Village Clinic Ride 2022: Pedaling Towards Better Healthcare In South Sudan

GEMS’ second annual charity ride is off to a great start!  Larry and Zach Chatterley are humanitarian cyclists who have partnered with GEMS Development Foundation. They have been riding for nearly two weeks, raising awareness and funding for a much-needed medical clinic in Majok Goi, South Sudan.  Larry and Zach have donated all of their own time and resources for this ride so that all of the money raised can go directly to finish the building project and provide future healthcare services.

In a recent blog update, Zach wrote about the rigors of life on the bike trail. He said, “If nothing else, bicycle touring gives you some perspective on how easy we have it, and how hard it is for those who don’t live with such conveniences.” In terms of healthcare conveniences, how often do we reach for a dose of pain medicine to calm a throbbing headache or sore muscles, or cold medicine for a runny nose or sore throat? How often has an antibiotic stopped an infection from spreading and causing more widespread damage to our bodies? How many vaccines do we have working actively with our immune systems, as protective gifts from modern medicine that we have readily available in many developed countries? Access to clean water, sanitation, and even protection from mosquitos while we sleep can also be considered important tools to protect us from water-borne or insect borne diseases. These medical conveniences are often taken for granted.  GEMS is working hard to help the villagers of Majok Goi to have access to these healthcare options that can help them to live longer, healthier, and fuller lives.

Ride along with Larry and Zach as they ride 1400 miles along the beautiful Pacific Coast Bike Trail by reading about their experiences here, and please consider making a life-saving donation to provide healthcare to the people of Majok Goi, South Sudan.