Positive outcomes in Guinea
The Liberia Animal Welfare & Conservation Society in Guinea have sent us an update on their recent activity:
"Working animals play a key role in the growth and development of the rural population in Kankan region, Republic of Guinea. Cattle, donkeys and horses are used for agricultural related activities and facilitating transport of goods and services for the population. These animals put food on the table for their owners and send many children to school. Unfortunately, these animals are used in horrible, unbearable and inhumane conditions. Sick, wounded, starving and very young animals are beaten and forced to work. Some of the animals even give off and die during working process. Children who should be exposed to kindness, respect, empathy and compassion for animals grow up seeing their elders abusing, beating and forcing the animals. The children are also the mainly abusers of the animals because they have learned it from their elders and think that is a normal and acceptable practice.
The project was designed to change attitudes and behaviors toward these hardworking animals and improving their welfare and health.
Summary of activities done in October 2020
1. Conducted working animal welfare awareness in 10 communities with 477 people (264 adults and 213 children).
2. Conducted stakeholder meeting with 15 local leaders. We brought the local leaders together from 15 communities and educated them about the health and welfare of working animals and their roles as leaders in helping to improve the welfare and health of the animals.
3. Provided various veterinary care and services to 219 working animals (106 donkeys, 4 horses and 109 cattle)
4. Provided meal to 54 donkeys and 20 cattle
5. Held meeting with the authorities and updated them about the work we do for the animals and the communities
Responses from the communities/animal owners
a. The authorities were so grateful for the substantial support toward the health and welfare improvement of the working animal population in the region. They expressed their fullest support for the programme.
b. The various communities expressed their appreciation for the programme. According to them, this is the first time in the history of Guinea for an organization to visit them in their remote villages with free services for their animals.
c. The animal owners also expressed that there are many things about their animals that they didn`t know and the programme has helped them in improving the lives of their working animals. "
