|
|
|
|
|
The International Language of Compassion
Dr. Sudiati and Nana entertaining the children
in Sri Lankan refugee camp
7 February 2005
When in a disaster area there are always needs to be met. Although the main objective of HSI’s Field Clinic in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka is to stabilize and vaccinate the dog population in the surrounding tsunami affected areas, the MASH style clinic has become a place where every effort is made to meet all animal needs and human needs. From animal welfare to children’s play, the HSI Field Clinic has been continually bustling with activity, sometimes far into the night. Last night the team worked until midnight.
Ishan's adoption
Each visiting vet and volunteer has uniquely acquired or partaken in an activity within the community to further assist the victims in rehabilitating their lives. In only one week of the clinic being established in Arugam Bay over 5 dogs have been adopted. Dr. Komang Sudiati from Indonesia and volunteers Ishan Ramesh and Gamini Abeysinghe from Sri Lanka have welcomed new dogs into their lives and will be taking them home with them when they leave. The dogs have become mascots of the clinic, continually sniffing out the many dogs that come through the day and welcoming the owners that bring in their nervous pets.
Performing a cesarean on a goat
On the morning of 5 February, the teams’ day started abruptly when they had to perform an emergency cesarean on a goat. The owner of the goat had asked the clinic veterinarians for their assistance after he had tried to aid in the delivery of the goat’s baby but interrupted the labor. While still in the birth canal, the kid's leg was forcefully pulled off by the owner. Dr. Palitha Rohana Yapa from Sri Lanka’s Pet V Care, along with Dr. Sudiati and Rai Arniasih from Yudisthira Animal Welfare International, were able to successfully remove the already dead kid, and recover the mother goat. The owner had only good intentions when aiding the mother goat in her labor, but this tragic event once again reinforces the need for basic animal welfare education.
During Dr. Eric Davis’s time working in the HSI’s field clinic he was able to extend his services outside of canine welfare. At the request of the local livestock manager, he and Sherry Grant assessed the welfare of the cattle. He was also asked by a medical NGO for assistance to amputate an aid workers baby toe that had been severed. Although HSI’s Field Clinic has yellow signs reading "Animal Field Clinic" scattered all over, everyday there are human visitors who’s minor scraps and wounds are treated. HSI’s Field Clinic in Arugam Bay makes no distinction of who or what needs treatment. It is a place to treat the needy, both humans and animals alike.
Lloyd Brown, a technical assistant from RAV has brought DVD’s and has scheduled a night for cartoons and popcorn. The community is anxiously awaiting the big screen event at the Tri Star Hotel where the field team has set up residency and its MASH operations.
Piper Grant with two kids in the local refugee camp.
Piper Grant, a volunteer with the group, has been labeled as having a ’following’ – truly the Pied Piper. She has taken many of the tsunami victim children under her wing. When she has a free moment from her vet tech duties in the Field Clinic she takes time everyday to play with them, visit their homes, passing out puppets funded by WSPA, and offer any candy and food she has available. In particular she has taken under her wing two little boys. Zajith, a 10year old boy, who’s once beach side house was wiped out along with a 9 year old deaf boy. They have become regulars to the clinic and Zajith has become quite the little photographer using Grant’s camera. Grant has bought them much needed school supplies, clothing and “extra little treats to put a smile on their face”, she says. “Everyday I see the same children coming from their refugee camp. They come to the clinic and stand outside the barbed wire fence to just observe and have a change of pace”. Her feeling is why not become friends, educate them a bit and provide anything she can give. Pens and paper are one of the cherished items she has passed out. Also, a big hit are the pictures of their fun photo sessions that she prints from her computer printer. “They have all told me their stories and taken me around to see where their houses once stood. I just listen and make sure to take that extra five minutes out everyday for them. That is all they need”, Grant explains.
The Field Clinic in Sri Lanka runs not only on volunteers and medicine, but also on compassion, an international language.
- Piper Grant
t
|
|
|
|
|
|
