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ATTA New Member Profile - WAVES for Development
WAVES for Developmentwww.WAVESforDevelopment.org
Contact
- US:
Dave Aabo c/o WAVES for Development
PO Box 86
New York, NY 10012
Tel. 518 339-2142
Contact
- Peru:
Dani Amico c/o WAVES for Development
Av La Paz 1646
Lima, Peru
Tel. 00 51 1 98146693
WAVES for Development is a not-for-profit association in Peru dedicated to helping communities connect surfing and sustainable development. We can be found on the web at: www.WAVESforDevelopment.org
Mission:
Use surfing to make the world a better place. Our community-based
educational programs promote:
- Environmental Conservation
- Life Skills for Local Youth
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Tourism
WAVES stands for:
W-ater - WAVES believes that access to and conservation of water is a necessity for the future of humanity. 1.1 billion people around the world suffer from inadequate access to clean water. Through adventure sports, WAVES' participants develop a special relationship with this resource, one that is easily applied to conservation activities in their daily lives.
A-dventure - WAVES believes adventure is more than just an adrenaline rush. By strapping on leashes and surfing, participants build confidence, stay healthy and foster meaningful relationships while enjoying the natural environment. Adventure sports typically have high entry costs. WAVES offers disadvantaged youth, girls in particular, access to these sports, making adventure part of their personal and social development.
V-oluntourism - Combining travelers' passion for surfing with their desire to serve is possible with WAVES' Adventure Service Tourism program. Volunteers contribute to community service activities while enjoying the adventure sports they love. In addition, these voluntourists* provide surf communities and their youth with a source of intercultural exchange and camaraderie through their involvement in Educational Surf Programs.
E-ducation - WAVES believes that knowledge is empowering. The future success of communities depends on today's youth and the education they access. Nowhere is education more important than in the world's poorest communities. WAVES helps coastal communities use their natural environment to create educational opportunities for youth, encouraging them to become confident, responsible leaders of tomorrow.
S-ustainability - WAVES believes sustainability contains 4 aspects: ecological, social, political, and economic. Ecological sustainability is the use of, impacts on, and implications for the natural environment. Social sustainability is the initial community participation of the project, the impact on their culture and their willingness to carry it into the future. The political sustainability explores the politics of the destination and other accountability issues of the project. The economic sustainability is the impact of the money that exchanges hands.
Current Situation:
Peru is home to over 2400 kilometers of coastline with numerous world-class surf breaks. Oftentimes the people who live in the communities where the waves break do not benefit from this incredible resource and related surf industry tourism. Few community members, especially children, have access to the equipment necessary to surf. We’d like to provide kids who would otherwise not have the opportunity, the chance to surf.
Poverty and the lack of access to education resources plague coastal communities. Health issues are compounded by inadequate waste management and limited physical education programs in the schools. Non-existent career planning and life skills development hinder youth from reaching their full potential.
The Services We Provide:
WAVES uses surfing to bring people together to bridge the divide between the affluent surf world and those living in poverty conditions. Our two programs designed for community youth and international travelers:
Educational Surf Program (Youth Development) - The Educational Surf Program combines physical activity with mental stimulation. Physical education activities connect participants with the earth through surfing. Mental stimulation occurs when engaging people of other cultures through language learning and play. The public school curriculum is complemented by physical education classes in the form of surfing where experiential learning and personal growth result.
Educational Surf Programs consist of 4 units including:
- Earth Connection
- Healthy Living
- Life Skills (including language learning)
- Social Entrepreneurship
Depending on the time of the year, Education Surf Programs take place during school, after school or on vacations. Youth involved are from the ages of 7-18.
Adventure Service Tourism (Sustainable Tourism) - Adventure Service Tourism programs create opportunities for travelers to experience and contribute to community-based programs in Peru. The locations and activities guarantee the experience is an adventure and the direct contribution to the Educational Surf Program ensures that a service is provided to the community. The experience is designed to not only visit a unique location but be part of solutions to challenges faced by the community.
Whether already traveling in South America or the Adventure Service Tourism being the trip motivation, volunteers can be assured that their experience contributes to the ecological, social, political and economic value of the communities served. Grounded in theory and dictated by the local reality, these experiences are shaping the future of sustainable tourism.
FAQ:
Q: What is WAVES for Development?
A: A not-for-profit association in Peru (in the process in the US) which blends the best of surfing, serving and improving the quality of life in coastal communities.
Q: How did it begin?
A: The idea grew from a group of surfers in Peru dedicated to serving the communities in and around where they surfed. Communicating the dream to others allowed it to grow into an international network of persons who believe surfing can transform lives of those less fortunate.
Q: But really, Surfing and Sustainable Development – what’s the connection?
A: The attraction of surfing is universal. We believe surfing can be an educational tool for not only physical education, but also to build confidence, resilience, set goals; create a reason for intercultural exchange and inspiration for social enterprises.
Q: How are you funded?
A: Currently individual donations are the only source of income; however, earned income will result with the arrival of international volunteers. Additionally, grants and support from public agencies will ensure the ongoing efforts. We believe we have a great idea and that individuals and organizations alike will provide support.
Q: How can I help/contact you?
A: Send a donation. Launching a project like this takes an incredible amount of resources – both financial and human. We are looking to strategically partner with organizations whose mission aligns with ours. Please contact us at:
* www.VolunTourism.org states that VolunTourism ‘represents voluntary service experiences that include travel to a destination in order to realize one's service intentions’.