“I really think I found my purpose by helping and empowering young people. I feel all the steps I took in life somehow connected and make me able to live a purposeful life, giving back to people and the community.”
Those are the words of Manuela Giger, 38, director and co-founder of the youth and community development NGO, Waves For Hope.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Giger founded the NGO with her husband, professional surfer, Christopher “Chris” Dennis, in 2019.
Dennis is a TT national champion, a former World Qualifying Series competitive surfer, and an ISA certified surf instructor.
In 2018, he received the Angostura Champion award for his community work, and the Surfing Association of TT awarded him the Surfer of the Year title in 2019.
[caption id="attachment_937168" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Manuela Giger surfing in Balandra. PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD LYDER -[/caption]
Also, in 2021, he won the Aloha Award which recognises individuals in the global surfing community who shares their joy of surfing with others, give back through acts of kindness and demonstrates "commitment to living a life consistent with the principles of the Aloha Spirit."
As surfers who live near to the beach in Balandra, Giger and Dennis have experienced the physical and psychological healing properties, and calming effects of natural bodies of water.
So far, they have shared those benefits with about 40 youths in the area through Waves For Hope’s main programme, a six-month mental health intervention for youths ages nine and up.
“If we are allowed to, we go to the beach and we run a set of activities with mindfulness. We surf with them, we teach them skills and tools to cope with their stress at home and school. We use the surfing and fun activities around it to teach them how to communicate, how to look out for each other, and how to identify their feelings.
[caption id="attachment_937169" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Manuela Giger instructs a surf therapy participant on how to stand on a surfboard. PHOTO COURTESY OMARION BUTLER. -[/caption]
“We create a positive, safe space for them to learn new positive behaviours, to interact in positive ways with their peers, and to give them an outlet. We offer a holistic approach to well-being.”
The programme facilitates youths of various skill levels – from non-swimmers to competent surfers – once per week. Although the main draw for the children is surfing, for the facilitators, surfing is a way to attract the children and teach them.
After six months of surf therapy, they graduate into Waves For Hope’s club where they meet to surf once a week and are surrounded by like-minded peers.
Giger told Sunday Newsday when the pandemic hit TT, they saw an even greater need for their intervention because, although it has been difficult for everyone, it has been especially tough for young people.
She said online school has been challenging for the children of “underserved communities” as, at the start, many did not have devices, internet, a quiet space in which to w
