Volunteer Vet.

I have been the recipient of some amazing good fortune. A benefactor who will remain anonymous sponsored a vet to fly out to Mozambique to help us with urgent veterinary problems. The vet provided his time, the benefactor provided his flight and sponsored the drugs. We corresponded before he left and I had warned him of the perils of Mozambleak but he was undeterred, enthusiastic and keen.

A hired vehicle was included so our vet was spared the shappa ride from Beira to Chimoio. As I have had every document I possess stolen in Mozambique the last remaining piece of paper I have is a photocopy of my driving licence. This was carefully placed in my bag. Denzia and I set off to Beira in high spirits to meet the vet and his wife. As it happens we were caught for speeding not far out off Chimoio and had to pull over. Inevitably I was asked to produce my driving licence which I handed over smiling cheerfully as one does when you are stopped by the police. 

I might as well have handed him a defaced copy of the Koran he was so incensed. In Mozambique you are not allowed a photocopy of your driving license. As he leapt up and down plump Denzia removed herself from the car and waddled over trying to placate him. I resigned myself to multa (fine) time an active hobby in Mozambique practised by most officials in uniforms specially round the end of the month. Eventually Denzia secured a 1000 met fine without receipt and we were allowed to proceed on our journey.

On arrival at Beira airport we waited breathlessly for the Johannesburg flight hopping from one leg to another desperately trying to peer through the door to give our vet and his wife a joyful welcome. I studied the group of people coming through the door but could not identify anybody who remotely looked like a vet. As the last passenger disappeared into the car park Denzia and I looked at one another a little frantically.

I rushed off to the South African Airline desk and demanded to see the passenger list. This was reluctantly produced and as I traced the passenger names with my finger, there at the bottom in bold letters was the vet's name. "Where is he"? I demanded jabbing a finger at the desk clerk, who swiftly retreated into his office shaking his head. I was now having visions of kidnappings, or the vet locked in the plane lavatory!!! My imagination began to run wild. Just as I was wondering what to tell the Benefactor the phone rang. It was our poor vet they had missed the Johannesburg Beira flight. It had been delayed so he and his wife went off to while away the time. Unfortunately for them although the flight had been delayed initially, it had then reverted back to its original time without informing the passengers. There were no announcements so those who did not have their eyes glued to the flight board simply missed the flight.

Denzia and I stayed in Beira and met the next flight in. There was no mistaking the vet this time he had the most enormous amount of luggage most of it for the Mozambique Horses.. As he and his wife staggered through the door weighed down we almost fell into their arms. I wedged them into the car and we set off to Chimoio. Not far out of Beira we were once again stopped by a Police Control Unit. As we were told to park on the side of the road I knew that producing the driving licence would have the same effect on this policeman as the last. I braced myself. He walked slowly up to the car and then stopped at the window. I gave up on the enthusiastic hello as I knew we were already doomed. I handed over my driving licence and as expected our policeman burst into a tirade. Denzia once again extracted herself from the front seat and tried to make amends. He then demanded my passport. When I explained I did not have this document with me either I was hauled out of the car and taken off to a brick building for questioning. Our poor vet and his wife were left guarding the car looking quite terrified and I am sure wondering if they would ever see us again..

It seemed that we were in enormous trouble and would have to pay a 4000 met fine. Denzia and I both knew we did not have enough money with us. There was no alternative but to sob.I raised my hands to my face and gave a heart-rendering wail. Would this have the desired effect? I looked expectantly at Denzia through the cracks in my fingers. It seemed not to, so I abandoned the hysterical outburst. Eventually after lengthy negotiations we were allowed to leave giving him 2500 mets with no receipt.

On arrival at Chimoio our vet set to work. 20 castrations in one day, an eye removal, two tumours. As he rolled around in the dagga flies buzzing round his head and rivulets of sweat running down his face we were all filled with admiration. After an exhausting day we would head home at night and watch him quietly castrate neighbours dogs and cats without complaint. His grand finale was amputating one of our grooms toes. A toe that dangled from a thread and had been a constant irritant to our groom Never since 1968. Never was so proud that he popped the toe in a match box and put it in his pocket no doubt to show all his friends and relatives. 

A week went by too quickly and sadly we had to say goodbye. This wonderful gesture has been so appreciated and for me a dream come true. Well done to this wonderful vet and his wife who selflessly gave up their time and thank you to a benefactor who indeed was my Equine Fairy Godmother. Thank you to you all.

Amanda and the Mozambique Horses.
Casa Bella,
Mozambique