Mali
SPANA has been working in Mali since 1996, making a huge difference to the lives of thousands of working animals – from the rubbish dump donkeys of the cities to the camels of the tribes in the North.
Our veterinary clinic and mobile clinic are based in the capital of Bamako. One of our major successes in Mali has been our work with 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.
In Northern Mali, our community veterinary healthcare projects are also very successful. We trained and equipped local tribesmen in basic treatments for horses, donkeys, goats and camels. From this these ‘paravets’ can now make a small sustainable income and improve the lives of their local communities.
We also broadcast on local radio. Jo Toye, one of the main scriptwriters from The Archers, wrote a series of radio scripts about a Malian family and their donkey 'Big Ears' especially for SPANA. The success of this series has prompted Ministry of Health officials to use the family in a new series of public health broadcasts. This way we make a large number of the population aware of the importance of animal welfare.
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