SurfAid International

On the Mentawai Islands there are two truths to be found -- there is heavenly surf set in a dreamlike backdrop, and there are villages of people dying from malnutrition. There is a saddening irony in the relationship between the waves and the people of the Mentawais; the proximity of the greatness found in the surf and the tragedy of children dying from preventable causes.  In 1999, founder of SurfAid International Dr. Dave Jenkins (“Doctor Dave”) stepped off his chartered boat and stepped into a lifelong commitment of helping the people of the Mentawais regain the health that had been slowly disappearing from their lives.
The Mentawai people are the guardians of an island that most in the surf community would consider nirvana.  However, they are also a people stricken with illnesses that will result in nearly 50 percent of all families losing at least one child. A lack of local knowledge about nutrition and health makes the villagers susceptible to malaria, the measles, tetanus and various other diseases. Mosquitoes rampantly spread malaria within families, but aren’t recognized as the source of the problem.  The village leader or the medicine man is the provider of traditional cures, but faces an impossible battle when facing modern, potentially fatal diseases.
SurfAid was established to bridge the gap between the people of the Mentawai Islands and the resources of western medicine and education.  Only five percent of SurfAid’s staff are westerners. The heart of the non-profit organization lies with the people of the island.  From the very beginning Dr. Dave always stressed that his goal wasn’t to drop off supplies, give shots, and go back home, but instead to provide education to the community leaders so that they would be the one to turn the tide to a better life.  While the SurfAid offices can be found in Encinitas and Australia, the reality of SurfAid is found within the locals who work to spread education to their communities. The information is taught to those wanting to influence a change in their community, from the church leader to the mother of five.  In the two pilot villages that SurfAid worked in, there was a 90 percent reduction in the rate of malaria transmission.  
While that side of the organization is initiating the culture of change, the rest of SurfAid is working to fundraise for health programs and medicinal supplies. To date, SurfAid is operating in 230 villages thanks in large part to the overwhelming response from the surf community and industry. The money raised by surfers is the fuel in SurfAid’s engine, allowing them to test and run programs, spread the word, and do further fundraising. Every dollar that is donated is responsible for raising four more dollars of government grant money, taking the grassroots efforts of the staff even further. SurfAid boasts an incredible list of supporters who proudly wear the blue band around their wrist ranging from Rob Machado to Greg Noll. Jack Johnson, Emmet Malloy and Kelly Slater took the initiative in their support for SurfAid by committing a year’s worth of proceeds of September Sessions (filmed in the Mentawais) donating over $119,000.
Ultimately, the goal is to save lives. This simple fact stretches beyond the surf culture and to anyone willing to lend a hand to help another. Those who have been fortunate enough to experience the Mentawais harbor a special desire to help its inhabitants. “The waves are so perfect there, but the truth is that there are terrible health problems on the island that are killing the children.  We have to get involved because these illnesses can be easily prevented,” Rob Machado said. From donated magazine ads, to bake sales to benefit concerts, the efforts of SurfAid International are reciprocated by the many individuals and companies who want to join in on this humanitarian endeavor.      
The fight to end the needless deaths began when Dr. Dave stepped into the villages, but there is still an enormous need for support as the scale of the problem is more and more understood.  In the Mentawais there are still two truths to be found: amazing surf and suffering people.  Go to www.SurfAidInternational.org to make a change.