RIP Pepe, the philosopher-president! Like Mandela, made from a hard and rare material, Mujica went from intrepid revolutionary to open-minded democratically elected president, changing his views but preserving his humility and frugality. www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5288793/uruguay-jose-…
Uruguay's former President José Mujica dies at 89 : NPR
José Mujica, the charismatic former guerrilla fighter who later went on to lead Uruguay and became known as "the world's poorest president" for his austere…
In an EU where the rise of the xenophobe right also raises borders once more, wolf populations, just recovered from near extinction, are again under threat: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/opinion/europe-borders-…
UK-Spain: TTG reports that overtourism protests and angst are brushed aside by travel agents who sometimes have to convince the more anxious among elderly visitors that protests are just about 'Airbnb'. So it's business as usual in terms of demand unless something extraordinary really happens. www.ttgmedia.com/sustainability/agents-forced-to-r…
TTG - Sustainability - Agents forced to reassure 'anxious' clients about Spain after last summer's protests
Several travel agents have told TTG their clients had to be reassured about travelling to Spain this year, because of perceived anti-tourist sentiments
Republic of the Congo: An investigation by Omnia Strategy (a specialist Human Rights law firm led by Cherie Blair, hired by African Parks) following allegations (by Survival International and Mail on Sunday) of human rights abuses at Odzala National Park comitted by park guards against Baka community members, has concluded. The detailed findings and recommendations are being kept secret, however... Show more
Gaza: The last restaurant, a Thai restaurant, is no more. The fact that there was still a restaurant while there is no food is by itself amazing. But the main questions are, what will it take for this nightmare to stop, how much damage to our collective psyche, how much cynicism is this mindless slaughter causing, and for how many generations the generated hatred will last in the area... Show more
Covid: we still do not know for sure if it was a product of a natural mutation or a deliberate combination, if it was a lab or a wet market accident. In every case China and the US (and others) should cooperate, rather than blame each other, so that we all avoid a repetition! www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/science/covid-coronavir…
Tanzania: The Zanzibar Tourism Commission (Web: www.zanzibartourism.go.tz) issued a stark 'reminder on proper dress code' to Hotels and Tour Operators holding them responsible if tourists do not cover up and threatening "establishments and individuals" with "strict penalties and legal actions" from May 1, 2025. The warning was posted on the Commissions' Facebook page. It is unclear what... Show more
India: A group of Jenu Kuruba, the indigenous people evicted from Karnataka's Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, 40 years ago, have returned and started building houses the traditional way. Survival International has called on the Indian government not only to accept the fact, but to encourage more Jenu Kuruba to return "as tigers thrive alongside the Indigenous people". What is clear is that the fortress... Show more
India: Evicted tribe re-occupies their homes inside famous tiger reserve, in landmark event
In unprecedented action, Jenu Kuruba people return to their forest at Nagarhole
At the young age of 99, and ever optimistic, the legendary naturalist-documentarist Sir David Attenborough is still campaigning and enlightening us about the paramount importance of safeguarding our planet's ecosystems. His movie-length 'Ocean' documentary premieres tonight at London's Royal Festival Hall.
Voluntourism: an interesting selection of options from NY Times, with a passing reference that it may have more to do with a 'saviour complex' rather than meaningfully/effectively supporting conservation/real progress in those destinations. For example, instead of taking the trip and paying most of the funds to airlines, organizers etc, consider the alternative of donating the same amount to an... Show more
Description
At SurfAid our core mission is to improve the lives of women and children in remote areas of Indonesia and Solomon Islands and Baja Sur, Mexico – areas connected to us through surfing.
We believe that positive, sustainable and long-lasting change can only be achieved through the active involvement of the locals in the places we work.
SurfAid is committed to a 'hand up, not a handout' philosophy, and our focus is on
empowering and supporting local communities to enrich their own lives, and increase their choices and possibilities for realising their own potential.
We strive for lasting improvement in the health, wellbeing and resilience of remote communities by implementing community-led development programs that are clear in their goals, effective in their implementation and subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation.
InternshipsWe are always on the lookout for enthusiastic students or recent graduates who would like to intern with the SurfAid team. Interns must be Australian or U.S. based.
We are currently looking for the following interns:
- Communications (copywriting, content, social media, design, video) Interns
- Marketing Interns
- Fundraising Interns
If you are interested in interning with SurfAid please send an email to info@surfaid.org
Our event volunteers help bring our SurfAid Cups to life and ensure our events run smoothly.
If you would like to volunteer as an event assistant at a SurfAid Cup please email info@surfaid.org
Thank you for considering volunteering for SurfAid’s field programs. We are stoked that you would want to spend your time with us. Volunteering is a fantastic way to make a difference, but unfortunately, we do not run a volunteer program for a couple of reasons.
As a part of our development philosophy, we follow a hand up, not a hand out approach. We follow a model of development assistance that focuses on empowering and supporting local communities to enrich their own lives and increase their choices and possibilities for realising their potential.
Additionally, the places where SurfAid works are isolated and challenging to get to and work in. There is very limited accommodation, often limited food available, and most people only speak the local dialects. Tough conditions for even the most seasoned traveller.
We strongly believe our limited resources are better directed towards employing Indonesian staff and supporting village volunteers with local strategies and solutions.