Volunteer spotlight: Vet Neringa’s experience on a Mission Rabies vaccination drive

Thinking of volunteering with Mission Rabies and want to hear more about what to expect? We spoke to Lithuanian vet, Neringa Grabaziute, who kindly volunteered with us at the 2024 Uganda mass vaccination project. Our vaccination teams worked within Kabale, Rukiga and Rubanda Districts in the South Western region of Uganda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Kabale District Veterinary Office, to vaccinate over 2,800 dogs against rabies.

Keep reading to hear all about Neringa’s experience.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and why you chose to volunteer with us?

As a veterinarian from Lithuania, I’ve always been deeply passionate about animals. Back during my studies, I was inspired by the “Vet Adventures” show, led by Dr. Luke Gamble, who I later found out was the founder of Mission Rabies. After joining MSD Animal Health in the Gulf & Levant region over 6 years ago, I was pleased to discover our involvement with Mission Rabies through the AFYA program and donations of Nobivac Rabies vaccine, working towards zero human rabies cases by 2030. As part of my role in Dubai working with vet practices and distributors across over eight markets from Oman to Iraq, I often share Mission Rabies success stories with the vets, emphasizing on the importance of vaccination, especially where rabies is a pressing issue. I’d heard so many positive stories from colleagues, so volunteering with Mission Rabies was always on my mind. Uganda, with its rural vaccination sites, was especially appealing to me as it would be a hands-on way to contribute, gain new insights, and support communities in need.

Please could you tell us a bit about your typical day on this vaccination drive?

Each day followed a routine but still felt new and exciting. Our mornings in Kabale started early, and each team, named after local animals, set out to different static vaccination points. My team, “Kobs,” was made up of two other local volunteers and a driver, who would take us to different static points each day. Every morning, we would pick up our vaccination kits and receive a briefing on the previous day’s vaccination and our target for the day. Our days included setting up the vaccination area, alerting the community with a loudspeaker, and rotating through various tasks—preparing vaccine doses, showing owners how to safely hold their dog, administering vaccines, marking vaccinated dogs, providing owners with vaccination cards and collecting data in the WVS App. By evening, we’d return, report our numbers to Mission Rabies, and share stories over dinner with fellow volunteers. It was truly fulfilling, and we even had some time over the weekend to explore a nearby lake and connect with the culture.

What would you say was the highlight of your time volunteering?

It’s hard to pick one highlight—every day was packed with meaningful experiences. I gained a new perspective on mass vaccination logistics, on life in Uganda’s rural areas and people’s behaviour with their pets. The strong sense of community there was especially touching. Villagers would gather around our vaccination points, not only with dogs but sometimes we would be passed by farm animals, kids in school uniforms, and curious onlookers. It felt like we became part of the community; they were quick to spread the word about our work to their neighbours. Witnessing them coming together as a family and their caring of each other, reminded me of what really matters in life. There were challenging moments, like rough roads and occasional car breakdowns, but locals would be quick to lend a hand. These moments reinforced my admiration for everyone involved.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking of volunteering with Mission Rabies?

Just do it; you won’t regret it. Don’t let assumptions or worries hold you back—I had my own before going, but they quickly disappeared. The volunteer guide provided is excellent, and being present during training makes all the difference. Talking to past volunteers can give you helpful insights, and once you’re there, just soak up the experience. Take lots of photos or even keep a journal—it goes by so fast, and you’ll want to remember every detail.

If you had to sum up your volunteering experience in just three words, what would they be?

Adventurous, fulfilling, and enlightening.

How has this experience changed your awareness/knowledge of rabies?

While I already had a solid understanding of rabies, this experience took it to a new level. I learned about the unique challenges of preventing rabies in remote regions and saw firsthand the importance of data collection, tracking, and community education. It also taught me a lot about vaccine storage and handling in tough conditions.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I’m incredibly grateful to Mission Rabies for creating such impactful programs and allowing us to be a part of them. It was a life-changing experience, and I’d encourage anyone with a passion for animal welfare to get involved.

Want to volunteer as part of a life-saving mission?

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