Help required for East Timor motorcyclists

For people living in the most remote and rural areas of fledging nation East Timor, motorcycles are often the only way to access a community, apart from walking.

To that end, an organisation called MotoAid Asia Pacific is working to improve health care access by promoting and supporting existing organisations using motorcycles. The organisation trains health workers on how to setup their bikes, do daily checks and basic maintenance, as well as teaching defensive riding skills and the importance of protective clothing.

With the support of Melbourne-based motorcycle dealership MotoHeaven, in April 2016 MotoAid is sending two volunteers, a qualified mechanic and a rider trainer, to East Timor to train community and health workers in the district of Same.

Fiona, the director and founder of MotoAid, has challenged 100 people to sponsor her $100.  If 100 people accept this challenge she will run the 100km from Same to Dili. This trip, on the main road, takes four hours in a car — on a good day with no traffic. Fiona has pledged to complete this run in a day, to highlight the difficulties for health transport due to the road and terrain in East Timor.

On Wednesday, March 23, MotoAid will be holding a fundraising information night at Mothers Milk Lounge Bar, located at 287 Bay Street, Brighton, a bayside suburb of Melbourne. The event will be held from 7:30-9:30pm.

If you can’t make it on the night but would like to support MotoAid click here.