VIVA HQ

The Westport "Bike 'n Hike"

2011-10-28T16:47:00.009+01:00

(The cyclists in the Doolough Valley - Photo courtesy of Peter Kelly)

The Westport "Bike 'n Hike" event was a great success raising over € 25,000 for our overseas projects. A full report can be read here or in the viewer below.

The Westport "Bike 'n Hike" -

"Heifer Draw" result

2011-10-01T08:49:00.006+01:00

"Altamira Elaine", the VIVA heifer is going to Galway. The winner of the raffle drawn yesterday is Tommy Casserly, Pollaturick, Milltown, Tuam, Co Galway. When contacted, Tommy said he'd never won anything in his life and was delighted with his good fortune.

The raffle was a huge success with over 3000 tickets sold, raising € 15,000 for VIVA. VIVA would like to thank Brendan & Joan O'Connor for their very generous donation of the Limousin heifer - "Altamira Elaine". We hope she enjoys her new home.

Inner Wheel adopts VIVA

2011-09-27T15:11:00.003+01:00

Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation which promotes friendship, personal service and international understanding amongst its members. The newly appointed Chairman of District 16 (which comprises 23 clubs across the island of Ireland), Sylvia Tennant, has chosen VIVA as her charity for the year.

On September 3rd, Mike Burke of VIVA gave a presentation to Inner Wheel's annual assembly in Dun Laoghaire on VIVA's overseas projects. Over the next year, Inner Wheel clubs across Ireland will be fundraising for VIVA.

Altamira Elaine - the VIVA Heifer

2011-06-21T00:02:00.003+01:00

Here she is at last - "Altamira Elaine" - the pedigree Limousin heifer that will go to the winner of the VIVA Heifer Draw 2011. Born on June 25th 2009, Altamira Elaine (Sire - "Epson") has been kindly donated by Brendan & Joan O'Connor from Liscarroll, Co. Cork. She will be put in calf this summer and come September 30th she will be going to the lucky winner of our fundraising draw. You can buy a ticket by contacting Mike Burke on 086 - 2568357 or why not buy one online here.

Vet Students tackle Cooley for VIVA

2011-05-10T17:44:00.006+01:00

Áine Collins reports:

"On April 21st, ten veterinary students from UCD took part in the Cooley Legends Half Marathon/10k race in Co. Louth. With months of training done, all were very excited to get our running shoes on and begin the 60% off-road run across the Cooley Peninsula. It took some time for the sun to come out that morning but when it finally did the eagerness of the participants to get going was easily seen. It was a tough climb over the mountain but the final decent into Carlingford town with supporters lining the street encouraging the runners to keep going made it worthwhile. After a few well earned refreshments and much chat about the race the event was over before we knew it. It was a brilliant day and the craic in Carlingford afterwards was great, all in aid of a very worthy charity".

The participants were as follows: Pat O Neill, Regina Long, Lisa Buckley, Corina Versteegh, Áine Collins, Shona Coombes, Brendan O Huiginn, Amy Brogen, Claire Ashburner, Mirium de Feu.

VIVA & "Vet 250"

2011-02-18T11:28:00.012Z

2011 marks the 250th anniversary of the veterinary profession and commemorates the opening of the first veterinary college in Lyons, France in 1761. Veterinary Ireland and the Veterinary Council have launched a number of events to mark the occasion.
One of Veterinary Ireland's initiatives for this auspicious year is to throw its weight behind a major fundraising drive by VIVA.

Our flagship fundraiser, the annual VIVA Wheelers 100 km cycle challenge takes place in Westport this year. Veterinary Ireland hopes to mobilise over 250 vets to take part as an expression of solidarity between the veterinary profession in Ireland and livestock farmers in the Developing World. This event will raise much needed funds for our overseas projects.

The VIVA Wheelers have raised over € 165,000 for VIVA's projects through their cycle challenges. Joining the VIVA Wheelers is a fantastic opportunity to get fit, explore some of our most scenic areas by bike and raise funds for a good cause. Our events are organised by a professional cycle tours company and the routes are selected to ensure that cyclists of all abilities can take part. Many of the cyclists return to our events year after year.

In conjunction with the Cycle Challenge, VIVA are organising a raffle with a grand prize of a pedigree Limousin Heifer. For those who can't accommodate the heifer in their back garden, the option of the value at sale of the heifer will be offered! To raise their sponsorship, participants on the Cycle Challenge can sell tickets for this raffle or indeed organise events of their own.

2011 is also the European Year of the Volunteer. We're now calling all vets with their slogan – " Volunteer – make a difference " – and we hope that the profession will respond in big numbers.

For further information on the VIVA Wheelers contact Mike Burke on 086 – 2568357 or mike@viva.ie. You can also follow us on Facebook.

Midland Showjumping

2010-11-02T12:25:00.007Z

L to R : Brian Gormley MVB, Ann Gannon, Brendan Mimnagh, Mary Gannon, Oliver Glancy

Midland Showjumping, who have been very loyal supporters of VIVA over the years have again donated the fees from their annual summer showjumping event to support our overseas livestock projects. At a recent function in Granard, organisers Brian Gormley and Oliver Glancy along with sponsors Ann Gannon and Mary Gannon presented Brendan Mimnagh of VIVA with a cheque for € 2,000.

Mike O'Leary Trust Travel Bursary 2010

2010-10-19T16:33:00.002+01:00

This August, Martin Breen, a third year vet student in UCD and this year's winner of the Mile O'Leary Trust Travel Bursary, travelled to Uganda to visit VIVA's animal traction project in the east of the country. His brief was to look at the impact of the project on theindividual farming families.

Martin has just now published his report on the trip which can be viewed here or in the viewer below. According to Martin, the most signifcant impacts of the project has been a reduction in the labour needed to cultivate the land, an increase in land tilled and increased yields from crops like cassava and maize. The extra income generated by the surpluses prduced is going to pay for education expenses or being re-invested on the farms.

VIVA would like to thank again the O'Leary family for their support for this valuable initiative.

Uganda 2010 report - Martin Breen

A Ugandan family prospers

2010-10-06T11:38:00.010+01:00

We recently received this report from Dan Bazira (Heifer Uganda) on a visit he made to one of the families involved in the VIVA-funded project in Kumi District which involves providing oxen and ploughs to the Koelei Amora Ican farmers group:

Traveling to Tilling Village in Kadok Zone, Kobwin Sub County, Kumi District in Eastern Uganda, one may think that the narrow paths are a clear indication that no people live in this area. It is a surprise to find that there are such people: the middle aged couple of Hellen Adek, 43, and Charles Opolot, 53, who have been married for 26 years and have 10 children (6 boys and 4 girls), all in school.

A smiling lady dressed casually welcomed her guests with a statement: " Each time I hear Heifer friends are visiting us, I am always delighted, along with my family members. Who ever knew that we would host visitors from within the district, across Uganda and those from outside this country? Heifer has made us who we are today " .

The story of this creative family began in 2006, when as a family they decided to join a community based farmers' group within the area. The group had come together to carry out communal digging rotationally with the aim of addressing the food insufficiency that families were facing. Hellen said, " This was actually more labor intensive than we thought, for we were still using our hand hoes to open up land maximally to a tune of one acre per family." The group, Koile Amora Ican Project, approached Heifer International Uganda, through their well-focused leadership, for any support to address their plight.

Through a partnership with VIVA Ireland, funding was secured to support this community with an Animal Traction Project. " Little did we know that families like one of Hellen and Charles Opolot would turn out to be a creative family with what seemed to be a meager support," said Dr. Joshua Zimbe, Regional Extension Services Supervisor.

A change of the family's history of misery, food insufficiency and a lack of education for the children of Opolot came to reality when they started being trained by the project extensionist. " With Heifer-tailored training, you start off learning before any live gift is given," said Charles Opolot. In 2008, the family, along with three other families, received a complete set of bulls and ox-ploughs to help them open up a larger acreage of land for agriculture.

Today, Opolot's family has not only looked to the gifts they received, they have also diversified to other livestock species like sheep, goats and poultry. Each family member fully participates in the complete management of the affairs of this project. Last season, the family harvested over a lump sum of 10 tons of maize, cassava, millet, groundnuts and sorghum from approximately seven acres of land, which were opened up using the oxen given. Incomes are now assured within the family, children are going to better schools and nutrition has greatly improved, according to Hellen Adek.

" To ensure that we have enough food for the family throughout the year, we have set up five local granaries to store our produce around our homestead " , Charles Opolot said. To the community this is a creativity that was not common within the area and now some of the families have adopted this technique of post-harvest handling.
" Heifer International and their partners, VIVA Ireland, have done us great in terms of addressing our genuine need; we are really appreciative of this support " , concluded Charles Opolot.

Supporters run, jump and cycle for VIVA

2010-09-28T10:47:00.011+01:00

Some VIVA Wheelers take a break on the Bantry 100

Aine Collins with her medals!

This summer, VIVA supporters have raised almost € 23,000 in various fundraisers. First up was Aine Collins, a vet student in UCD,who raised over € 700 running in four races earlier in the summer

Midland Showjumping have been very supportive of VIVA in the past and this year was no exception. They donated € 2000 from the proceeds of their summer showjumping event to VIVA

The annual VIVA Golf Classic was held in Glasson on August 6th. 40 teams battled it out for the top prize on this fantastic course raising over € 5,000 for VIVA's overseas projects. Thanks again to Tony McManus for his contribution to the success of this event.

The VIVA Wheelers annual 100km cycle challenge had a hard act to follow after the success of the inaugral event in the Burren last year. However, their luck held with the " Bantry 100 " cyclists basking in sunshine as they whizzed around the awesome scenery of the Sheep's Head and Mizen peninsulas. This latest cycle will raise almost € 15,000 to add to the € 150,000 already raised by the Wheelers since 2005

Silage-making training in Uganda

2010-06-12T10:29:00.003+01:00

With the silage-making season upon us here in Ireland, we thought we'd look at how they do it in Uganda where the farmers on VIVA's animal traction project make silage to feed their oxen in the dry season. The grass is chopped using machetes, mixed with molasses and then sealed in sausage-like plastic bags. Hay bales are also made by stuffing the dried grasses into timber boxes to compress them before they are tied.

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VIVA's Paravets one year on

2010-06-10T12:01:00.006+01:00

In March 2009 the first batch of VIVA-trained paravets (trained under a joint programme between VIVA and our partner Heifer Tanzania)graduated in Arusha in Tanzania. One year on we wanted to see how those paravets are doing in their new career. Read Rogate Lukumayi's story here

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VIVA Wheelers heading to Bantry and New Zealand!

2010-02-16T12:32:00.007Z

The VIVA Wheelers, that band of enthusiastic cyclists that have raised almost € 150,000 for VIVA's projects have just announced two new upcoming fundraising cycles.

Their annual one-day cycle heads to Bantry on Saturday, September 11th this year. The route covering 100km around the Sheep's Head and Mizen peninsulas takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in west Cork.For the committed cyclist, there's a longer loop, which takes in Mizen Head, bringing the distance up to approx. 140km.

Are you hoping to go to the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011? Want to do something useful while you're there? Well, VIVA are planning a five day cycle challenge on the South Island between the Ireland v Italy match and the first round qualifier. The itinerary and costs are being finalised at present and should be available soon.

To register your interest in any of the above or for more information contact Mike Burke on mike@viva.ie or at 086 - 2568357

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2009 Mike O'Leary Trust Travel Bursary Report

2010-02-12T10:45:00.005Z

Last summer, UCD veterinary student Carmel Molloy, travelled to Uganda (as a recipient of the Mike O'Leary Trust Travel Bursary, to spend a month on VIVA's animal traction project in eastern Uganda. Her brief was to carry out a survey on animal health control strategies on behalf of our partner there, Heifer Uganda. The report provides an interesting overview of disease incidence in this area and outlines the many difficulties in the promotion and provision of disease control strategies such as vaccination and acaricidal use.

The full report can be read here.

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Kosovo AI project

2010-02-04T10:48:00.005Z

(Brendan O'Connor (R) presents an AI equipment kit to Mike Burke of VIVA)

Brendan O'Connor of Munster AI recently presented VIVA with an AI kit box for its project in Kosovo. In October of last year, Brendan travelled to Kosovo to provide refresher training to some local vets there who provide an AI service to Kosovar farmers involved in VIVA's project (you can read more here). The kit box, which Brendan designed himself, provides convenient, hygienic storage for all the inseminator's equipment and will be used by our partner, Heifer Kosovo, as a demonstration model.

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"Herriot of Helmand"

2010-01-19T16:28:00.008Z

One of the cornerstones of VIVA's mission is the provision of basic animal healthcare to small-holder farmers in the Developing World. An interesting illustration of the importance of this work is seen in the impact a British Army vet is having in Afghanistan. Dubbed the "Herriot of Helmand", Capt Miles Malone is an officer in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps looking after military dogs in Helmand Province. Once a month he operates a pioneering veterinary clinic where Afghan farmers can bring their livestock for a free check-up and a dose of preventative healthcare.

In this region goats, sheep, cows and donkeys are prized and valuable possessions, so much so that the womenfolk make colourful beaded necklaces to adorn the necks of livestock. According to Capt. Malone, "animal livestock forms the lifeblood of these local communities and by improving the health of the herd, we can in turn have a positive impact on the health, wealth and general well-being of the population". In addition, he points out that by improving animal health, the animal’s capacity to produce meat and milk is improved. Human health also improves as animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans e.g brucellosis, are eradicated.
In this region although livestock are prized possessions, there is, according to capt Malones's colleague, Sgt. Major Reeve, a widespread ignorance about basic animal husbandry. "Farmers here have absolutely no idea about animal husbandry. There is near total ignorance about causes and spread of disease, breeding cycles and how milk is produced. If a goat stops milking, it is said to be Allah's will rather than the fact that it has not bred for 18 months and therefore has no anatomical reason to produce milk."
As such, the natural health of herds is poor, with cattle usually underweight and riddled with worms, mites and other parasites. Capt Malone said the priority is firstly to de-worm and de-louse. By eradicating parasites, the animals are able to absorb more nutrients, and therefore become stronger and more resistant to disease. Once the animals have achieved a baseline of health, he then vaccinates, because the vaccinations are less effective on sick animals.

The full article can be read here and a video of the clinic viewed below

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Longford Animal Health Centre - Veterinary Practice Supporter of the year

2009-11-23T23:12:00.008Z

(L-R Mike Burke of VIVA, Anne Halligan & Brian Flynn of Longford Animal Health Centre)

Mike Burke recently made a presentation to Longford Animal Health Centre to acknowledge their fundraising efforts on behalf of VIVA this year. Three staff members (Cathy Hawthorne, Anne Halligan and Cynthia Geelan) took part in the Flora Women’s mini-marathon in June and in September Brian Flynn and Donagh McDonnell took to their bikes to complete the “Burren 100” cycle challenge. In total, the practice raised over € 1,500 for VIVA's overseas projects.

If your workplace would like to adopt VIVA as their charity for 2010 please contact Mike Burke on 086 – 2568357 or mike@viva.ie. We can arrange a presentation to your staff on our work and advise on fundraising.

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VIVA's 10th anniversary marked by "Irish Veterinary Journal"

2009-11-17T23:14:00.005Z

To mark VIVA's 10th anniversary, the "Irish Veterinary Journal" featured VIVA on the cover of its November issue and devoted four pages to a history of VIVA and an overview of its work.

To read the article click here

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Farming in Uganda

2009-11-04T12:38:00.013Z

In the UK, the Guardian and Observer newspapers are sponsoring a three-year development project in the sub-county of Katine in north-east Uganda, which is home to 25,000 people. The project is being implemented by two NGOs, AMREF (African Medical & Research Foundation) and Farm Africa. The Guardian's website (www.guardian.co.uk/katine) offers a fascinating insight into life in Katine and the project itself in addition to background articles on development issues. Of particular note are the videos which look at aspects of life in Katine.

One of these looks at the life of Paul Odongo, a farmer, who shows us around his 15 acre farm. This farm would be typical of the farms in the VIVA animal traction project in Koelie and it is interesting to note that he speaks of the importance of having bulls for ploughing.

Another video looks at the issue of distributing bulls to farmers for use in ploughing as an aid intervention. The main concern is that the bulls will be sold on by the recipients to generate some quick cash. However, it is important to note that on the VIVA project three factors make this highly unlikely. Firstly, prior to receiving oxen on our project the recipients must undertake a training course and build the necessary cattle-holding facilities to demonstrate their committment. Secondly, four families share a plough each family owning one oxen so there is a strong social pressure on each family to uphold their end of the bargain when ploughing time comes around. Lastly, each recipient family undertakes to provide another family in the community with the price of an ox within two years from the profits of the increased productivity on their farm. Again this militates against oxen being sold on.

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VIVA deliver AI training in Kosovo

2009-10-15T12:38:00.006+01:00

VIVA have been involved with their Kosovar partner, Heifer Kosovo, since 1999 after the war there ended. VIVA's first intervention was to organise the importation of winter feed for livestock as the harvest was interrupted by the war. Since then VIVA has delivered training programmes in dairy cow management and pig husbandry in conjunction with Bothar, the Irish NGO which has organised livestock shipments to Kosovo.

At present VIVA is involved in an Artificial Insemination (AI) programme in Kosovo. This involves the training of AI technicians, the supply of semen straws and equipment and the subsisisation of the service to farmers. A VIVA team has just returned from a trip to Kosovo where they delivered a refresher training course for AI technicians. The course was delivered by Cork vet, Denis Healy and Brendan O'Connor, an AI technician with Munster AI. Over two days, in Vermice, the team covered AI techniques and various aspects of dairy cow fertilty and management. Practical training was carried out a local slaughterhouse in the city of Prizren. In addition, a dairy farm was visited to discuss dairy cow nutrition and management.

The AI programme is an essential component of Heifer Kosovo's dairy projects as it is playing a significant role in increasing the productivity of these cows. In addition, it is a vital service in some areas where there may not be adequate availability of bulls.

VIVA would like to thank Munster AI for their co-operation in this initiative, in particular, Brendan O'Connnor for giving his time and expertise, Anthony Cronin for his help in the shipments of semen straws and Dr. Doreen Corridan.

To view the pictures individually click here

Midland Showjumping donate €4000 to VIVA

2009-10-07T09:53:00.009+01:00

Theresa Sheehy (Pat the Baker) and Brendan Mimnagh (VIVA) present the Pat the Baker Grand Final trophy to Harry Hughes

Mary Gannon, Brendan Mimnagh (VIVA), Mairead Higgins (Pat the Baker), Brian Gormley, Ann Gannon at presentation of cheque to VIVA in Granard

Following their recent summer shows, Midland Showjumping have donated all the entry fees from the four events to VIVA. At a recent function in Granard, Brian Gormley MRCVS, chairman of the Midland Showjumping Committee presented a cheque for € 4000 to VIVA's Brendan Mimnagh. VIVA would like to thank all the sponsors of the event as follows:

Oliver Glancy, Pat the Baker, Lady Georgina Forbes, Seamus Kane (Kane Motors), Ann Gannon, Mary Gannon, Olaf O'Neill (C & M Veterinary)

Pfizer support VIVA

2009-10-01T10:10:00.005+01:00

(Pfizer Marketing Manager, Roy Geary (R) presents a cheque to Mike Burke of VIVA)

As part of their ongoing support to charities in the area of agriculture and animal welfare, Pfizer recently donated € 1500 to support VIVA's overseas programmes. VIVA was selected by the company's staff as one of three organisations to receive support in 2009. This type of support is vital to ensure the expansion of VIVA's livestock projects abroad and is greatly appreciated by VIVA.

VIVA Golf Classic

2009-09-22T16:49:00.005+01:00

On August 7th, Tullamore Golf Club again hosted the annual VIVA Golf Classic. On one of this summer's few good days, over 30 teams competed for a host of prizes with Martin Bohan's team emerging victorious.

Since its inception in 2003, the event has built up a loyal following and has raised almost € 50,000 for VIVA's overseas projects.

VIVA would again like to thank Tony McManus for all his efforts in organising the Classic. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our main sponsors, Univet and C & M Vetlink.

(The winning team - L to R - Lar Lyons, John O'Connell, Martin Bohan, Pat Delahunty)

The Burren 100

2009-09-18T12:42:00.008+01:00

On Saturday last, the "VIVA Wheelers" headed for Clare for their latest cycle challenge, a 100km sprint through the Burren! Over 50 cyclists took part on what was one of the sunniest weekends of the year. Starting in Ballyvaughan, the route took the cyclists to Corofin, Ennisdymon, Lahinch, Doolin , the Cliffs of Moher and finally, a spectacularly scenic finish along the coastal route to Ballyvaughan. A dinner in the Hylands Burren Hotel capped what was a perfect day.

The event will raise over € 16,000 for VIVA's livestock projects overseas and due to its success it is hoped to make this an annual event moving around Ireland each year to a different venue. This will compliment our overseas cycle challenges.

VIVA would like to thank our sponsors, Sioda Interiors (Dundalk) and Paddy O'Donoghue of Veterinary Instruments Ltd, (Ballyvaughan). We'd also like to thank the members of the Burren Cycling Club who accompanied us on the route. The event was organised by Irish Cycling Safaris.

To register your interest for future VIVA Wheelers events contact mike@viva.ie

These photos may also be viewed on our online album

Ciaran Gobl Leaves Nepal

2009-08-25T17:03:00.011+01:00

(Ciaran with Billy, a Boer cross buck)

This month, Longford vet Ciaran Gobl, our representative in Nepal, finished his one year placement. Building on the work of his predecessor, Susan Griffin, Ciaran has been instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of our project there in conjunction with our partner, AHTCS. VIVA would like to wish Ciaran the best of luck with his travels and below we reprint the farewell post from his blog (http://www.vivanepal.blogspot.com/).

"Nepal in a nutshell"

Over the past year I have had the extraordinary opportunity to live and work in Nepal as VIVA’s representative. I have gained some valuable experience in livestock programmes in a developing country, from managing an NGO to working with some very talented people, all of whom carry the torch for Nepal’s future. I have also had the chance to share my experiences with some very enthusiastic farmers and veterinary technicians alike. However, I still feel that I have gained more from my time here that I was ever able to give.

It is hard to imagine that I have been living in one of the poorest countries in the world. The generosity of the people in Nepal would put many of us at home to shame and with the soaring Himalayas as a backdrop, it most surely is one of the richest countries for natural beauty. But when you spend a period of time off the beaten track, you begin to understand how difficult it is to eek out a living on a small plot of land in a country that’s 60% mountainous and very densely populated.

Poor governance and corruption are replacing the Maoist insurgency as the single biggest factor holding this country back from development. And at a time when this tiny nation should be jumping on the back of the Indian and Chinese economic bandwagon, it is struggling to settle petty internal squabbles. With all these pseudo issues, it is the people who have been forgotten, especially the 2.2 million people who are suffering from hunger at this moment. It is when you meet the man in the field that you see where our resources must go.

Our programmes are aimed at improving agriculture through technical expertise and women empowerment. Livestock are at the heart of our projects because of their importance in providing food security, animal traction and socio-economic status. I have seen the differences we can make and will do my utmost to show everyone I meet what an impact we can have.
I am regretfully leaving Nepal, but I will take such fond memories that there will always be a part of me left here. I hope to return someday soon to help develop future projects and to evaluate the ones we have in place. I also hope that I can use my experience in other countries and will be a VIVA ambassador for many years to come. I have certainly broadened my horizons and Nepal has taken my outlook on life by the shoulders and given it a very serious shaking up. It has been a pleasure.

Thank you.

Ciarán.

Midland Showjumping for VIVA

2009-06-25T12:33:00.003+01:00

(Willie Quinn jumping at the show on May 3)

Midland Show Jumping is donating all entry fees from its four summer shows to VIVA. The shows which run on May 3rd, May 17th, June 21th and July 5th at the Sports Complex in Granard, Co. Longford are now a permanent fixture in the annual show jumping calendar.

VIVA would like to thank Midland Show Jumping and in particular, Brian Gormley and Oliver Durkin for their generous support.

Mike O'Leary Trust Travel Bursary 2009

2009-06-17T21:00:00.005+01:00

(L to R - Frank O'Leary, Carmel Molloy and Sean O'Laoide (VIVA Chairman)

Today at a ceremony at the Veterinary College in UCD, Carmel Molloy, a third-year veterinary student from Thurles, Co. Tipperary, was presented with the Mike O’Leary Trust Travel Bursary for 2009. This is the fifth year of the Bursary which sponsors a veterinary student each year to spend a month working on one of VIVA’s overseas projects. The Mike O’Leary Trust was established to honour the memory of Kerry vet, Mike O’Leary. His family and friends have undertaken a number of fundraising initiatives over the years to raise funds for the Travel Bursary in addition to supporting the Irish NGO, GOAL and cardiomyopathy research. The O’Leary family was represented at today’s ceremony by Mike’s father, Frank O’Leary.

Carmel will spend a month in Uganda working with our partner there, Heifer Uganda, which will give her the opportunity to visit the VIVA-funded Koilei Amora Ican Animal Traction Project. One hundred and twenty eight families are being supported with the distribution of draft oxen, ploughs and carts. VIVA has committed € 80,000 over the next three years to this project. For more information visit our website http://www.viva.ie/

VIVA would again like to thank the Mike O’Leary Trust for their generous sponsorship of this unique initiative.

Women's Mini-Marathon 2009

2009-06-16T10:33:00.002+01:00

(L to R - Anne Halligan, Laura Farrell, Morag White, Cynthia Geelan, Cathy Hawthorne)

This year, for the first time, VIVA had a team taking part in the Women's Mini-Marathon in Dublin with 17 supporters walking, jogging or running to raise funds for VIVA's Nepal programme. Since its inception in 1983 the event has grown to become the world's largest all-women sports event with over 40,000 participants each year. Charities are the big winners and it is now the biggest single day charity event in the country with over € 100m raised since 1983 for various charities.

Brendan Mimnagh and myself went along to Longford Railway Station to see off one group of participants, the Longford Animal Health Centre team. Cathy Hawthorne, Cynthia Geelan, Morag White, Anne Halligan and Laura Farrell (pictured below) looked resplendent in their new VIVA t-shirts. A big thank-you to all the women who ran for VIVA. If you would like to register for next year's team please contact me on mike@viva.ie