Each year, we assemble a volunteer veterinary taskforce to provide essential veterinary care to animals in Arusha District in Tanzania, in partnership with Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue. By providing accessible spay and neuter surgeries, as well as rabies vaccinations we are creating a healthier, more stable animal population.
Vet nurses, Kasia Tecza and Larissa Hodge, and vet, Ian Paterson, are from Fife on Scotland’s East Coast and between them have volunteered on eleven WVS sterilisation campaigns in northern Tanzania over the last five years. Ian first went out in January 2021 during the worldwide COVID pandemic - and after hearing him talking about his experience back home in the workplace - both Kasia and Larissa were keen to get involved.
Why do they keep coming back? “The excellent organisation of the WVS projects along with the opportunity to make a real difference in a beautiful country like Tanzania.”
“When I left my full time job as a vet at the very end of 2020, I was looking for an overseas volunteer position to gain an insight into this aspect of veterinary work” says Ian. “Due to the worldwide pandemic, there were very few opportunities out there but the WVS campaign in northern Tanzania in January 2021 was looking for volunteers. I signed up and was on the plane within a matter of a few months. There was a lot of additional paperwork and testing needing done due to COVID, both before leaving the UK and when in Tanzania. I was very impressed with the organisational skills and planning put into this by the WVS team and this quickly banished any fears I may have had about travelling and working abroad during the pandemic. That level of professionalism from WVS is one of the main reasons I now have six campaigns with them in Tanzania (amongst others) under my belt”.
Kasia works full time in clinical practice in Fife along with shifts at an out of hours service provider. “I live and breathe veterinary nursing and was desperately keen to volunteer abroad to see what I could learn and also hopefully share some nursing skills with others. Although I had done some travelling previously this would be a completely new experience for me. WVS were fantastic at ‘hand holding’ me through the initial stages of my first campaign with them but everything was so easy to navigate, and it became second nature for my next two trips. I absolutely love the experience of volunteering in Tanzania; it is a beautiful country and the locals we work alongside have become true friends”.
Larissa also works full time in the same practice in Fife and initially expressed an interest in volunteering when still a student. “I have always loved working with animals and have been involved with charities in Scotland. The opportunity to accompany Ian and Kasia on the WVS campaigns was a natural progression for me although it was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’ve recently returned from my second campaign and although incredibly hard work, I find the experience very rewarding and even managed to convince my partner Jack to join me as part of the Mission Rabies team this year! Each time we return to practice the other members of staff are fascinated with what we have been doing so my hope is that I can inspire others to consider volunteering too”.
When asked about his favourite aspect of taking part in the WVS campaigns Ian told us: “There are too many favourite bits to mention after six visits but if pressed I would say it’s the ability to share knowledge with the young Tanzanian vet graduates who join the campaigns. There is nothing more satisfying to me than starting the project working alongside a local vet graduate with limited surgical experience and finishing it two weeks later with a young vet brimming with confidence and eager to develop further. I have several WhatsApp chat groups with the Tanzanian vets I’ve worked with over the years, and we use them to regularly discuss clinical cases. The effects a campaign can have on you as a visiting professional extend so much farther than the two weeks you are there”.
We asked Kasia about her general experience of Tanzania and the places she visited. She told us, “I fell in love with this country and its people almost immediately. I was apprehensive initially but quickly came to realise that people generally are the same wherever you go - if you smile, they smile back! I have formed some firm friendships with the vets, nurses and para vets I have worked with and despite the long hot days and hard work, a great sense of humour always shines through. In the short breaks we get in the campaign I have been lucky enough to visit some beautiful national parks (Tarangire, Ngorongoro etc.)”
On asking Larissa about her experience of volunteering at Mbwa wa Africa (WVS partner charity) she had the following to say: “Jens and Sandra who run Mbwa wa Africa are amazing people, so kind hearted and gentle but also very organised and incredibly efficient at running the campaign on the ground. There is a wonderful new purpose-built clinic with masses of kennelling, a huge operating theatre and thoughtfully planned prep, recovery and consultation spaces. The facilities are really good and even include a lecture theatre for training purposes. The team of local vets, para vets and lay staff are all very friendly and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working and socialising with them. I’m already looking forward to seeing them all again next January!”
Kasia, Larissa and Ian have one simple piece of advice for anyone considering taking part in a WVS campaign - “just go for it!”
Are you thinking about volunteering?
Volunteering with WVS is more than just travelling, it’s making a difference for animals every day. Whether you are a vet nurse, vet or animal lover, we have volunteering opportunities for everyone. Our team will be with you every step of the way, ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable trip. Browse all of our opportunities.