SurfAid Humanitarians of the Year Recognized

SHANE DORIAN AND KELLY SLATER NAMED SURFAID HUMANITARIANS OF THE YEAR

Legendary big wave rider Shane Dorian, and 11 time World Champion Kelly Slater were recently awarded SurfAid’s highest honor – Humanitarians of the Year. The award recognizes individuals who make an exceptional contribution on behalf of SurfAid’s mission. With the help of Kelly and Shane, SurfAid saves and improves the lives of women and children living in remote villages in Indonesia close to some of the world’s most iconic surf breaks. Shane and Kelly supported SurfAid through their joint 2016 Omaze fundraising campaign, which generated over $75,000 in revenue for SurfAid’s Mother and Child Health Programs.

SurfAid Founder, Dr. Dave Jenkins, is honored to recognize them for their support. “Shane and Kelly have been long time supporters of SurfAid. In addition to raising funds for our programs, the Omaze campaign raised much needed awareness. The perception of living in what appears to be paradise in remote island communities is really different to the reality. Many communities lack clean water, basic healthcare and sanitation, yet they are the playground for the global surf community. For Shane and Kelly to use their position to help moms and babies thrive and survive, shows the type of character they have. They are extremely deserving of this honor and on behalf of SurfAid, I am stoked to recognize them for their support.”

Shane accepted the award on their behalf at the 2016 SurfAid Cup Malibu Kick-Off Party on Friday, September 9 at Duke’s Malibu.

About SurfAid:
SurfAid’s core mission is to save the lives of women and children in remote areas of Indonesia – areas connected to us by surfing. We specialize in working in very isolated villages where the maternal and child mortality rate is extremely high.

Many in our communities suffer from preventable causes. SurfAid implements a “hand up, not a hand out” philosophy toward aid. Local staff provides advice, training and expertise, but it is up to the community to implement and embrace change. We educate communities on simple things like washing hands before delivering a baby, sleeping under a mosquito net, exclusive breastfeeding, and improved nutrition. All of which have enormous positive impacts on the health of women and their families.

In Nias Indonesia, working with a population of 10,000, SurfAid has helped to reduce maternal deaths from 8 annually to zero in just 28 months. During the same timeframe, there were 22 deaths of children under the age of 5 and that number has been reduced to 5.

In the past 16 years, in addition to building award winning health programs, SurfAid has helped communities re-build their lives after five major natural disasters – earthquakes and tsunamis in the area.

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