Emergency in Tajikistan

One mans mercy mission: Jerry drives an ambulance 13,000km on an incredible journey across Europe and Asia. My name is Jerry Aylmer and in 2011 I quit my job as an oil trader, gave up my London lifestyle and drove an ambulance to Tajikistan. Through my work, personal travel experiences and the media I had witnessed the staggering contrast between my life in London and the often appalling poverty and powerlessness of people in numerous countries around the world, many of which produce oil. I find it overwhelmingly moving that often these same people are some of the most generous, kind and welcoming you will ever meet. Having been fortunate enough to have worked in Central Asia and experienced this first hand, I came to the decision that I had to try and give something back. My research led me to discover a very real emergency in Tajikistan, a critical lack of ambulances. Tajikistan is one of the poorest countries in the world. It shares a long border with Afghanistan and the country is spectacular but harsh. For those outside the capital, Dushanbe, life can be tough and healthcare erratic. In rural areas especially, maternal mortality rates are high and a dedicated local ambulance could be the difference between life and death for many women and babies. Inspired by programs such as The Long Way Round and fueled by the dream of making a difference rather than a profit, I bought a modern Mercedes ambulance and headed east from London. Across Europe, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia with one objective: To get the ambulance, in one piece and fully functioning, to the hospital in the town of Kurgan Teppa, southern Tajikistan This is a story of nightmare border crossings, meeting incredible people, breaking down in Iran, driving a 5 ton ambulance on dirt tracks over mountain ranges and through the tunnel of death. It is my mercy mission across 19 countries and 13,000km to try and help save lives in Tajikistan.