Meet Dr Jean Claude Masengesho, our ambassador in Rwanda!
We have been asking YOU for questions to ask our amazing team of World Animal Day ambassadors. This is the first blog in the interview series where we share their answers with you. If you have something you would like to ask, please send it over to info@worldanimalday.org.uk.
Tell us a bit about you and the organisation you work for!
My name is Dr Jean Claude Masengesho. I am a Rwandan veterinary surgeon passionate about animal welfare and One Health.
I graduated from the University of Rwanda, between 2010 and 2014. I also undertook further trainings in Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostic and Animal Welfare at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, in 2015 for a period of 6 months. Later in 2020, I completed a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Project Management.
I have been involved in several Animal Welfare and One Health projects in Rwanda and outside the country as consultant. For instance, I was the project Manager of WTS-VETS UNITED in Rwanda. My work has allowed me to be well connected in animal welfare field regionally and globally and I have participated in animal welfare conferences and workshops in different countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana, Czech Republic, and more.
I am currently serving as the founder and Executive Director of Rwanda Animal Welfare Organization (RAWO). RAWO is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 2020 operating nationally. RAWO’s vision is a world where animals are treated with respect and compassion. Our mission is to advance animal welfare in Rwanda by improving the well-being of humans and animals.
RAWO has the following objectives:
- To use education and communication in order to engage the local community in the Five Freedoms (Five Needs) of animals.
- To work with key stakeholders to ensure that animal welfare is always considered in local, regional and national decision-making.
- To manage dog populations humanely.
- To work for the attainment of sustainable development through improved environmental conservation and public health.
- To investigate the implications of technology and prompt research on achieving better wellbeing of humans and animals.
RAWO is currently undertaking three programmes, namely Humane Dog Population Management (HDPM), farm animal welfare and Humane Compassion.
What is your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of my job is advocating animal welfare and delivering training at local and governmental level. I often schedule and meet with high-level governmental officials to discuss how we can work together to advance Animal welfare in Rwanda.
What is the biggest aim of your organisation at the moment?
The biggest aim of our organisation at the moment is to raise awareness and advocate animal welfare at country level so that policy makers, governmental officials and the Rwandan community could know that animals are sentient beings as ourselves and that they deserve a better life.
What is your biggest objective as an ambassador?
My biggest objective as an ambassador is to sensitise the Rwanda community on the importance of taking good care of animals by fulfilling the five freedoms of animals. I also advocate for owners taking full responsibility for their animals as these creatures really depend on them.
Additionally, I aim to make World Animal Day well known and celebrated at a county level to enhance Animal Welfare in Rwanda.
