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Testimonials by our Riders
In 2010 Relief Riders International won the United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award for its outstanding leadership in combining adventure travel with humanitarian aid.
Relief Riders International is a humanitarian-based, adventure travel company that creates horseback and motorcycle journeys through remote, rural areas while providing humanitarian aid to local people. Since 2004 we have been able to improve the lives of over 25,000 people, including 18,700 children in India, Turkey, and Ecuador.
Alexander Souri – Founder & Executive Director
Alexander Souri founded Relief Riders International in 2004 and Relief Workers International in 2008. He designs and supervises the relief missions, coordinates the work of the core team, and directs marketing and sales efforts for RRI.
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 Valbonnes, France, and later graduated from Simon's Rock of Bard College in Great Barrington, MA.
Alexander Souri has written: "Relief Riders International is designed to offer individuals not only an exhilarating journey but the chance to use their skills, enthusiasm and experience to promote positive change. I know from my own travels to Rajasthan that for every gift I have given I have received gifts that have changed my life."
Dr. Mahesh Arora – Executive Medical Director
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 – Chief Medical Officer
He has conducted seminars and workshops on the Basic Principles of Ayurveda in Helsinki, Murrla and Tampere in Finland.
Dr. Vinoy is President of the Kovalam Unit of Ayurvedic Medical Association of India. He has been Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Physician to Relief Riders International since 2004.
In 2010 Relief Riders International won the United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award for its outstanding leadership in combining adventure travel with humanitarian aid.