Malaika Vaz
| Malaika Vaz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
April 13, 1997 Saligao, Goa, India |
| Alma mater | United World Colleges |
| Occupation | Athlete, Explorer, Environmentalist, Social Entrepreneur |
Malaika Vaz is a teenage Athlete, Explorer, Environmentalist and Social Entrepreneur from Goa, India, and the youngest person to have been on an expedition to both the Antarctica and Arctic at the age of 16.[1][2][3][4] Malaika was the only international filmmaker to be awarded the National Geographic ROAR Talent bursary for Wildscreen Festival in 2016.
Personal life
Malaika Vaz was born to Marusha Vaz and Mac Vaz, and has two younger brothers, Mikhail and Marc.[5] As a competitive windsurfer, sailor and advanced PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified scuba diver she has developed a strong connection to the ocean and has seen firsthand the effects of unsustainable tourism on the Marine ecosystem.[6] This inspired her to campaign for ecological protection and work towards conserving India’s natural resources through initiatives such as the Leave No Trace campaign,[7] that reduced plastic waste drastically at Asia’s largest music festival Sunburn held at Candolim, Goa, India.
Education
Malaika completed her schooling from Sharada Mandir School in Goa. She represented India along with students from 92 countries at UWC Mahindra College, one of the 15 United World Colleges spread out across the world.
Social Entrepreneurship
Through her non-profit organization Kriyā, Malaika works to empower women; victims of sexual violence and disadvantaged teenage girls through adventure sport and outdoor education.[2][8][9] Under Malaika’s guidance, the Kriyā Ambassadors summited Stok Kangri and Lungser Kangri in the Indian Himalayas to raise money for the Sherpa communities in the Khumbu Valley who were devastated by the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.[10]
Films
- Waghoba: Provider, Destroyer, Deity (Wildlife Documentary, 2016)[11]
- Spotlight with Malaika, Herald Channel Network (TV Series, 2009 - 2011)
Awards
- 2016 State Youth Award, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa for outstanding contribution in the field of social service.
- 2016 National Geographic ROAR Talent bursary for Wildscreen Festival 2016[12]
- 2015 Young Environmentalist by Saevus Magazine.
- 2015 Brand Ambassador Woodland[13][14]
- 2012 Brand Ambassador Victorinox.[15]
References
- ↑ "Arctic 2012 Expeditioner Malaika Vaz makes news in India | Students on Ice Blog". studentsonice.com. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
- 1 2 "Goan teen to train women to scale high peaks - The Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
- ↑ "Riding the crest - SouthKannada - The Hindu". thehindu.com. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
- ↑ "What did you do when you were 14? - Life and style". mid-day.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ http://findall-goa.com/specials.php?pgid=65
- ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/riding-the-crest/article3931532.ece
- ↑ http://retailview.in/blog/woodland-launches-leave-no-trace-initiative/
- ↑ UWCMC Blog. "UWCMC Blog | Kriyā for Nepal: Climbing for Earthquake Relief". uwcmahindracollege.org. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nepal-earthquake-students-to-climb-high-peaks-to-contribute-for-survivors-760703
- ↑ http://www.felis.in/Waghoba
- ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Malaika-Vaz-bags-National-Geographic-talent-grant/articleshow/55123420.cms
- ↑ http://ambassadors.woodlandworldwide.com/ambassadors-photogallery/malaika-vaz-72.html
- ↑ "Brand journey from footwear to outdoor gear – Customer Click". customerclick.in. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ "Goa teen is 'friend' of Swiss knife company - The Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2015-12-11.