Mike O’LearyMemorial TrustThe Mike O’Leary Memorial Trust was well andtruly launched on August 21 in Chairciveen. Amemorial mass was followed by a celebrityGaelic Football match with a UCD team playingthe local team, St. Mary’s, Cahirciveen.

The local team featured a centerfield pairing ofJack O’Shea and Maurice Fitzgerald. The visitorshad many inter-county players, and theveterinarians were represented by Andy Healyand Peadar O Scanaill. Sean McGovern was alsoavailable for duty.

Padraig Nolan displayed typical Kildarecomposure and accuracy when opening thescoring for UCD. Points were exchanged beforethe home side were awarded a penalty. JackO’Shea stepped up and imitated David Beckhamwith goalkeeper Tom Ashe taking full credit fordistracting him.

Veterinary Ireland President Peadar O Scanaillraised the green flag by somehow getting on aTony MacMahon cross. His celebrations weremuted by a subsequent yellow card from thereferee, who obviously never forgave the Dubsfor deeds of old.

Jack O’Shea and Maurice Fitzgerald exchangedpasses in the move of the match, whichculminated in Jack crashing the ball to the roofof the net. The game ended in a hard-foughtdraw. As Frank O’Leary said: “a game like thatdemands a reply”.

Next day, many old warriors vowed ‘never again’thought their cries will be ignored. Whether thereplay is on the pitch or the golf course is still tobe decided, but volunteers will be sought. Theday raised in excess of €10,000. All proceeds willgo toward cardiomyopathy research, GOAL andVIVA.

For more information on the Trust or if you wishto make a contribution please contact: DonaldCollins 087 9373402; Willie Dunne 087 6810246;or Valerie Hyde 086 8525452

GOOD MORNINGVIETNAM!

Join VIVA’s Vietnam Cycle Challenge in November

VIVA is delighted to announce a major fundraising event for2005 - a Cycle Challenge in one of Asia’s most uniquelocations. The adventure begins in Hanoi and then moves tothe north west region, an area of spectacular mountainscenery which is populated by the ethnic hill tribes that makeup 10% of Vietnam’s population. The ride will take in someof the most stunning scenery Vietnam has to offer, visit sitesof historical significance as well as giving participants achance to meet rural Vietnamese living a way of life that hashardly changed for centuries.

The date for this unique event is November 14th to 24th2005. Anyone interested in taking part should contact MikeBurke on 086 – 2568357 or at vivaaid@eircom.net.

How to Help in 2005

• Is there a local community group near you that wouldshow the VIVA video to learn more about what we do?

• Do you work in a company which assigns money to charity?

• Can we send an information pack to the Directors?

• Donations to VIVA now qualify for tax relief- our charityref. no. CHY 13510.

• Have you an idea for a fundraiser?

Just send us an e-mail and we will be delighted to follow upand support any ideas you have. To continue our valuablework we need your support.

Website & Video

Remember we have copies of the VIVA promotional videoavailable for anyone or any organisation wishing to show itas both as a fundraising and education tool.

VOLUNTEERS IN IRISH VETERINARY ASSISTANCE13 Abbeycartron, Longford • Tel: (043) 47869, 47849.

• Fax: (043) 47849

CONTACT:

SEAN O’LAOIDE • (087) 9178345BRENDAN MIMNAGH • (086) 8509697

MIKE BURKE • (086) 2568357for further information.

Email: vivaaid@eircom.net • Website: www.vivaaid.ie

CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE SENT TO ....

Volunteers in IrishVeterinary Assistance

AA VVEERRYY SSPPEECCIIAALL TTHHAANNKKSSTTOO AALLLL WWHHOO TTRRAAVVEELLLLEEDDAANNDD PPLLAAYYEEDD OONN TTHHEE DDAAYY..

The supply of Artificial Inseminationstraws and equipment and personnelhave been invaluable to ourdevelopment work overseas, Ourprofound gratitude must go toDermot Cahill, Dovea AI station,Thurles, Co.Tipperary and RoryDicker,Eurogene AI services, Cahir CoTipperary for their support. Also aspecial word of thanks to NedNolan and Dick Dalton , HermitagePigs and Genetics, Kilkenny for theirhelp.

IIRRIISSHH PPIIGG IINNDDUUSSTTRRYY LLEENNDDSSSSUUPPPPOORRTT TTOO VVIIVVAA

As a result of our involvement in theMalawi Pig Project, VIVA undertooka major fundraising drive in Apriltargeted at the Irish pig industry.This culminated in a presentation byVIVA at the Pig Health Society’sannual conference in April, whichtook place at the Montague Hotel inEmo, Co. Laois.

Over €6000. was raised as a result ofdonations from various companiesassociated with the pig industry, pigfarmers and delegates attending theconference. We would also like toacknowledge a donation of €2000

from Maurice O’Reilly,Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan and €500from the Pig Health Society.

SSPPEECCIIAALL TTHHAANNKKSS

To Liam Mc Eldowney, recentlyretired SSVI Department ofAgriculture who made a generousdonation to VIVA at his retirementparty in the Silver Tassie Hotel,Letterkenny,Co Donegal on Oct.1stlast.

Also John P. Higgins, Longford DVO.Who donated his richly deservedmerit award to VIVA’s Nepal trainingprogramme.

SSOOMMEE OOFF TTHHEE PPEEOOPPLLEE WWHHOOBBRROOUUGGHHTT NNEEWW LLIIFFEE TTOO

FFAARRMMSS AARROOUUNNDD TTHHEE WWOORRLLDDTTHHIISS YYEEAARR

Dick Dalton , training in Kosovo. Mike Burke, Pig Specialist at the VIVA stand in Emo,Portlaoise.

VV.I.V.I.V.A. NEWS.A. NEWSVolunteers in Irish Veterinary Assistance

13 Abbeycartron, Longford • Tel: (043) 47869, 47849 • Fax: (043) 47849 • Mobile: (086) 8509697 • Email: vivaaid@eircom.net • Website: www.vivaaid.ie

Bringing New Life to people and their animals December 2004

MESSAGE FROM THECHAIRMAN There is something really satisfyingabout Carrying the torch forwardsFr. Michael Maher our deceasedfounding chairman lit a torch ofenthusiasm for us during the formativeyears of VIVA. As a pastor andveterinarian he had served for manyyears in the third world helping those inneed. He was acutely aware of thecontribution the Irish Veterinaryprofession could make to thedeveloping world by sharing andcommunicating the knowledge andskills that has been developed servingthe farming industry for many years inIreland. VIVA has had a positive growthin the level of support and activitiesover the past five years. It is nowrecognised abroad as a first classtraining organisation and is making areal difference to the economic andsocial development of the communitieswith which it has served. VIVA memberswho have served in the Balkans, Africaand Asia have also been touched andenriched by the kindness and eagernessto learn new skills of the recipients ofIrish animals in the many countries.

The future of VIVA is very muchdependant on the continuinggenerosity of the veterinary professionin Ireland and that of our verygenerous sponsors and friends. Therural communities and the smallfarmers in places such as Malawi andKosovo eagerly await the next trainingmodules from VIVA volunteers so thatthey can continue to improve theproductivity from their livestock andreduce mortality rates . They know thatsmall incremental improvements canhave an exponential impact on theeconomic wellbeing of theircommunities.

I have been honoured with thedaunting task of carrying the torchwhich was ignited by Fr Michael. I knowthat I and the VIVA board can only besuccessful with your continuing supportand encouragement. We look forwardto working with you over the comingyear and hope that we will successfullybuild on the solid platform which hasbeen established.

Seán O' Laoide .

This year VIVA expanded its portfolio oftraining courses with the introductionof a Basic Pig Husbandry course. Aswith other courses provided by VIVAthe course was run in Malawi andKosovo (see report overleaf) incollaboration with other developmentagencies working in the field oflivestock aid. These projects provideexcellent examples of howdevelopment agencies in conjunctionwith local partners can work veryeffectively together. In Malawi, VIVAhas worked with Bóthar and a localagency called the SSLPP for a numberof years. SSLPP (Small Scale LivestockPromotion Programme) organise thedistribution of shipments of livestockfrom Bothar and other internationalagencies and employ several extensionworkers who train the recipients andprovide ongoing support.

Approximately 200 pigs, which hadbeen sourced from Hermitage Pigs (NedNolan) in Kilkenny, were shipped out toMalawi in December 2003. This initialshipment of pigs was distributed mainly

to people who already had pigs andhad some experience in rearing them.These initial recipients (along withSSLPP’s extension workers) were thetarget of VIVA’s training. It is impossibleto provide training to everyone but bytraining key people who can go on totrain others it is possible to spread thebenefits of training very widely.

The course was run over 4 days using acombination of lectures, discussion andfarm visits. The farm visits, especially,provided ample evidence of how smallhusbandry changes can have hugeimpacts on the profitability of alivestock enterprise.

These pigs have the potential to lift arural family out of poverty. A farmerselling 20 weaners annually would havea profit of approximately €300. To putthis context, a teacher in Malawi wouldearn in the region of €600 a year. As inall these livestock projects therecipients have to donate a pig to theirneighbour so the benefits are spreadthrough the whole community.

Malawi – trainingfor profit

Pig health training in Malawi

This buffalo will fund Shiva and Pratima’seducation.

Nepal is a small country wedged betweenChina and India with a population of 26million living in an area less than twicethe size of Ireland. In length and breadthit is nothing exceptional, but in height itis a world-beater as it contains theworld’s tallest mountains, Everest andAnnapurna.

Nepal is one of the poorest and leastdeveloped countries in the world withalmost 50% of its population livingbelow the poverty line. Agriculture is themainstay of the economy, providing alivelihood for over 80% of thepopulation and accounting for 40% ofGDP. Industrial activity mainly involvesthe processing of agricultural produce.Pressure by Maoist rebels who want tooverthrow the monarchy and theSeptember 11, 2001 terrorist attacks inthe US have led to a decrease in tourism,another key source of foreignexchange.Economic prospects at presentlook poor and agriculture is nowacquiring a new importance.

VIVA has teamed up with a local NGO -AHTCS (Animal Health Training andConsultancy Service) - whose mission is to

improve the living standards of ruralcommunities through effective animalhealth and husbandry services.

Two project areas have been chosen -Itahari Municipality near Biratnagar inEastern Nepal and Lamachaur in thecentral hill eco-zone of Western Nepal. Inthese areas families are very poor andstruggle every day to provide two mealsfor their dependants. In Itahari district,they may own a half to one acre or arelandless and depend on tilling a smallpiece of land for a landlord. Farminghere is carried out by women who keep abuffalo to provide milk for the familywith the excess milk being sold to thelocal dairy co-operative.

The Kaski Goat Raising Project inLamachaur is promoted by a local NGOnamed CHESS - Child Health &Environment Save Society Nepal. Themain source of income in this region isseasonal farm labour as most of thesepeople are landless. There is abundantgrass and forage available which farmersare allowed by the local administrationto collect making it an ideal location fora goat project.

The four partners in this project AHTCS,VIVA, Heifer International Nepal andBóthar can make a real difference to thelives of these poor smallholders- we needyour help too!

Cattle are a poor farmer’s tractor in Nepal

RReeaacchhiinngg nneewwhheeiigghhttss iinn NNeeppaall

COMING UP IN2005.......This new year will see thelaunch of VIVA’s trainingmanual for village animalhealth workers. This wellresearched manual hasbeen developed to benefitrural people in many areasof the world that aredependent on livestock fortheir survival.

It is difficult for people inIreland and in thedeveloped world toappreciate that in manyareas of the globe there areno Vet’s and no access to ananimal health service eitherpreventative or curative.The real challenge for VIVAis to make an effectiveanimal health serviceavailable to all farmers. Thismanual coupled withpractical training of villageanimal health workers is avital step in that direction.

It deals with a wide rangeof topics that affectsanimals health. There arearticles on the diagnosis,prevention and control ofdisease commonly found inanimals. The book alsocovers nutrition, animalwelfare best practice,assisting births, dealingwith emergencies andsimple operations. The aimis to help people help theiranimals and at the sametime know when to seekthe assistance from moreexperienced healthworkers.

Healthy animals meanshealthy food, a safeenvironment and healthypeople. Many thanks toPfizer Ireland Ltd for theirfinancial support with thismanual. We appeal formore Sponsors. If you areinterested in becominginvolved in this uniquetraining experience pleasecontact VIVA personnel fordetails.

KOSOVO WELCOMESNEW GRADUATE

Alban Gerguri from Istog, Kosovo is one of the firstthree students to have graduated from the VeterinaryFaculty (established in 1996) in the University ofAgriculture in Prishtina, Kosovo. Alban started his studies in 1998 and graduated lastyear, being one of the first to have graduated sincethe war. Due to a lack of lecturers in the new Faculty,Alban had to travel to the University of Tirana inneighbouring Albania for many of his lectures. All inall, an excellent pupil who graduated with top grades.

After graduating, Alban began his professionalpractice in the local veterinary station in Lipjan wherehe stayed for six months. As is the lot of newgraduates he is now looking for a permanent job. Hisdream is to have his own private clinic and to continuehis post diploma studies in another country.

Bóthar and VIVA have beeninvolved in Kosovo for a number ofyears working with their localpartner, Heifer Albania (a division ofthe large American livestock aidagency, Heifer International). Earlierthis year the first shipment of pigs(sourced from Hermitage Pigs inKilkenny) was sent to Kosovo andVIVA organised a Basic PigHusbandry course for August. DickDalton from Hermitage Pigsaccompanied the Trainers to provide

some practical training in pig A.I.for the participants.

As in Malawi, the farm visits helpedto illustrate the many practicalproblems experienced by farmers(no matter where they farm!) andhow training and advice can helpsolve these issues. For example onour first farm visit, a very frustratedwoman complained of not beingable to get her two gilts served bythe village boar. As soon as she

noticed that the gilts were on heat

the boar was sent for but the gilts

never allowed the boar to serve

them. The cost of feeding the gilts

for this period without any prospect

of a return was causing this lady a

lot of grief. She was advised to

introduce the boar to the gilts a few

days before the gilts were due to

come on heat to allow them to

become accustomed to him. This

would greatly increase the chances

of a successful mating. In addition,

this would eliminate the possibility

that the boar was being introduced

too late when the gilts were no

longer on heat. A simple no-cost

solution but one that could make

the difference between success and

failure in this lady’s venture into pig

farming. VIVA’s role is to ensure that

smallholders like this lady maximise

the returns from their livestock.

< Participants at the VIVA Pig health

and Husbandry training course in

Gjackove, Kosovo.

KOSOVO

Alban Gerguri receives his Pig Health Trainingcertificate from Brendan Mimnagh VIVA.

THE VOLUNTEERS THAT MAKETHE WHEELS TURNGolfing for VIVAA huge thanks again to the team from theDepartment of Agriculture in Longford whichorganised the VIVA Golf Classic in Athlone inMay 2004.The competition was a resoundingsuccess. The event organiser again was theformer Roscommon and GAA All-star TonyMcManus, The fantastic sum of €5000 wasraised when 100 golfers trailed the course andlater spent a most enjoyable evening in theclubhouse in Athlone. The kindness of localbusiness people who donated prizes as well asthe persistence of our supporters in puttingtogether an extremely well organised event wasreally impressive.

VIVA winners show their ClassThe second annual VIVA classic was a keenlyfought and exciting competition. On the dayunder tremendous pressure the ladies ofRoscommon with a display of sheer class, skilland not wanting of beauty and elegance stolethe day.

The winning team:- Marie McManus, Mary Jo.O’Riordan, Joan O’Gara, Paula Miley.

Of course this just sets the standard high forthe 2005 VIVA Golf Classic that will take placeat Roscommon Golf Club on Friday May 20th2005 which has already started receivingsubscriptions. Anyone wishing to get involvedor thinking of organising a similar event in theirlocal club should contact Tony or Valarie at 043-45932 or vivaaid@eircom.net.

Riding high in CavanCavan Macra na Feirme led by the energetic RayBrady had a novel fundraiser for VIVA at thewell known Virginia show held on August 25th2004.The quad-bike balancing act was a greatattraction and raised valuable funds for VIVA’sanimal health training programme in Nepal.

Quad bike riding for VIVA. (below)

Mick was born in Castlemoyle,Cashel, Co. Tipperary. He attendedRockwell College for his secondaryschool studies and then studiedVeterinary Science in UniversityCollege Dublin and in the RoyalCollege of Veterinary Surgeons. Hewas awarded the M.R.C.V.S. and theM.V.B. and practised as a veterinarysurgeon for two years. He enteredthe Novitiate in Kilshane in 1953and studied philosophy andtheology in Kimmage Manor beforebeing ordained on July 13, 1958.

Fr. Mick’s first appointment was toNigeria where he worked in Port Harcourt’s busy St. Mary’s Parish.One year later he was principal of Sebastian Academy, a secondaryschool at Emekuku. He remained in this post for eight years untilthe war in Biafra brought him back to Ireland. He was appointedto the United States and worked in pastoral ministry in the LosAngeles area.

For five years then Fr. Mick worked in Botswana where he was ableto combine parish work with some veterinary work. Again from1978 until 1993 he undertook similar work at Tshaneni and Manziniin Swaziland. In 1994 the confrères from Mauritius, Malawi andNigeria elected Fr. Mick as their delegate to the Irish ProvincialChapter and the following year he joined the Spiritan Communityin South Africa and was appointed to the district of Bethlehem.

In 1997 Fr. Mick retired to Kimmage Mission House andsubsequently Shanahan House. He had an active retirement,working in ministry from time to time in England and doing theodd veterinary locum.

I had known the Maher family for many years through myassociation with his brother T J.Maher former leader of NFA/IFA,MEP and founder and Chairman of Bothar.

The commitment of both Fr. Michael and TJ to family farmingissues here and in the Developing World was legendary. Theyappreciated the impact that optimum animal health andproduction could have on the profitability of small family farmswhere margins were tight.

In retirement, Fr Michael was constantly amazed by the affluencein Ireland. “If only a small amount of this wealth could filter backto the poor subsistence farmers of Africa” he said. “Surely we coulddo this”, he exclaimed! - this was the start of VIVA.His experience in Africa as a missionary and a veterinarian wasinvaluable to VIVA’s mission. For this we will be eternally begrateful. Thanks Mick.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Fr Michael PatrickMaher, MVB,MRCVS, CSSp.June 2, 1926 – July 8, 2004