For every Santosha Society surf and yoga retreat, we will donate one high-quality modular prosthetic limb kit for a child with a limb disability living in the developing work.

Santosha Society has always had an ambitious ‘karma yoga’ policy (the yoga of action), offering well over 10% of trip profits to support local humanitarian projects.  We have built a playground, raised funds for Sri Lanka Red Cross during the floods last year, and fundraised over $2000 for Bumi Sehat Foundation in Ubud, Indonesia.  We have supported a local surfing community for women called Watura Water Women, and not we have decided to take it a step further with a new and exciting collaboration with the inspiring non profit A Leg to Stand On.

A Leg to Stand On is  a NYC- based non profit organization working in the developing world, bringing free orthopedic care to children with untreated limb disabilities whose families cannot afford treatment.   The mission of A Leg To Stand On (ALTSO) is “to offer children who have lost their limbs in traumatic accidents or suffer from congenital limb disabilities the physical capabilities to access the opportunities and self-esteem earned through education, work and mobility.”

ALTSO can be found improving the lives of the people in Afghanistan, Bangaldesh, Cambodia, Colombia, India, Indonesia,  Nepal, Pakistan, and Somaliland.  The organization’s goal is to provide high-quality continuous care until the age of 21 for all patients treated under ALTSO’s program. Since 2003, through local treatment providers in Asia, Africa and Latin America we’ve provided free orthopedic care to more than 16,700 children in need.

This collaboration means that we will change the life of one child by offer them a much-needed prosthetic limb for every retreat we run.  There is no better way of supporting one’s own spiritual growth than by compassionately giving to another, especially the smile and happiness of a child.

We here at santosha love a good photo (obviously, just look at our Instagram).  After the gift of giving, the second most exciting parts of this program is the #coolkidportraits series and confidence campaign that ALTSO runs.

From Asia to Africa to Latin America, ALTSO teaches these kids they are the coolest – not because we say so, but because they say so. The goal of this portrait series is to raise awareness and build self-esteem for children with limb disabilities in the developing world. By showcasing their unique personalities, positive attitudes, likes and ambitions, ALTSO’s aim is to provide not only the gift of mobility, but a medium for self-expression and creativity. In doing so, ALTSO believes they are helping to remove social stigmas and change the face of disability in the developing world, and we believe so too.

Take a look a few of the sweet faces of the program.

Meet Sopriya.

Nicknamed Yaya. Sopriya is the epitome of adorable.  She is a big fan of Hello Kitty, mathematics and giving peace signs.   When she is not concentrating on fractions and decimals, you will find her riding bikes with her kid sister.  The special thing about Sopriya is her dream to become a prosthetist and help children like herself through programs such as A Leg To Stand On.

Meet Somanith

Somanith dreams of becoming a hairdresser/cosmetician.  She loves making her sisters hair look pretty before school.  Besides her love for keeping her family looking beautiful, she loves riding her bicycle and getting dirty – at least once in awhile.

By signing up for one of our upcoming 2019 retreats , you are supporting a child just like Sopriya and Somanith.   (click to take a look at retreat destinations).

If you cant make a a trip with us, here is a link to donate. https://www.altso.org/donate

See more Cool Kid Portraits here:  https://www.altso.org/impact/#coolkidportraits