The Southern Highland Reader

NANTAHALA–Wilderness Medic Jonathan Bryant of the Nantahala Outdoor Center is working to kick-start a “sustainable charity,” to extend his efforts to provide health care in rural Belize and Guatemala.

Bryant travels to these countries and others when he isn’t working at the NOC, and uses motorcycles to reach communities inaccessible by car. Here’s his self-told piece in the Asheville Citizen-Times. Here’s an excerpt:

The amount of poverty I encountered [during my most recent trip] was heartrending, but seeing people’s determination was incredibly inspirational.

I funded this research project myself but I’m seeking self-funded volunteers for this year’s expedition, scheduled for departure Nov. 20. I’m looking for a doctor, dentist and four EMTs or wilderness first responders. Most of the work will be in Southern Belize on the Guatemala boarder.

We’ll fix up the derelict clinic there, which services 320 people, stock it with medical supplies and raise funds to staff the clinic for two hours a day after we leave.

I figure if I can launch one fully operational clinic a year, it’s a start.

Tags: Central America, Guatemala, Health, Nantahala Outdoor Center

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