Here's an update about TAWESO and what your donations to AKI have achieved during January-June 2017.
During May 2017, TAWESO used AKI funds for donkey veterinary outreach clinics held over a 2 week period, an expanded version of the usual clinics of 2-3 days. The clinics were held in Mpwapwa District in the central part of Tanzania in rural villages around the mountains, specifically in the villages of Kisokwe, Chang’ombe, Musungwi, Ukaguluni, Ikulu, Bwagala, Salanda, Isosoleka, and Chinyila. (See pictures of the clinics below.)
TAWESO helped a total of 698 donkeys during the clinics. TAWESO de-worms, dresses wounds, and treats disease conditions (e.g. tick borne, eye problems, skin problems) and lameness. TAWESO also talks with donkey owners and children about how to take care of their working donkeys, encourages owners to allow their donkeys to rest, water, and feed during the work day, and promotes the use of humane harnesses (See picture below.)
The TAWESO football teams (what a great idea that is!) composed of donkey owners were a huge help during the clinics (pictures below).
TAWESO wishes to thank AKI donors Pamela and William and Adonia, as well as AKI for supporting these Donkey Outreach Clinics in villages where donkeys have been suffering so much and no veterinary care was provided in the areas previously. The communities were very grateful for the health care for their donkeys, the source of these rural peoples' livelihoods.
Specifically, TAWESO used AKI funds for:
Allowances
For a TAWESO volunteer who mobilized communities, especially donkey owners and community leaders, for the full 2 weeks that TAWESO worked in these areas. The allowance also covered the cost of hiring his motorbike.
Veterinary Medicines and Supplies
Purchase of wound sprays, ivermectin paste and ivermectin injection, diminazine aceturate, hydrogen peroxide, tincture of iodine, syringes and needles, cotton wool, bandages, alcohol, hand sanitizers, gloves, antibiotics (oxytetracyclines, penstreptomycine, amoxylins), dexamethasone, eye ointment
Transportation
Transportation from village to village during the two weeks that TAWESO worked in the villages.
Refreshments and Food
For 6 volunteers for 2 weeks during the clinics
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Earlier in 2017, TAWESO used AKI funds for:
1. Salaries-Allowances to TAWESO Animal Handler and vet volunteers for five weeks
2. Animal Food-Purchase of animal feed for cats and dogs at the TAWESO shelter in Dar es Salaam and those in foster care (chicken. beef, and dry food, and maize flour for nine weeks)
3. Medicines-Purchase of veterinary medicines (wound sprays, rabies vaccines, ivermectin, antibiotics, Spot On, disinfectants, bandages, ointments
4.Transport-For animal rescue, helping those in foster care and in the streets
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In April, I (Karen) spent a day with TAWESO while I was working in Tanzania. We held a Vet Outreach Clinic, during which about 70 dogs and 13 cats were de-wormed, given rabies vaccinations and flea/tick prevention, and provided with other care, as needed.
The clinic took place in Kamara, a suburb of Dar es Salaam (see pictures below). The focus was on a resource-poor community, where cat and dog owners would not normally have access to veterinary care for their animals. TAWESO regularly holds these clinics. As time and funds allow, TAWESO vets also spay/neuter during the clinics and they also hold separate spay/neuter clinics. AKI donated sutures to be used for spay/neuter and other surgical needs.
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TAWESO also continues to work on the donkey skin trade, as we reported in the AKI Blog post of February 19, 2017. Donkey skins are used to produce traditional Chinese medicine, and the increased interest and trade in skins is having a significant adverse impact on donkey populations and the people who rely on them.
If you'd like to support a donkey welfare clinic or other TAWESO activities, please designate them for your donation here, https://www.animal-kind.org/aki-donate