Year: 2025
Grant: £5,000
Morris Darbo
Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society (LAWCS)
Currently, Liberia lacks a veterinary school and has very limited infrastructure and educational resources focused on animal welfare. Most animal science graduates complete their studies without formal exposure to fundamental animal welfare principles, leaving them unprepared to address the physical and psychological needs of animals under their care. Likewise, lecturers often lack the training, teaching materials, and practical tools to deliver animal welfare content effectively.
This project aims to strengthen animal welfare education and institutional capacity in Liberia by integrating a comprehensive animal welfare course into the animal science curricula of the University of Liberia and Bong Technical College, while building the capacity of 14 animal science lecturers through targeted training and practical support.
The project will include a comprehensive curriculum review in collaboration with academic leaders to ensure the animal welfare course aligns with national standards and is appropriately integrated into the existing academic framework. The new curriculum will cover essential topics such as animal care and handling, welfare assessment, clinical diagnosis, pain and wound management, and ethical considerations. The training will not only provide foundational knowledge but also equip lecturers with participatory teaching methods and access to training manuals and resources. The project will provide basic veterinary tools and supplies to each university, supporting hands-on learning and ensuring students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. These tools will form the foundation for small-scale animal welfare demonstration units, enabling real-life scenarios for observation, diagnosis, and ethical decision-making.
By embedding animal welfare into the formal education system, this project will produce a ripple effect of long-term benefits. Students graduating with this knowledge will be better equipped to work as veterinary technicians, agricultural extension officers, animal health workers, and advocates for humane treatment. They will contribute to reduced animal suffering, improved animal welfare, better public health through disease prevention, and a greater culture of empathy and compassion across Liberia.