Overseas experiences
Want to work or do voluntary work overseas? Not sure what’s involved? The British Veterinary Association (BVA) Overseas Group has brought together some accounts of overseas experiences.
Hands up to help
Those who have enjoyed the benefits of a good education are often keen to ‘give something back’. There is a particularly strong sense of duty among new veterinary graduates, with many expressing an interest in becoming involved in overseas welfare or development projects. John Bonner explores the opportunities for members of the profession to do voluntary work abroad. We are grateful to BSAVA for giving us permission to reproduce the article Hands up to help which first appeared in the August 2010 edition of Companion, the BSAVA membership magazine.
Some goings on in Rwanda
Stephen Hipkins has been living in Rwanda since the beginning of 2010 while his wife, Melissa, is on a VSO placement as an Educational Management Advisor for schools in Nyanza district. Stephen has taken up a post as lecturer for ISAE (Institute Superior d' Agriculture et de l'Elevage) veterinary school, Busogo, near Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri). Visit http://www.melissawanda.blogspot.com/ for the whole story with photographs.
Under the Baobab tree
Recent graduates Tina Nurse and Kim Willoughby describe their experiences volunteering with TAWESO (Tanzania Animal Welfare Society).
No ordinary holiday: volunteering at Mdzananda
As a new graduate from the Royal Veterinary College, Claire Chadwick volunteered at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Cape Town during August 2010. Claire has written about her time at Mdzananda which she describes as ‘one of the best things she has ever done’.
A Monsoon Summer 2010: EMS in India
After finishing their fourth year, Liverpool students Anna Jones and Rachel Wyllie took the opportunity to do something different with some of their EMS and contacted Help in Suffering in Jaipur to spend a month seeing practice with the charity. Anna has written a report describing her ‘experience of a lifetime’.
An Indian summer
Vicki Black spent three weeks at Bangalore Veterinary College after graduating from Cambridge Veterinary School in summer 2009 and has written a fascinating account of her time there.
Vicki feels extremely privileged to have had such an amazing experience and is interested in helping or advising others who are considering doing something similar.
Treating township animals in South Africa
George Lightfoot spent two months in early 2009 working at the IFAW-funded Mdzananda animal clinic in one of South Africa’s poorest township communities on the outskirts of Cape Town. George has written about his experiences at the clinic.
Broadening horizons, forging links
Taking time out of day-to-day practice life and working overseas as a volunteer veterinary surgeon offers opportunities for broadening horizons, gaining experience with unfamiliar species, making new friends and, perhaps, reflecting on one’s career to date.
In this article, Jack explains how he became involved with the Help in Suffering animal welfare charity in India, and describes some of the ins and outs of life as a volunteer.
On a Mission: caring for working equids abroad
After an unpromising start, Gigi carved a career for herself working for organisations providing veterinary care for the working equids in some of the poorest communities overseas.
Here she describes some of her experiences, as well as the challenges facing the communities, their animals and, in turn, the organisations striving to help them.
The SPCA’s challenges in Fiji
The islands of Fiji are suffering from a serious shortage of vets.
Christina May, who spent some time as a volunteer with the Fiji SPCA, describes the challenges facing the islanders and their animals.
Work experience Thai-style
Jacky Jonker MRCVS talks of her experiences working at the Noistar Thai Animal Rescue Foundation
Before joining the real world
Catherine Henstridge MRCVS spent some time working at Pang Ngan Animal Care, based on Ko Pang Ngan, an island off the south-east coast of Thailand.
A postcard from Marrakech
Helen Shreeve MRCVS spent 9 weeks working for the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), in Morocco, before continuing her travels to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Voluntary Service Overseas
See also reports and newsletters received during Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) postings from
We can give general advice as well as putting enquirers in touch with colleagues who have served, or are still serving, in a specific country or region. For more information contact Helena Cotton, helenac@bva.co.uk
Recent requests for volunteers are included in the overseas newsletter
See also