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  SPANA in Africa

SPANA's work began in Mali when we established a vet centre and mobile clinic in the capital of Bamako. Here, and in other cities, we have greatly improved the lives of the many donkeys that work pulling carts to rubbish dumps. Before we introduced basic veterinary care – such as regular worming, wound treatment and padded harnesses – the average lifespan of an animal was six months. It is now five years.

But our work is not restricted to the cities. In Northern Mali, our community veterinary healthcare projects have been incredibly successful. We have trained local tribesmen to recognise and treat basic ailments in horses, donkeys, goats and camels. We then equipped them to treat simple medical conditions on behalf of local livestock owners. This project provides a small sustainable income for the 'paravets', as they are known, in some of the world's most remote communities.

One of the innovative ways we promote better animal care is by broadcasting on local radio. Jo Toye, one of the main scriptwriters from The Archers, wrote a series of radio scripts especially for SPANA that carries an important message about animal welfare. The success of this radio series – about a Malian family and their donkey 'Big Ears' – has prompted Ministry of Health officials to use the family in a new series of public health broadcasts.

SPANA looks after donkeys that pull refuse carts to municipal rubbish dumps.

Photo: SPANA