Water is a fundamental human need. Each person on Earth requires at least 20 to 50 liters of clean, safe water a day for drinking, cooking, and simply keeping themselves clean.
Much of the world’s water supply is contaminated by natural or human causes like untreated waste, plastics, industrial refuse, pesticides, and other pollutants which suffocate waters and make them not just dirty but deadly. Some 1.8 million people die every year of diarrheal diseases like cholera. Tens of millions of others are seriously sickened by a host of water-related ailments—many of which are easily preventable. In many communities, a lack of basic knowledge about sanitation and hygiene practices results in the needless contamination of critical water resources. This can become a recurring problem; sick children are robbed of the health and education which could have empowered them to improve their own lives.
Since our official opening in March 2015 we’ve taught over 500 adults and children, with our classes continuing to grow as we expand our programs.
As part of our environmental program, we organise various activities with our local community and educate them about the impact of littering their environment and the effect plastic and mismanaged waste is having on their health and the ocean. We have now sourced a sustainable route for this plastic material to be transported back to the mainland to recycling depots, and have the support of local businesses who have started to utilise our recently introduced recycling collection depot in Tua Pajet.
There are various ways in which you can support us and help make an impact so check out the below links and see which one aligns with you:
- Support our crowd-funding campaign and you have the added bonus of winning a surf coaching and contribution trip to the Mentawai Islands with Barton Lynch in 2018. – https://www.chuffed.org/project/saveouroceansandwinatriptoindonesia
- Support us via My Giving Circleby becoming a monthly donor from as little as $10 per month or just voting to help us share in a portion of a $12,500 giveaway. – https://mygivingcircle.org/projects/30000-for-your-favourite-australian-charities
- Support us via A Dollar A Weekwhich is a new online platform creating a global community of giving for $1 per week. If you’re based on the Gold Coast they are also hosting a launch party on the 16th November at Balter Brewery where you can hear all about their global giving impact. – https://www.adaw.biz
Thanks again for helping us create a cleaner Mentawai!!