Project
report One Health Usambara – Rabies 2025
One Health Usambara is a charity project working to improve human health through improving animal health and welfare. One of its most important missions is preventing the spread of rabies, a deadly but preventable disease, through large-scale dog vaccinations.
Rabies-infected animals cross from Makomasi National
Park into the Western Usambara region, where local dogs can become infected.
Because many of these dogs are cared for by children, they are at a higher risk
than adults.
This year, our dedicated team vaccinated an incredible 1,806 dogs; 600 more than last year! Thanks to this effort, the “protective ring” of vaccinated dogs now stretches past the original hub of eight villages around Mambo, down the mountain ridges and out across the plains to Mnazi. As well as keeping people safe, the project teaches families how to care for and train their dogs, strengthening the bond between them.
The project is supported by Linda and
Owen Glenn, veterinary surgeons from Northern Ireland, and
organised locally by Juma Tupa, Chairman of
Usambara Green Nourishers NGO and Headmaster of Sunga Secondary School,
together with Marion and Herman from MamboSteunPunt.
Over the years, seven local vets and seven auxiliary officers have been trained
to safely handle, health-check and vaccinate dogs. They work to a very high
standard and are trusted in the local communities. This not only ensures
top-quality care but also creates local employment, making the program more
sustainable.
Linda and Owen have funded the project since the beginning. But to help it grow further, reaching more villages and protecting more families and dogs, additional sponsorship is needed and greatly appreciated.
If you’re visiting the Usambaras, you may even come
across our teams at work in the villages.
