Wildlife Veterinary Internship at Kenya Wildlife Service

Here’s some more awesomeness that I get to experience while working at the KWS orphanage. This is Bolt, he’s a very cute cheetah. Apparently, him and his buddy Rider were well socialized as babies and they act just like house cats!. Today, we had our first day at Kenya Wildlife Services. There, I’ll being working in the animal orphanage as well as the Safari Walk. In the orphanage, they take in injured and orphaned animals and rehabilitate them and when they grow larger, they go into the larger enclosures in the Safari Walk. Most of them cannot be reintroduced into the wild for obvious reasons.

At the orphanage, there are so many animals! Many, many lions, many more monkeys (mostly baboons), cheetahs, leopards, white zebras, white rhinos, crocs, african wild dogs (cutest dogs in the world), genets, giraffes, buffalo and warthogs. The warthogs are the only animals that get to roam completely loose within the facility and they clearly love it! I must say that most of the enclosures are absolutely fantastic! The lion enclosure for the safari walk (with four lions in it) blew my mind-it was so large and included so much foliage that it appeared as though they were nowhere to be seen. It was incredible, honestly.

The next day, we went to go capture the antelope and it is one of the most thrilling experiences that I have ever been given the opportunity to partake in. We set up A LOT of nets and hid in the brush while two safari trucks literally chase the quadrupeds as close into the nets as they possibly can. At that point, the other workers and literally catch and physically restrain the animals. No tranquilizing necessary! . That night we made a very bumpy, 5 hour drive to Nakuru and arrived at about 2 in the morning, where we set them free. As simple as it was, that was probably my favorite part of the trip.

Even as dangerous as it was, I definitely hope to go on another field trip with the veterinarians. Open this link for more of my expereince Interning at Kenya Wildlife Service: ….

http://ashleyvharrison.tumblr.com


Volunteer Dental Mission in Kenya:-

I have always believed that helping those in need is one of the most important things in life and I was keen to do something that could also make use of my skills as a dentist. It was this thought that prompted me to contact the coordinator of Gracepatt Ecotours Kenya, Patrick Karimi (who runs the company with his wife Grace), to find out more about their dental internship project. And, after hearing about the poor state of dental care in the deprived area of Malindi, I decided I wanted to help.

To prepare for my month-long trip into the unknown, I spent a few weeks gathering up as many dental supplies as I could. I was taken aback by the generosity of companies such as Wright Cottrell, Colgate and Oral B and others who kindly donated items including gloves, masks, visors, filling material, disinfectant wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes and scrubs as well as toys and stickers for children. With everything I’d need carefully packaged, it was finally time to set off for Kenya. ………continue reading my Kenya Dental Mission here : http://www.theyoungdentist.com/za/volunteer/articles/383-dental-health-promotion-in-malindi-kenya

Dr. Hari Shankar Lal works as a Dentist in Dedridge Dental Centre, Livingstone


Medical Internship in Kenya

We saw some interesting surgeries last week, including tumour removals, hernia reductions and the fixing of a burst abdomen a few days after a c-section. The theatre is the only air conditioned room in the hospital which was very enticing! I’m pretty proud that I didn’t feel faint watching the surgeries as on the first day I struggled just seeing a little blood on the maternity ward, but I think as time went on we got used to the heat and the smells………………………… here is my blog: http://abypaultravels.blogspot.com/

Abigail Paul

Studying Medicine at The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, United Kingdom …. May/June, 2012


Medical Internship in Kenya

Our last week at the hospital was another really good one. We saw some more surgery, including a young guy who was suffering from a really painful hernia. We also spent some time in occupational therapy which was interesting – we saw a lot of kids with cerebral palsy and other problems as a result of various infections, and helped with the rehabilitation exercises a bit. There was also a severe case of hydrocephaly, and one of microcephaly, as well as a three year old girl who suffered from tetanus as a result of her umbilical cord having been cut with a dirty knife when she was born at home… it was a really tragic situation that could have been so easily avoided, and to see all the difficulties she was having three years later (she couldn’t hold herself to sit up, she couldn’t speak or communicate, she had muscle spasms all over) was really sad. Some of the children had a better prognosis than others, but hopefully the occupational therapy brings some benefit to all of them……………………………………………

Visit my Kenya Adventure Blog: http://po-in-kenya.blogspot.com/

Julia Houston

Studying Medicine at The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, United Kingdom …. May/June, 2012


Veterinary Internship in Kenya

Today I had my last day of work at the Animal Clinic, which was really a wonderful experience! I received so much hands on experience and actually got to really participate in the surgeries (make incisions, do stitches, etc.) as well as administer vaccines and such. It was just wonderful! I really feel this was excellent placements for pre-veterinary and veterinary students (I would recommend some previous clinical experience to get the most out of it. Have a look at my blog for my Internship experiences:

http://noellekenyasummer.blogspot.com/
Noelle Schottle
Veterinary student:
Bowdoin College, United States of America
July 14, 2011


volunteer at animal orphanage in Kenya

The attachment has certainly been a wonderful experience, and I learnt a lot about
animal husbandry. Being so close to the animals and having to care for them, clean their cages, prepare their food etc has definitely given me great insights in the
complexities involved in the caring for the animals. I gained many learning points, and am glad I chose to come to Kenya to experience work at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
On top of that, I must say that staying with the host family has made the experience all the more worthwhile. Serah and Ronnie are just amazing people, and they showed genuine concern for me when I had traveler’s diarrhea upon arrival in Kenya. The
went all out to make sure we were okay, and it was great having a family away from
home. I wouldn’t have chosen another host family, and I’m really glad to have been
with them.

Heng Yirui

Student, University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine

Singapore

July, 2011


Volunteer at Children Home in Kenya

This was one of my memorable moment in my life when I volunteered with Gracepatt Ecotours Kenya working in a children’s Home which comprised an orphanage and a school , These kids are great. Since then I have won the favor of the boys. Some of them are completely in love : ) They say one day they will go to America and find a beautiful wife just like me. So now at night I have about twenty kids sitting on the floor, or buckets, or laying on the bed. A couple of days ago one of the boys set beside me for an hour not joining in with the conversation just holding my hand and stroking my hair. I am such a new creator to these kids. They touch my freckles, trace my veins, pinch my skin to watch it turn red, etc. One little girl asked me why my blood was green, talking about the color of my veins. I truly think I have been asked every question possible about America, my life, or my skin and hair. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have been an open book to these kids…..Visit my blog for my itinerary from arrival to departure:

http://www.candicebagwell.blogspot.com/

Candice Bagwell

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

United States of America

25th February, 2011