BECAUSE SURFERS REALLY DO CARE!

SURF AID INTERNATIONAL IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION WHO ARE HELPING THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE MENTAWAI ISLANDS, INDONESIA. THEIR MISSION IS TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE MENTAWAI PEOPLE, AND TO ENCOURAGE AND COORDINATE THE SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL SURFING COMMUNITY.

Like so many visitors to foreign lands we feel a need to contribute something in return for our unique and enriching experiences.

Together with an impassioned, motivated, and talented team of volunteers and supporters the SAI journey has begun.

We've all seen the Mentawai Islands, their waves are regularly shredded by the worlds' best pro's and reproduced in the pages of international surfing mag's. What we don't see, just metres from these primo breaks, are the sick and dying locals.

• In the worst areas 50% of Mentawai children will die before the age of 5
• Up to 65% of families have lost at least one child
• At any time up to 50% of Mentawai people carry the Malaria parasite, an unrelenting disease that if left untreated, can kill.
• Almost all childhood deaths are from preventable and treatable diseases such as measles, tetanus, malaria and diarrhea.

The Mentawai's own, under resourced health system is in urgent need of doctors, nurses, training, and medical supplies.

Surf Aid International have developed four individual projects in response to this situation. Malaria control, immunization and childhood monitoring, health worker training and provision of medical supplies.

On every booking for the Mentawai Islands, STC add $30 that is passed onto Surf Aid International. Essentially this means that every passenger that travels to the Mentawai's through STC is helping the Mentawai people...

If you want to do more than that, and help to keep these sustainable health programmes working and growing, you can become a member of Surf Aid, or make a donation.

For more info, visit www.surfaidinternational.org

Surfers have been enjoying Mentawai waves for years, now it's time to give something back!