Our Latest Volunteer- Ziva
Ziva from Slovenia heard about TOLFA for the first time at the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) Symposium in Glasgow in January 2009. Here’s her story:
I stopped at TOLFA’s stand and found out who they were and what they did in the animal welfare world. I became interested at once and decided to apply for volunteering. I worked hard to get enough money during the summer to afford the journey; and all of a sudden here it was – September and the departure day. I arrived at Delhi airport at 4 in the morning. Some nice Indian guys helped me to get into the city centre and find the old Delhi railway station.
Our Project Raja volunteer Ziva giving TLC to a pup
My first impressions of India were: hot, wet, overcrowded and dirty! I didn’t know if it was possible to survive more than a month in this insane country. But I quickly changed my mind!
From the first day, everything passed SO quickly … at the beginning, probably because everything was so new, so different … I had to learn the way of treating the animals at TOLFA, what medicines they have, how they use them …
At the beginning I realised how difficult it is to maintain sterile conditions, but it’s incredible how few infections occur. I’ve learned that we definitely complicate too much at home about many aspects… It surprised me how many animals they manage to cure without any real diagnostic tools – no rtg, no ultrasound, even no blood tests! I saw diseases like TVT (transvenereal tumours), dogs that survived distemper, rabid dogs and calves … so many cases that you can never see at home!
Cows with their legs in casts and cleaning the wounds infected with puss and/or maggots was also an upsetting experience. I couldn’t believe that a cow with two legs in casts can actually stand up and walk around … Giving the water buffalo with chronic mastitis an intramammary injection was an adrenaline experience. And surgery, they actually let me do castrations and spays during my last week myself, not just endless watching like I was used to at home – I learned to much and was given so much practical experience.
Ziva appreciated the opportunity for some practical operating experience
And the dogs were so sweet … sometimes I didn’t feel like walking the dogs, with the sun burning in my head and trying to persuade the stubborn blind dog to get back into the kennel – but their gratefulness was enough to find this so self-satisfying. And the shelter dogs were always so happy when they got your love and attention and a tasty biscuit. I miss Shanti, Bobby, Salu, Squirrel, Panda …
I had problems remembering the names of all the TOLFA staff. If you are bad with names in general (as I am) I have to admit that I still didn’t remember them all when I left. But they were all so kind (thank you guys!!) and even the language didn’t pose a real problem. After a while you learn their accent and way of speaking. Dr. Sachin and Dr. Ashok explained everything I asked in detail and were very patient and relaxed even when I didn’t understand exactly what they wanted me to do and when I could have looked really stupid. I think that Indian people just don’t know how to be nervous.
The road to TOLFA is so beautiful with the hills around. I always felt like in a computer game, riding my scooter, avoiding all the goats, cows and water buffalo’s on the road – but it was so much fun! When we got there we usually drank chai and walked some dogs, after that daily dog and large animal treatments began, and the surgery. Lunch at 1 o’clock came in no time and was always accompanied by a Sharda’s warm smile. After lunch we did pre- (for the dogs to be given ABC the following day) and post operation checks and treated the animals that farmers brought in, walked more dogs … and of course, there was another chai time in the afternoon.
And Pushkar itself is amazing! I loved all the shops and spent quite a lot on shopping for wonderful clothes and gifts. I loved just walking around, talking with people in their shops, drinking chai, going to eat with other volunteers. I think that some kind of happy atmosphere is in the air there, maybe there is some special reason for this place being a holy town.
There are so many things to do in Pushkar … for example, I went on a 24 hour camel safari and it was simply amazing! Meeting ordinary Indian farmers and especially their children who are running with the camels and seem so happy to see a foreign tourist, eating delicious Indian meals prepared on the campfire, enjoying the sunrise and sunset in the fabulous semi desert … unreal. And as a dedicated horse lover I went on a short riding trip as well, galloping between the herds of water buffalos and on sandy dunes was breathtaking. One of the hotel staff, Ravi, was very kind and organized these trips. The Paramount hotel guys were so kind, smiling and helpful! Once they prepared a huge special Indian dinner for all the hotel guests. We talked well into the night, and the evening finished with playing drums and learning how to sing some Indian songs.
The down side were some minor health problems, I think that barely any Westerner can avoid it … I got fever for a few days and later a stomach bug after some food in an otherwise clean and hygienic restaurant.
From my arrival, I was sure that TOLFA was doing a good and important job for the animals and also people of the region every day … but this was enormously emphasised when I joined the event for World Rabies Day 2009.
Ziva joins in with schoolchildren for our World Rabies Day 2009 event in Pushkar
TOLFA organised a walk of hundreds of children through Pushkar carrying banners and distributing leaflets on rabies prevention to the townsfolk. The children attended a lecture from the TOLFA doctors and trustees after the walk – they learned how to protect people and animals from this fatal disease, about the importance of vaccination and going to the doctor if you are bitten. The only way to reduce the rate of rabies cases, which has the highest incidence globally in India, is in education of the next generation and I think that TOLFA’s approach is something that can actually help – that’s a big thing!
The time to say goodbye came just too quickly. My Indian experience continued in Delhi, Agra (of course I had to catch a glimpse of Taj Mahal ;)), Haridwar and Rishikesh (with rafting on the Ganga river – recommended!) for the following ten days. And now I’m at home in Slovenia (this is a small country in Europe next to Italy) attending my lectures and practicals in the 4th year of vet school and hoping to see India again. You just can’t help falling in love with the country and especially its people and animals!
Thank you TOLFA for a life changing experience.
Živa Černe (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
