Volunteer Abroad

June 23, 2010 — 

The CNFA is seeking volunteers to participate in training swine farm managers, veterinarians and laboratory specialists in Belarus. These volunteer opportunities are sponsored by funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer program.

Ananichi Farm in Belarus is seeking CNFA volunteer assistance in developing an effective pig health management program. The volunteer will provide training to the farm's managers and veterinarian, and specialists of the local laboratory on the following issues: 1) Diseases of reproduction; 2) Lactation and post-farrowing problems; 3) Enteric, respiratory, nervous, locomotor, skin and other diseases; 4) Swellings, lameness and traumatic injuries; 5) Septicemia, sudden death, urinary system conditions. In addition, the volunteer is expected to train the farm's managers and veterinarian, and specialists of the local laboratory in: 1) Sampling for laboratory analyses; 2) Diagnosing pig diseases based on post-mortem examination; 3) Defining correct application of live or inactivated vaccines based on the laboratory tests results; and 4) Developing strategic medication and vaccination programs, based on the problems existing at the farm and laboratory analyses.

The assignments, which are generally between two and three weeks in length, meet specific and pressing needs within host organizations. All expenses are paid by CNFA which has assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. A full list of currently open assignments can be found on the volunteer page of the CNFA website. Additionally, more information regarding the program can be found on the Farmer-to-Farmer website, by emailing farmertofarmer@cnfa.org or calling CNFA at (202) 296-3920.