About Us
Alexander Souri – Founder & Executive Director
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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Relief Riders International a non-profit organization?
A: Relief Riders International has two divisions: a for-profit division to market and manage the logistical travel aspects of our trip, and a non-profit division that allows for tax deductible fundraising for our relief mission programs.
Q: What is Relief Riders International's mission?
A: Relief Riders International was founded with a unique mission: to combine an extraordinary adventure travel experience with the opportunity for our travelers to deliver life-changing medical care, educational supplies, and livestock to below poverty level villagers in Rajasthan, India. Both our Relief Riders and our rural Rajasthani friends are transformed by the experience.
A: We welcome 10-15 guests on each expedition.
Q: How long is the expedition?
A: Each expedition is 15 nights, 16 days. A couple of days at the beginning and end of each itinerary are spent sightseeing in the cities of Jaipur and Delhi, the rest of the time we are traveling through the glorious Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
Q: What kind of people go on a Relief Riders International trip - do guests need special skills or experience?
A: Anyone who has ever been enchanted with the idea of India, who has a desire to experience this culture in a rare way, travel through beautiful country, and connect with its people can join our expedition. The only special skill required is an open mind and open heart.
Q: Does every expedition travel through the same villages?
A: We have three different itineraries, and visit the same villages year to year to ensure that our relief mission continues to reach more and more of those in need.
A: In the cities we stay at excellent hotels. On the ride we overnight in historic Indian forts, castles or our charming and comfortable tented encampments. Our crew prepares all meals in the local cuisine.
Q: What kinds of activities are guests engaged in to support the relief mission?
A: Guests help organize and load the camel carts with supplies. At schools, guests help the schoolchildren take medicine and distribute educational supplies such as notebooks and pencils. In the general medical camps and the mobile eye surgery camp, guests operate the registration desk with the help of an interpreter, guide villagers to the appropriate doctor and help distribute medicines.
Q: How many people are treated on each expedition?
A: Relief Riders International treats an average of 2500 people on each desert expedition. This includes treating between 300 and 600 people at each general medical camp, screening and providing general treatment for 575 people at our mobile eye surgery camp, with approximately 100 of those people receiving free eye surgery, and visiting an average of three to six schools, usually reaching 1200 children. We provide an average of 65 families with goats on each expedition. To date, Relief Riders International and its guests have provided aid to over 17,000 people.
Q: If my schedule prevents me from joining one of your rides, how can I support your Relief Mission?
A: You can support our programs by making a tax- deductible contribution to our Give the Gift of Sight and Give a Goat programs.
Relief Riders International is a humanitarian-based, adventure travel company that organizes horseback journeys through remote areas while providing humanitarian aid to local people.
Since 2004 Relief Riders International has helped over 18,700 people, including 12,000 children in Rajasthan, India and adds Cappadocia, Turkey to the Relief Ride itinerary in 2011.
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.
Watch Relief Riders International Founder Alexander Souri describe the beginning of the Relief Ride Adventure to CBS in 2005.
In 2010 Relief Riders International won the United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award for its outstanding leadership in combining adventure travel with humanitarian aid.
