Are you a vet student in North America or Europe?
If you are currently studying at university and are planning to take an Industry Year placement or Extra-Mural Studies, LSPCA’s volunteer programme has been specifically designed for students to gain fundamental professional skills required upon graduation. The LSCPAs WTS-Vets United Coordinator, Dr. Madeline Nyamwanza, leads our early clinical induction programme with the Lilongwe University BVM students.
Dr. Madeline is highly qualified and enjoys working with soon-to-be- graduates! Not only will you gain invaluable knowledge in a once-in-a-lifetime experience abroad, but LSPCA will also provide a unique insight into how an African Animal Welfare organization operates, demonstrating how all the departments rely upon one another to make an impact in the field and with the general public, to ultimately improve the welfare of animals in a less privileged part of the world, where making ends meet is a day-to-day concern.
Our veterinary clinic is open six days a week, is traditionally “western-style” and always welcomes veterinary surgeons and nurses from other backgrounds and countries! This is a charitable practice that is open to paying clients offering a veterinary service at a competitive rate in order to support LSPCA’s work in underprivileged communities. We have a range of equipment, from an x-ray machine to a mini-lab (vet-test idexx), ultrasound, and anesthetic machine. Apart from our clinic, you will be able to become heavily involved in other areas of LSPCA including:
- Rabies Vaccination Campaign
- Community Vet Programmes
- Humane Education
- Rehoming Shelter
Summary
- Clinical year veterinary students
- 2 week volunteer experience
- Surgical training in equine castration and small animal neutering
- Large and small animal field anaesthesia
- Counts towards clinical EMS
- Dates to be confirmed dependent on COVID 19, provisionally July 2021 and February 2022
- Volunteer with the LSPCA in Lilongwe, Malawi
- In association with the University and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
- Exclusive opportunity for UoE students
- Space for 4 volunteers at once
- Opportunity to meet, work and train with local para-vets
What to expect
You will be picked up from the airport and after a short drive arrive at the LSPCA where you will settle into your accommodation. The team will meet each morning at the LSPCA and we will drive to various sites around Lilongwe to perform canine neutering for the local community or to rural areas around Lilongwe and Dedza to run donkey castration clinics. You will become proficient in both male and female canine neutering, large and small animal field anaesthesia and equine castration. Throughout your experience. This is a great opportunity to form friendships, share cultures and clinical experience. On certain days, also expect to meet and participate in donkey castration clinics with para-vets, this is a unique opportunity to learn about life and veterinary practice in rural Malawi.
Your time in Malawi will be a life changing experience. Some things that you should be aware of before committing to this project are the days are long, hot and challenging and the work can be difficult. The accommodation provided will shared rooms and shared bathroom. The human and animal suffering which you may encounter can be emotionally difficult to experience. Having said that, the work is extremely rewarding, you will make lifelong friends and have unique memories stories to tell from your time working in this beautiful country.
Malawi is a beautiful country and if you have time we cannot recommend enough visiting some of the extraordinary sites. Including national parks, like Liwonde or Kasungu. Hike in some stunning destinations like Mount Mulanje or amid the tea plantations of Thyolo. Or relax at the beautiful serene Lake of Stars.
Simple. Send an email to enquire further to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Include your name and a small paragraph about yourself and why you would like to come with us. We would more happily answer and questions/queries you have via telephone or email. We look forward to hearing from you.
VOLUNTEER TESTIMONIALS
Charlotte
Joining LSPCA out in the field was an amazing opportunity to gain more surgical hands-on experience. It was motivational and uplifting to see how well the veterinarians collaborated with the local community.
Samantha Swartzenntruber
My experience at LSPCA has far exceeded my expectations. Everyone here was welcoming and made me feel like part of the team. My favourite part was getting the opportunity to perform a dog castration (with guidance) for the first time. I am especially grateful to Dr. Tino, and Dr. Maddy for all their teaching during the two weeks I spent at LSPCA
Maike Mueller
Before I came to LSPCA I was worried that I would be a burden as I didn’t have much handling skills and even less practical veterinary skills, but the whole team, especially the clinic, was so patient with me! I really enjoyed the spay days and farm clinics.
Magdalena Domagala
I decided to come to LSPCA because I wanted to contribute my professional skills to a country where animal welfare is poor but at the same time be able to travel and experience a new culture. My favourite part of the placement at LSPCA was the fieldwork.