Our VETS YVP volunteers in Ghana are helping local animal health workers vaccinate goats, sheep, and more against disease
Keisha, Marley, and Sandra joined other animal health workers to vaccinate goats and sheep against PPR.
The goal of the VETS project is to improve the economic and social well-being of the world’s most marginalized people, particularly women and girls, in six countries in Africa and Asia.
Volunteers Engaged in Gender-Responsive Technical Solutions (VETS) is a seven-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada that will see 190 Canadian volunteers take on international assignments on behalf of Veterinarians without Borders/Vétérinaires sans frontiers.
The goal of the project is to work to improve the economic and social well-being of the world’s most marginalized people, particularly women and girls, in six countries in Africa and Asia.
The project will use the skills of Canadian volunteers to support smallholder farmers, primarily women, to reduce poverty by improving family income and nutrition, principally through improved production of livestock and crops.
The project is built around the One Health concept which recognizes that the health of animals, people, and the natural environment are interconnected.
During the first year of the VETS program, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made international travel essentially impossible.
Despite that, work moved ahead. VWB/ VSF and our local partners, with the help of local experts, were able to complete community needs assessments, as well as specific assessments into gender relations and the environment in the target communities.
Training then began in the communities, both in-person and over radio sessions, with the assistance of volunteers already in-country.
The project also developed COVID-19 risk communication messages and training tools designed to help people protect themselves. Preparations were also made to install handwashing stations at local schools.
Veterinarians without borders couldn't do the work we do without your support. Whether it's a financial donation or a donation of your time, by improving the health of animals you will be working to improve the health and quality of life for people throughout the world.
Keisha, Marley, and Sandra joined other animal health workers to vaccinate goats and sheep against PPR.
Meet Dr. Joseph Ansong-Danquah; a retired veterinarian from Canada who has been donating his time to help animals and communities throughout rural Ghana.
Natalia shares all she learned during her recent VETS volunteer posting in Ghana, as a communications specialist.
In Kenya, we're working through a One Health lens with on-the-ground volunteers and partners to help farmers implement biogas fuel systems on their farms.
VWB/VSF alumni VETS volunteer, Younoussa Barry, is an environmental and agroecology expert. He spent time training local farmers about best practices in pesticide use to help improve the quality of crops, while also ensuring people, animals, and the environment remain protected from the pesticide's potentially negative side effects.
Natalia is currently working in Ghana as a communications volunteer. She recently celebrated Ghana's 66th year of independence in Accra with the GAPNET team and a very special guest.
As part of #IDW2023, Veterinarians Without Borders/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Canada (VWB/VSF) will be hosting two webinars focused on building a more sustainable future.
December 5, 2022 is International Volunteer Day.