that lifestyle – surfing is still an important part of what connects our supporters and volunteers.
Surfaid started with very little funding. Does that history play a role in the way you guys spend the money donated to you from people like Killer Dana customers?
An important goal for SurfAid is the return on investment for the donations made by our supporters including those from Killer Dana customers. This means that we focus on the programs in Indonesia andwork to keep our organization lean and efficient. Another important aspect is that money is spent on programs with long-lasting effects to better the lives of the communities now and for generations to come, which ties back into our philosophy of helping people help themselves.
How does Surfaid’s growth effect the cause that started it all in the first place? Moving beyond malaria or even to other countries?
Over the past ten years SurfAid has expanded the programs from the Mentawai to the Nias Islands off the coast of western Sumatra. The programs have also expanded to include water and sanitation, Emergency Preparedness, as well as growing the Community Based Health Programs. SurfAid has also developed a Schools Program in Australia and soon to be in the US that provides free curriculum to teachers, students and parents.
What would you tell a Killer Dana customer to convince them to donate two dollars to your cause?
Dr. Dave Jenkins- “What we do is help remote communities save their children’s lives so they not only survive but thrive. We do this by helping them change old, un-helpful but ingrained habits. Parents then teach their children these new habits like washing hands which dramatically reduces the major killer diarhea. This means that every dollar raised is guaranteed to save lives and permanently wipe out childhood suffering now and long after we have passed on. I cant think of a cooler thing to do.”
Killer Dana would like to thank the good people at Surfaid for taking the time to give us some feedback as to how they take your donations put them to good use. You can read up on more information at their very informative website.
Join the Conversation