JANUARY 25TH UPDATE

On January 22nd, we spent the whole day packing 3, 2-ton trucks with supplies to be shipped to Sibolga. Scuzz arrived in Sibolga on the morning of the 23rd and spent the day with captains trying to get cargo boats organized to transport the 3 truckloads to northern Simeulue. He has been working closely with CARE International, an organization that has been covering the entire island and has plans to be there for the next 2 years. They are completely stoked with what Scuzz is doing, and are using him as an information source for the 8 villages in the Alasan/Kecamatan area.

Over 4,600 people in this area were displaced after the tsunami. They have lost everything, but, as with most villagers Scuzz has encountered on these surveys, they are happy and smiley. It simply amazes him. We will have pictures of these areas soon as Adam, Alyssa, and Matt George just arrived back in Padang from their trip to the area. When they get settled and have a chance to forward them to the Slayer, he will put them on the site.

On January 24th, we sent out a 45-ton cargo boat from Padang to the same area (northern Simeulue). We have a list that is nearly 3 pages long of all the items that were loaded onto the trucks and cargo boat, but in the interest of saving web space we will not include it all in this update. However, at the bottom of our January 21st update you can read a general list of the items that we are purchasing. It is very difficult for the big organizations to mobilize quickly, which is why they are asking the private individuals and small companies for their help. We have spent nearly all of the money SurfAid has funded us and signed a contract for payment for receipts today.

Adam (AK) is traveling back to the U.S. as this update is being typed. Everyone who donated money at the benefit in Ventura, CA can know that AK was there in person to make sure it was put to good use. AK was able to type out a brief summary of his travels at the hotel before he headed for the airport, which is included at the end of this update (in italics). Also, we wanted to thank Claudio Franca, Mike Vann, and all the students/pros at Claudio Franca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (www.claudiofrancabjj.com) for their recent fundraising effort that raised over $1,000 for IDEP and Doctor’s Without Borders. Truly a great, unselfish effort!

Thank you to everyone, and we’ll keep you posted.

AK’s Update:
Hello all. Adam (AK to many) here, reporting from Padang. Just got back in from a long trip, furthering the Sumatran Surfariis effort. We set out of the river with an absolutely fully loaded Asia (a Sumatran Surfariis boat). Food and supplies were touching the roof, bunks were too full to sleep in let alone walk near.

In twenty hours we were in Taluk Delam, dropping off helicopter fuel and buying out stores with the money from our Ventura benefit. Then we set off for Gunnungsitoli to unload Asia and get the goods distributed to the hard hit areas on Nias. This one was most likely the largest drop up to that time to an area over 90% affected by the tsunami.

From there it got interesting as Lil (Alyssa) and I boarded the boat The Makumbah, which was backed primarily by the surf industry folks, to head further north. It was an extremely amazing adventure from there. The mix of people turned out to be an epic group of photographers, journalists and doctors. The few days traveling north were even eventful. One morning while surveying coast we came across a body on the shore. It was mostly bones and looked almost fake but disturbing and thought provoking nonetheless. It was also a reminder that we were coming closer to devastated areas. Later that day we saw something floating in the distance and went for a closer look. Sure enough it was a floating body. This one was more disturbing as it looked much more “real” then just the skull and bones. As we motored away from that we noticed more bodies in the waters. They must have been floating down from mainland Aceh. This was heavy. After this we surveyed a hangout for local fisherman on a small island. No sign of anything there. The waves had destroyed the place completely and it seemed nobody was around or coming back to this small gathering spot anytime soon. The only real adventure there was being stared down by two massive wild pigs. They would’ve kicked my arse for certain but after some stares and grunts they went back on their way. Finally we made it into north Simeulue. Long story short, this place was trashed. An amazing show of the power of nature and the tragic lives these people now live. We supplied 8 villages with things like fresh veggies, cooking equipment, clothes, fish, fishing gear, sleeping mats and the list goes on and on. Each family got their fair share of the ration and it was truly cherished. Villagers were seen throughout the day putting the goods to use. Tools were being used to rebuild, ibu’s were seen cooking and clothes were immediately worn. The highlight of all this had to have been the doctors. They treated over 400 people in 4 days of serious work. They saved lives for sure and treated some hardcore disease and sickness. Words can’t really express what we saw and experienced there. All of this support here and from home is making a bigger and bigger difference with each day. Lives are being saved. We motored back home, surveying and making plans to do more good.

This is a very short story of a way bigger trip. I’m a bit exhausted but if anyone’s interested, we will have a full day-by-day journal as well as heaps of pictures up on the web upon my return to the states on the 27th of January.

Everyone has been so amazing. The king and queen Chris’ have made more of a difference here then anyone I’ve met. Also, the inspirational stories of compassion from you all back home are as important as anything in helping aid these people.

They’ll be a short film from this to add to our current video project so hang in the if you’re at all interested in that. I’ve also added just a few of the shots I took out there, so hopefully we can get them up on the web. Keep in mind a more detailed account is on the way but I gotta get some sleep for now. Feel free to contact me at ak_water@hotmail.com if you think there’s anything I can do to help you guys with anything back home.

Too many people to thank and the people I’d thank most aren’t looking for that anyway. You’re all amazing and we hope you’re doing well. Thanks for staying tuned. To be continued…

Thanks!!!
AK

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