This two-week course is designed to give you a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine in Malawi, with a focus on both wildlife and small animals. You will be taught by veterinarians from two of Malawi’s leading animal welfare organisations, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals. 

Description of LWT days: 

Under the instruction of our veterinary team, you’ll be taught through both lectures and wet labs. You’ll have a chance to learn about parasitology, haematology, primate infectious and non-infectious diseases, emergency management, rehabilitation, pharmacology, medication, suture patterns in wildlife, remote capture systems, and key conservation issues. You’ll assist with our annual health monitoring programme for primates, which includes physical exams, patient monitoring, and sample collection and analysis.

Description of LSPCA days: 

The LSPCA field clinics are a dynamic and hands-on opportunity for you to gain practical experience in companion animal surgery and anaesthesia. You will actively participate in the anaesthesia and surgical procedures, under the close supervision of our experienced veterinarians and nursing team. This hands-on experience will allow you to learn proper surgical techniques, through observation, assisting, and performing the surgeries yourself as you gain confidence and proficiency as well as learning how to administer and monitor anaesthesia in a field setting. In addition to spaying and neuter surgeries, our field clinics are a great opportunity to provide primary care to sick animals presented. Cases are varied and you may have the opportunity to encounter a variety of cases, such as transmissible venereal tumours, babesiosis, and distemper to name a few.

Entry criteria: applicants must be studying for a vet-related qualification.

Duration: Two weeks

Project Dates

3 August to 15 August

Price: £1,800 GBP per person

Price includes accommodation, vegetarian meals, unlimited water, tea and coffee, airport transfers from Lilongwe, all work-related transport, course activities, a local SIM card, LWT and LSPCA T-shirts and an LSPCA surgical cap.

All other expenses will be your responsibility. This includes flights, visas, vaccinations, a TB scan, and any excursions, souvenirs, nights outs, snacks and other personal expenses you might have.

Booking details: please go to www.lilongwewildlife.org/volunteer to apply.