#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Donald Hilborn, an Agricultural Advisor from Ontario who recently completed his third VETS placement in Kenya (March–April 2026) with our local partner, Meru Dairy, supporting small-scale dairy farmers in building more sustainable and resilient feeding systems.
In this edition of #VETSVolunteerVoices, we shift perspective — from volunteer reflections to the voice of a local VETS program partner working directly with farmers on the ground. Meet Rebecca Ndembo, an Extension Officer with Wakulima Dairy in Kenya. For several years, Rebecca has worked alongside farmers and VETS volunteers to strengthen dairy practices, improve animal health, and support more resilient rural livelihoods.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers. Meet Kavitha Misra, a Gender Advisor in Vietnam from February 2021 to October 2023. Drawing on her volunteer experience — and her ongoing role as VWB’s Gender Advisor — Kavitha reflects on how her placement shaped her confidence, perspective, and approach to gender-responsive One Health work.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Grace Friesen, an Animal Health Advisor who spent three months in Kenya (May–August 2025) with our local partner, Meru Dairy, helping farmers improve herd health and milk production while learning firsthand how knowledge exchange can strengthen entire communities.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Méli-Jade Léveillé-Blais, an Animal Health Advisor who spent three months in Kenya (May–August 2025) with our local partner, Meru Dairy, training farmers, building local leadership, and strengthening community resilience through better dairy practices.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Maddalena Jacobson, an Animal Health Advisor who spent three months in Kenya (May–August 2025) with our local partner, Wakulima Dairy, strengthening dairy management practices and supporting women farmers to build more resilient livelihoods.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you inspiring stories from the field, showcasing the impactful work of our dedicated VETS program volunteers. Meet Dr. Riley Bauman (DVM), an Animal Health Advisor who spent two months in Kenya (April–June 2025), working alongside smallholder dairy farmers and Meru Dairy staff to promote animal health, gender equity, and sustainable livelihoods.
In Meru County, Kenya, Community One Health Champion Ann Kagwira is improving her farm’s productivity and herd health through ongoing collaboration with VETS volunteers and Meru Dairy — demonstrating how long-term support and continuous learning can drive lasting change for farmers and their communities.
Megan Sylka, Senior Program Officer at VWB, shares how her recent visit to Kenya revealed the powerful ripple effects of the VETS program—highlighting how Community One Health Champion Shelmith Mwai is transforming her dairy farm, her family dynamics, and her community through knowledge, leadership, and collaboration.
Watch a replay of our World Environment Day 2025 webinar which showcased the voices of VWB’s VETS volunteers working alongside local partners to advance climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and One Health solutions. The panelists shared community-led approaches, environmental challenges, and practical innovations from Cambodia, Kenya, and Laos.
In recognition of World Zoonoses Day 2026, this article explores how community-centered One Health approaches can help detect, prevent, and respond to zoonotic diseases before they become global health emergencies.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories from the field shared by passionate VETS program volunteers. Meet Vincent Auclair, a Fundraising Advisor who spent four and a half months in Cambodia (January–May 2026) with our local partner, AVSF Cambodia, supporting proposal development, fundraising systems, and organizational capacity strengthening.
From Community Animal Health Workers to livestock keepers participating in the Passing-on-the-Gift model, communities across South Sudan are carrying forward the skills, knowledge, and systems strengthened through the 1-SHOP project. As the project concludes, we reflect on the lasting impacts of this community-led approach to resilience.
