Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO)
Over the last 10 years VSO have placed around 20 vets in various countries around the world, especially Cambodia, Malawi, Nepal, Uganda and Kiribati. There have been many more non-vet volunteers however - probably a further 40 - working in animal husbandry, livestock extension, beekeeping etc. In the last few years, however opportunities for veterinary placements have dwindled to around one per year, due to a lack of requests for vets from overseas employers. VSO also now recruits volunteers from Netherlands, Canada, India, Kenya and the Philippines, as well as the UK which means that there is more competition for these occasional placements.
The BVA Overseas Group has now produced a paper for VSO outlining the wide variety of skills that a UK graduate vet has, from clinical medicine and surgery, to animal husbandry, epidemiology and business management in many cases. It is hoped that this will provide VSO with the necessary information to advise prospective overseas employers of the veterinary skills on offer.
Latest information from VSO also points out that they receive very few applications from UK vets these days, and if an applicant is suitably qualified, and has 2 years of 'good' post-qualification work experience, they would probably keep his/her cv on hold in case a suitable placement came in. Experience in teaching or management is useful, but a qualification in these is not generally requested. The most important requirement, apart from a veterinary degree, is for someone with wide experience, particularly with large animals, and training experience would be a bonus.
To apply to VSO, check the website at www.vso.org.uk although it is also possible to fill in a paper application form if people prefer. As far as vets are concerned, because the placements are so few and far between, VSO are happy to receive a cv to start with. They can then request further information and a completed application form if and when a suitable placement appears. All applicants are required to attend a VSO Assessment Day before they are finally selected as VSO volunteers; this is an all-day event comprising interviews, group activities etc, which is designed to assess the candidates' personal, rather than professional, skills. After that, there are also a few compulsory pre-departure training courses to prepare volunteers for their time overseas. For this reason, it normally takes around 6 months from receipt of application until volunteers depart overseas to their placement. Placements are usually for 2 years.
Latest news on VSO placements
VSO does not receive many requests for livestock workers or vets from their partners overseas but any placements they need to fill will be posted at: http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteering/stepone/livestock_vet.asp
Reports from veterinary volunteers
During 2002 and 2003 the BVA Overseas Group sponsored Dr Sue Guthrie MRCVS who was working as a Veterinary Instructor at the Seti Technical School, Dipayal, Nepal. She wrote a series of fascinating newsletters describing her life and work while she was a VSO volunteer.
Australian vet, Pete Gray, maintained regular contact with the BVA Overseas Group during his VSO placement in Western Uganda where he worked as a Local Government Veterinary Officer in the Kibaale district. (The Kibaale district is underdeveloped with poor road infrastructure, low levels of education, poor sanitation and no grid electricity. Farming is typically subsistence only, with households having few animals). Follow the links to read Pete's August 2003 and April 2004 reports.
Erica Ayers, another Australian vet on a VSO posting in Dehra Dun, North India, kept in touch with the BVA Overseas Group during her placement in 2001-2002. Her ‘Diary of a Veterinary Volunteer in India’ provides a background to the community and gives an honest impression of the volunteer experience.
Link to VSO website - www.vso.org.uk