In Africa, 17 million people die each year from curable diseases. Many of these deaths would have been preventable, but doctors are often unable to reach patients located in rural areas. In Gambia, for example, there is only 1 doctor per 6,000 people, and some Gambian villagers live up to 8 kilometers from the nearest highway. In order to address this problem, the nonprofit organization Riders for Health equips doctors with high-speed motorcycles in rural areas of Africa and teaches them how to clean and repair the bikes. Thanks to the expanded range provided by the motorcycles, 1 doctor can now reach 20,000 people. Across Africa, Riders for Health now provides services to 11 million people.

When you donate to Riders For Health your money goes directly to paying for parts, petrol, maintenance and training for health workers like Suleiman Suso. If his motorcycle fails, then he cannot deliver anti-malarial or TB medication and people die. It's that simple.

For more information on Riders for Health, check out the feature article in GOOD magazine.

[video: The Motorcycle Doctors]