Our Projects
Practical teaching for para-vet students
Equine teaching for vet students at Lilongwe vet school
Equine teaching for vet students at Lilongwe vet school
Para-vets provide the vast majority of veterinary care in Malawi. We are delighted to partner with Natural Resources College (NRC) to provide practical training for students.
We support the future para-vets who the animals of Malawi rely on.
Equine teaching for vet students at Lilongwe vet school
Equine teaching for vet students at Lilongwe vet school
Equine teaching for vet students at Lilongwe vet school
Working donkeys support the livelihoods of communities living in rural Malawi. We partner with Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure that graduating vets have been trained in equine medicine and basic surgery.
International vet student surgical training course
Equine teaching for vet students at Lilongwe vet school
International vet student surgical training course
In partnership with Lilongwe Society for Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA)
- Two week surgical training course
- Six canine neutering (spays and castrates) days
- Four donkey outreach clinics
- Train alongside Malawian vet students
- Get in touch for more details
Community outreach clinics
Malawian vet student bursary
International vet student surgical training course
We provide canine neutering and rabies vaccination clinics for low-income communities in Malawi. In addition we also run health clinics for working donkeys that are vital for the livelihoods of rural farmers.
Malawian vet student bursary
Malawian vet student bursary
Malawian vet student bursary
Your kind donations help us support Malawian vet students, by providing financial support to ensure they are able to pursue further studies at vet school.
Research
Malawian vet student bursary
Malawian vet student bursary
- Yeomans, A., Hampson, R. and Razemba, T., 2025. What ‘knot’to do whilst castrating donkeys. A retrospective comparison of ligation method on spermatic cord haemorrhage in 261 donkeys castrated by vet students in rural Malawi using transfixing and modified millers' ligatures. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 152, p.105639
- Prevalence of
- Yeomans, A., Hampson, R. and Razemba, T., 2025. What ‘knot’to do whilst castrating donkeys. A retrospective comparison of ligation method on spermatic cord haemorrhage in 261 donkeys castrated by vet students in rural Malawi using transfixing and modified millers' ligatures. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 152, p.105639
- Prevalence of antibiotic resistant genes in canine faecal samples collected from dogs in urban Lilongwe. Study ongoing, in conjunction with Aberysthwyth University
Meet the team
Rebecca Hampson
Precious Mastala
Rebecca Hampson
Rebecca co-founded the animal welfare charity VEM alongside her fiancé Angus after a volunteer trip to Lilongwe in 2020, where she fell in love with the beautiful country of Malawi. As a trustee, Rebecca oversees the day-to-day operations of the charity and plays a significant role in shaping the overall strategic direction of the organiz
Rebecca co-founded the animal welfare charity VEM alongside her fiancé Angus after a volunteer trip to Lilongwe in 2020, where she fell in love with the beautiful country of Malawi. As a trustee, Rebecca oversees the day-to-day operations of the charity and plays a significant role in shaping the overall strategic direction of the organization. With a long-standing passion for animal welfare, she completed an MSc in International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law at the University of Edinburgh in 2021. Her dissertation explored the connection between gender equality and animal welfare among Malawian subsistence farmers, highlighting the importance of veterinary education and Malawi veterinary training. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys walking with her beautiful Malawian street dog, Maggie, and supporting vet students through vet volunteering initiatives.
Angus Yeomans
Precious Mastala
Rebecca Hampson
Angus is a co-founder of VEM, an animal welfare charity, where he leads the equine side of the charity's activities and is responsible for building the equine curriculum at LUANAR. He is passionate about veterinary education, particularly in teaching and mentoring future veterinary surgeons. Following his first volunteer trip to Malawi in
Angus is a co-founder of VEM, an animal welfare charity, where he leads the equine side of the charity's activities and is responsible for building the equine curriculum at LUANAR. He is passionate about veterinary education, particularly in teaching and mentoring future veterinary surgeons. Following his first volunteer trip to Malawi in 2020, Angus recognized the critical need for improved Malawi veterinary training in equine veterinary medicine and surgery, especially given the large donkey population and the lack of formal equine veterinary training for vets and para-vets. In the U.K, Angus' interests lie in orthopaedics and sports medicine, and he will be undertaking a surgical residency starting in July 2026. This background equips him with a wealth of knowledge and experience that he brings to his work with VEM, where he continues to make a meaningful difference to the lives of equines and their owners in Malawi, inspiring vet students and those interested in vet volunteering.
Precious Mastala
Precious Mastala
Precious Mastala
Precious joined VEM as a trustee in 2021 after meeting Rebecca and Angus during his student internship with the LSPCA in 2020, which sparked his passion for animal welfare charity work. His main interests lie in neglected zoonotic diseases and the One Health approach. Currently, he is completing a public health MSc at the University of Ar
Precious joined VEM as a trustee in 2021 after meeting Rebecca and Angus during his student internship with the LSPCA in 2020, which sparked his passion for animal welfare charity work. His main interests lie in neglected zoonotic diseases and the One Health approach. Currently, he is completing a public health MSc at the University of Arizona. He is now, pursuing a PhD in epidemiology. His journey as a vet student has deeply influenced his aspirations in vet volunteering and research.
Catherine Wood
Catherine Wood
Precious Mastala
Catherine is a lecturer in clinical medicine at LUANAR veterinary faculty, contributing to the field of veterinary education in Malawi. Since 2008, she has collaborated with several veterinary organisations in Malawi, including the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, the Lilongwe SPCA, and Mission Rabies, which are notable animal welfare charities.
Catherine is a lecturer in clinical medicine at LUANAR veterinary faculty, contributing to the field of veterinary education in Malawi. Since 2008, she has collaborated with several veterinary organisations in Malawi, including the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, the Lilongwe SPCA, and Mission Rabies, which are notable animal welfare charities. Primarily a clinical veterinarian specializing in emergency and critical care for small animals, Catherine also nurtures an interest in infectious disease epidemiology and promotes One Health approaches. Her dedication extends to vet students and vet volunteering, enhancing Malawi veterinary training for future professionals.
Joe Banda
Catherine Wood
Joe Banda
Joe joined the team in February 2023, and his work is truly essential to our animal welfare charity. He is responsible for coordinating field clinics and communicating with community leaders. Joe is committed to improving animal welfare and plays a key role in educating the local community about animal handling, welfare, and husbandry pra
Joe joined the team in February 2023, and his work is truly essential to our animal welfare charity. He is responsible for coordinating field clinics and communicating with community leaders. Joe is committed to improving animal welfare and plays a key role in educating the local community about animal handling, welfare, and husbandry practices. His dedication also supports vet students and those involved in vet volunteering.
Support our cause!
Your generosity matters. Your donations keep us on the road, caring for animals in need. You support the education of Malawian veterinary and para-veterianry students, to ensure long lasting sustainable change. Thank you.
