ABOUT
Relief Workers International (RWI) is a humanitarian-based, adventure travel company that organizes expeditions through breathtaking areas in India.
Relief Workers International is a special project of Relief Riders International, the well-known VolunTourism organization that led exciting humanitarian horseback rides to Rajasthan, India.
Dr. Arora treating villagers – Photo: Marc Lécureuil
HISTORY
As featured in Oprah’s O magazine, Forbes, National Geographic and Outside magazine, Relief Riders brought critical school supplies, goats, and medical care to rural villagers. Over the last four years, RRI held seven successful rides and treated over 14,000 villagers, including 6,300 children.
With our “Give the Gift of Sight” campaign we provided treatment to rural villagers with cataracts. Since the program began we have brought sight to 294 patients.
RRI has received extraordinary publicity over the years. Almost from the very beginning we have been contacted by many people who have wanted to travel with us to India but didn’t feel comfortable riding horses. In response to these requests, we are developing a series of trips that combine travel by jeep with some critical humanitarian work. And so Relief Riders International has created Relief Workers International.
From the very beginning,we have worked closely with the Indian Red Cross and our dedicated team of Indian doctors. After recent consultations with our medical advisors, and a needs assessment trip in May 2008 to Gujarat, we will be offering trips to some new areas in India. For more information about our trips, please go to Trip Info.
RELIEF WORKERS INTERNATIONAL
Recent events – including the tsunami in Thailand and the natural disasters in Myanamar and China – have prompted us to add some new elements to our program. It is increasingly clear that many people desire to help others in need. To help make that happen, we will be working with our medical staff to train those who would like in some practical responses to natural disasters – CPR, basic approaches to first aid, search and rescue etc. We will have more information about this program in the months to come.
Our first Relief Workers tours will take place in Gujarat, India where we will combine exciting travel with life-changing humanitarian relief work.
Alexander Souri (RWI Founder),Hon. General Secretary of Gujarat Red Cross, Dr. Vinoy (RWI Chief Medical Officer) and Dr. Arora (RWI Medical Director)
THE RELIEF WORKERS TEAM:
Alexander Souri – Executive Director
Alexander Souri founded Relief Riders International in 2004. He designs and supervises the relief missions, coordinates the work of the RWI core team, and directs RWI’s marketing and sales efforts.
Prior to founding Relief Riders International, Mr. Souri worked as a producer in both theater and film. He has worked on successful projects such as “The Matrix” and “X-Men,” and directed commercials and industrial films in China.
Born in New York City to a French mother and an Indian father, Mr, Souri has always had a global perspective on life. As a young boy he was educated at a boarding school in India; he attended an international high school in Sophia Antipolis in Valbonne, France, and later graduated from Simon’s Rock of Bard College in Great Barrington, MA.
Relief Workers International’s Medical Team:
Dr. Mahesh Arora – Executive Medical Director
Dr. Arora is a Physician and Administrative Director and holds an M.Phil in “Hospitals and Health Systems Management” from the country’s premier institute of Science and Technology – The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan in collaboration with CMC Vellore and Tulane University, USA.
Dr. Arora has vast field experience in various disaster situations. With a rich experience of over 25 years in the Indian Red Cross Society, ranging from national to international assignments, Dr. Arora has spearheaded and led critical assignments for disaster response during the earthquake in Bhuj – Gujarat and has headed the Red Cross International delegation for needs assessment in the tsunami hit coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Vinoy Vighneswar BAMS – Director, Ayurvaidya Health and Wellness Centre, Pvt. Ltd., Kovalam
Dr. Vinoy graduated in Ayurvedic Medicine from the University of Kerala in 1997 then started Ayurvaidya health and wellness centre at Kovalam that same year. He has conducted seminars and workshops on Basic Principles of Ayurveda in Helsinki, Murrla and Tampere in Finland (2001 July and 2002 August. Dr. Vinoy is co-promoter of World Ayurveda Congress in Cochin, Kerala 2002. He is President of the Kovalam Unit of Ayurveda Medical Association of India. Dr.Vinoy has been Consultant Physician to Relief Riders International since 2004
