Giving Tuesday 2020

2020-12-02

With VAST we go into developing countries suffering from the after-effects of environmental disasters. Unfortunately these disasters also mean that frequently there is political instability and chaos that develops, even amidst our planning and sometimes during our visits (we have been escorted more than once by military police!).

Since the safety of our volunteers and participants is always our highest priority, this has meant cancelling workshops (or possibilities) is a common theme – South Sudan in 2015 and 2017; Sierra Leone in 2017 and 2018; Fiji in 2018; and in 2020… everything (Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone and a train-the-trainer workshop set at Tulane in New Orleans).

Although we have always provided virtual consultations with our colleagues and people on the ground, being hands on is a far more effective and precise way to provide personal guidance and knowledge transfer. However, knowing that the areas we go to will likely lag behind in the ability to vaccinate for CoVID, we obviously need to have protocols in place to keep our people safe if we want to be able to continue doing the work we love to do. During clinics and animal health demonstrations/procedures surgical masks and face shields will be worn, but what about classroom time or when moving around the community when social distancing can be enforced?

The answer? These new *flash* VAST masks! Not only will they alert everyone exactly who our volunteers are, but in addition to vaccinations, can help provide a modicum of comfort and security without alienating the communities we are in. And why are we telling you? VAST’s Executive Director went a little overboard in purchasing. As a result when you make a minimum $25 donation to VAST before the end of 2020, you will receive a mask and handwritten note as a personal thank you from her (in addition to your charitable tax receipt!!).

As a side note: They make excellent conversation starters with random strangers… if you are into that sort of thing – which we all know that I am not… but hey I do live to talk up VAST, so what can you do

So check out our newly updated website (because afterall Jeff has worked super hard on it!!!) at www.vetsabroad.org and donate today!

Happy December!