SurfAid International

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SurfAid International
Formation2000; 22 years ago (2000)
FounderDr. Dave Jenkins
TypeCharitable organization
HeadquartersSydney, Australia
Region
International
CEO
Douglas Lees
Websitesurfaid.org

SurfAid International (SurfAid) is an international charitable organization working in the Mentawai Islands, Nias Island, Sumba and Sumbawa in Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and Baja Sur, Mexico. SurfAid's mission is to improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of families living in isolated regions connected to people through surfing.[1]

About[]

SurfAid specializes in working in very isolated villages where the maternal and child mortality rates are some of the highest in the world. SurfAid’s overarching goal is improving mother and child health for families in remote communities.[1]

SurfAid’s global headquarters is located in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Indonesia and the United States. SurfAid is supported by board members in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.[2]

SurfAid is an official registered charity and non-profit in Australia with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), New Zealand with the New Zealand Charities Services, and in the USA with the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).[3]

History[]

SurfAid was founded in 2000 by Dr. Dave Jenkins of New Zealand. In 1999 he was on a surfing trip in the Mentawai Islands and was confronted by the significant health issues faced by the local people.[4]

SurfAid’s early efforts were focussed on providing health education to the people and mosquito nets to prevent the spread of malaria.[5]

SurfAid came to international attention after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake when it provided medical aid to its victims. It was able to reach people on small islands, who were among the hardest hit, because it used small boats and its people were familiar with the area. SurfAid received financial aid from the government of Australia and from individual and corporate donors.[6]

In 2007 SurfAid announced a multi-year project to control malaria throughout the Mentawai Islands in cooperation with the Indonesian government and UNICEF.[7]

In 2009 SurfAid was expanding its work into the nearby Nias Islands, had received several international awards, and was receiving donations of about $3 million per year from private and corporate donors, most involved in the sport of surfing.[8]

Current work[]

Since 2011, SurfAid has focused on Mother and Child Health (MCH).[3] Most of the diseases that cause mortality and morbidity in children, mothers, and pregnant women are preventable with appropriate sanitation, access to clean water, improved nutrition and antenatal care. SurfAid focuses on simple solutions to bring a healthy future to all women and their families.[9]

SurfAid believes that Mother and Child Health is only improved if:

  • basic health structures are in place;
  • staff and community health volunteers are well trained, adequately equipped, able and motivated to deliver health services;
  • women are empowered;
  • there is an enabling environment to support and foster behaviour change; and
  • there is sustained access to food crops for consumption (either by growing them, or having enough financial means to buy them).[9]

SurfAid’s programs are designed with complete handover to the communities as the end goal. They work to facilitate and support all the different actors and institutions, to ensure the right environment is created for improved mother and child health outcomes SurfAid is committed to a 'hand up, not a handout' philosophy, with a focus on empowering and supporting local communities to enrich their own lives, and increase their choices and possibilities for realising their own potential.[9]

Fundraising[]

The ‘SurfAid Cup’ competitions are SurfAid’s signature fundraiser events, annually held at multiple locations each year. Contest sites include Bondi, Manly and in Australia, and Santa Cruz, Malibu, San Diego and Surf Ranch in the USA. Entrants compete in a tag-team style surf competition to raise critical funds for SurfAid’s work.[10] Current and former professional surfers including Layne Beachley, Ace Buchan, Matt Wilkinson, Connor O'Leary and Felicity Palmateer have taken part in past events.

2021 saw the launch of SurfAid’s ‘Make A Wave’ campaign. In September 2021 rookies and pros alike were encouraged to surf for 30 days straight to make an impact for SurfAid. 1,280 from around the world took part, raising $736,941 to support SurfAid’s programs in remote surf communities.[11] Billabong were the major sponsor for the campaign, with their team riders including world champion Mark Occhilupo, big wave surfer Laura Enever, and World Surf League tour competitor Isabella Nichols.[12]

Accreditation[]

SurfAid received base accreditation from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in 2013 and was awarded full accreditation status in 2019, and has therefore access to the Australian NGO Development Fund (ANCP).[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "About". surfaid.org. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  2. ^ "Where we work". surfaid.org. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  3. ^ a b c "Annual Reports". surfaid.org. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  4. ^ Brummitt, Chris; Mason, Margie (April 1, 2005). "Surfing doctors group expands efforts in response to quake, tsunami". The Seattle Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Graham-Gungoren, Bridget (January 5, 2005). "SurfAid International providing medical attention in Indonesia after tsunami". Malibu Times. Archived from the original on 2006-06-14.
  6. ^ "California Coastal Commission,City Council,Malibu Beaches". 2006-06-14. Archived from the original on 14 June 2006. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  7. ^ "SurfAid International launches biggest program in its history". Transworld Business. The Enthusiast Network. March 13, 2007. Archived from the original on 2014-11-09.
  8. ^ Care surfs in to give islanders a fresh shot at health, The Australian, September 12, 2009
  9. ^ a b c "Programs". surfaid.org. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  10. ^ "SurfAid Cup". surfaid.org. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  11. ^ "Make A Wave". makeawave.com.au. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  12. ^ "SurfAid: Make A Wave". Carvemag.com. 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

External links[]

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