SurfAid Brings Aid to Remote Indonesian Villages

SurfAid is a non-profit humanitarian organization that seeks to improve the well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. SurfAid's story began in 1999, when physician and surfer Dr. Dave Jenkins headed to the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia to find the perfect waves. One day, Jenkins went into a village and ended up running a clinic at the chief's request. He was the first doctor ever to visit the remote community, where he witnessed women and children dying from malnutrition, malaria, and poor living standards – things that were not only treatable, but also completely preventable with practices such as basic hygiene and proper breastfeeding.

The scene stayed with Jenkins for the rest of his surfing trip and even after he returned to Singapore where he worked. Deciding that he couldn't just walk away from what he saw, he vowed to go back to Mentawai with people and supplies. After resigning from his job, Jenkins went home to New Zealand and called upon his close friends, Dr. Steve Hathaway and lawyer Phil Dreifuss. Together, they recruited a local surfing crew to meet the quorum of 25 people that was needed to register as a legal non-profit in New Zealand. SurfAid was officially founded in January of 2000 and has since delivered its programs in the Mentawai Islands, Nias Island, Banyak Islands, and Telo Island, all of which are home to ancient cultures.

Today, SurfAid has offices in New Zealand, Australia, the US, and Indonesia. More than 95 percent of the organization's program staff are Indonesian nationals who work closely with the communities to prevent disease and bring about positive, sustainable health changes, all while respecting the culture and customs of the islands. SurfAid's community-based health programs include nutrition education, water and sanitation, mosquito net distribution, and emergency preparedness.