Sanoe Lake Interview.
- Why do you feel concerned about SURFAID?
If we as surfers can travel to these beautiful far away places to experience the stoke of the amazing waves there and not do something to help the villages and people who are dying from incredibly preventable causes I would be embarressed to call myself a surfer. Especially when Surfaid makes helping out a possibility. Sometimes I travel to places and get overwhelmed because I don't know how I can help. Surfaid has made helping out possible for anyone who wants to get involved. I believe Gods love works through us all if we are simply willing to be open vessels. Any simple act of kindness no matter how great or small will never return void. Surfaid is a perfect example of love in action.
- Was this sort of experience new for you?
I have done humanitarian trips before, yet every time I go on a trip, the experience is always raw for me, as if for the first time. Perhaps because everytime I go on trips like this I meet new people, and see new faces with similar difficulties and always suffering. There is often a lot of sadness yet it is incredible to see the great hope in their spirits when they understand that there are people out there in the world that do care about them, help is on its way and change is absolutely happening.
- Concretely, what did you provide to those people ?
I do my best to provide my attention, my time, my writing and my efforts to raise awareness of the issues going on in hopes of getting more people on board to help, whether it be through physically going out there or simply getting online to make a financial contribution at surfaidinternational.org
Its very easy and anyone can do it. In the end, good intentions are not enough. I really do hope people will take it from awareness into action.
- What did this experience bring to you?
It was a blessing and a reality check. We have it so good here in the US its crazy. I was reminded of so many of little things that I take for granted, like clean running water, electricity, bathrooms...the list goes on and on. We truly should never complain, yet somehow its an easy thing to forget. I hope I always remember how blessed I am.
- Would you be ready to repeat this sort of experience?
Absolutely
Keala Kennely Interview.
“The best thing that SURFAID provides for these people is education”
- Why do you feel concerned about SURFAID?
I have been travelling to Mentawais for a few years now and for many of those years I had no idea how bad the living conditions were for the people that lived there.
SURFAID is a non-profit organization that works with the community in these poverty stricken island villages in the mentawais.
- Was this sort of experience new for you? Have you ever experienced something similar before?
No, never experienced anything like it. We went into this village that had no running water or electricity. It was so primitive.
- Concretely, what did you provide to those people ?
The best thing that SURFAID provides for these people is education. We sat in on a group workshop where the women of the village were being taught proper hygiene in order to cut down on cross contamination. Many people die in the mentawais (mostly children) of preventable diseases like diareah. A lot of the children are malnourished because the parents have no idea what a balanced diet is. Then of course there is the malaria epidemic a disease that can be fatal yet preventable with the use of mosquito nets.
- What did this experience bring to you?
It brought me hope for these people. It made me feel like there are worthwhile organizations out there that truly care for people and want to help.
- Would you be ready to repeat this sort of experience?
Absolutely. This is a very worthwhile cause. If everybody did their part to help people in need, the world would be a much better place for all of us.