Two Cape Town-based friends, Cassian Tulleken and Marcel Bovijn, are travelling on motorbikes from Cape Town up to Croatia along the west coast of Africa to raise funds for Operation Smile South Africa.
Tulleken and Bovijn departed from Cape Town on April 25 2019.
The pair said they chose to raise money for Operation Smile “because of the amazing work they are doing bringing dignity and improved quality of life to individuals without the financial means of getting correctional surgery for their cleft lips and/or palates,” said the pair in a statement.
Tulleken, 25, left his job in order to carry out this journey with a cause. Bovijn, 24, is between studies with his masters starting in August. This was the perfect time for the two to embark on this lifetime adventure.
‘The decision to quit my job [of] sailing the seven seas and take on this incredible journey has been one of the best I’ve made and I’m sure this trip will be life changing to say the least,’ Tulleken said on Instagram.
The pair have crossed through South Africa into Namibia and are now currently in Angola. There have been some bumps along the way, including damages to their bikes and both falling ill, but these hiccups have not taken away from their determination.
Both Tulleken and Bovijn will be doing the journey on KLR650 motorcycles.
If you want to donate to the cause and help fix some smiles, click here.
Each surgery costs R5500 and the pair’s goal is to raise enough money to fix 20 smiles.
To stay updated on their exciting trip, follow them on Instagram @thewestcoastwander.
Image source: Instagram @thewestcoastwander