Quotes from the Flores front line

INTRODUCTION

Flores is one of the poorest remotest islands in Asia. Resulting from Millennium Ride donations, twelve discounted Yamaha motorcycles arrived in May 2002 and have been integrated into rural health deliveries. Serving primary healthcare needs of 55 villages (population 44,000) the fleet is managed by a new organization called Health for All (HfA). If successful the idea could easily spread, according to medical workers unsolicited comments to Simon Milward as he rode through the region and the already high motorcycle use rate.

QUOTES

Mr. Dominggus Sarambu, MD, the Head of Ministry of Health (MoH) in East Flores district: "The presence of HfA is like an Angel from heaven since MoH has requested motorcycles from local government to support health services in rural areas but it was turned down due to the lack of budget allocated for health."

Mr. Wili Bala, Director Health for All: "The Program of Transport Resource Management particularly Managing Zero Breakdown Motorcycles for Rural Health Delivery being implemented by HfA is a breakthrough in view of increasing the quality of health condition of Flores people.

"All health workers using motorcycles progress in their driving in spite of the challenge posed by bad road conditions. It was also confirmed that the kind of motorcycles (Yamaha YT 115) are suitable for such a challenging road condition and is of absolute help in reaching out to the villages.

"Community Participation in public health care is something that is very new in Indonesia. I guess there is none other in Indonesia. It is truly a NEW HEALTH CARE PARADIGM and it is MOTORCYCLES and ALL PARTIES INVOLVED that make it possible."

Mr. Simon Milward, Millennium Rider & fundraiser: "International bodies squander $ billions every year on bloated bureaucracies and luxurious living for administrators. Donor governments give on condition the cash is spent with western companies. Hundreds of $ billions over decades has made no difference in the developing world. I saw it. I am appalled. HfA in Flores exposes this disgraceful situation because it's cost-effective."

Mr. Wili Bala, Director Health for All: "Imagine I have sent tens of copies of our Project Proposals to various donor agencies but their responses are disappointing. Some even said that they do not have budget for a specific program like ours. So narrow minded, isn't it? They are NOT OPEN to NEW INITIATIVES, they are stuck with regular obsolete programs giving no big improvements because the money is lost somewhere else. So I believe, what you and HfA staffs are doing now is a kind of ADVOCACY and DONOR EDUCATION."

Mr. Simon Milward, Millennium Rider & fundraiser: "If we manage to raise enough to cover the three year pilot project term we can use it to campaign for a more equitable way to spend aid dollars. Please help. US donations are tax deductible."

Simon Milward, on the road

A solo fundraising round the world ride on a handmade motorcycle. Help us help motorcycles and motorcyclists improve the health of fellow human beings.