The recipients of veterinary training scholarships provided by Spirit of America in response to local needs identified by a U.S. Army Civil Affairs Team in Niger recently completed their training at the national veterinary school in the city of Maradi. We first told you about this project here and here.

These scholarships were provided as part of a project designed to prevent local causes of instability from leading to conflict in Niger’s northwest. This opportunity to attend the national veterinary school, gave local youths the skills they needed to take care of their tribes’ cattle, camels, and goats – the backbone of the traditional way of life. The region is plagued by a shortage of skilled veterinary care and local youths lack opportunities to acquire marketable skills that are of value to their communities.

The students will now return to their tribes, in remote and underserved areas of the country, where they will be able to provide much needed veterinary services. These services will improve local food security and livestock health. The graduates will also serve as an example of opportunity and hope in a relatively economically isolated area of the country.

Thank you for your patronage. Your generosity enables Spirit of America to support initiatives like this one to foster more stable and resilient communities and counter violent extremist organizations throughout the region and across the globe.