By Josep Subirana (Veterinary Training Advisor)
09 May 2011

Since childhood, I’ve wanted to make it to Dakar, just like my motorbike pal, Marc Coma, champion of the Paris Dakar race, although his experiences in Senegal have been very different to mine.

As I drive to Vélingara, North of Senegal, I realise that working horses and donkeys  are responsible for moving most of the goods and people but frequently don’t receive the best deal.

Vélingara has a very high population of working horses and donkeys with many welfare issues. Here, the Brooke is starting a new project in association with Vétérinaires sans Frontières. I am going to train 10 government veterinarians and veterinarian assistants. The first step to changing things is to build understanding and capacity and this is what I am trying to do.

Training is in French and my accent gets more Senegalese day after day. The cost of tooth paste is double what you would pay in Europe. Toothpicks offered at a local restaurant are made out of local hardwoods.  Electricity comes and goes and animals scavenge in the dusty streets, littered with plastic bags.

Johan Roels, the Brooke's West Africa Regional Representative for Senegal, and I, find it difficult to relax in the 40 degree heat after a hard day’s work helping animals in need. Let’s see if the match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid helps us to face another busy day tomorrow. 

In many cases, we start from scratch teaching equine welfare but with these trainees, I detect some good understanding and skills. That is reassuring.

Find out more about the Brooke's work in Senegal.