Meet “The Doctor” - Joy Suubo

In September 2010 Joy Suubo became the first female vet in the SOS team. Her veterinary shop and practice is located in the village of Serere.

Joy is not originally from this area and, not speaking the local language she admits to feeling a little lost during her first few days.  However, she swiftly threw herself into community life - getting to know people in the village and establishing her veterinary shop. Whilst some of the villagers were initially wary - could such a young person, a girl for that matter, really be a vet or know more than they did? - one year on, Joy is fully integrated into community life and trusted by the village residents, who generally refer to her as "the Doctor".

Despite not having received formal sales training, Joy seems to be a natural. She makes a point of getting to know the villagers who give her tips on which livestock owners to visit as potential customers. Joy does not only treat sick animals but also teaches farmers how to prevent them from falling sick in the first place.  She also takes good care of her customers, visiting them if they fall ill or if the family is blessed with a baby.  

The shop is staffed around the clock - 12 hours a day, 7 days a week - by Joy and her female assistant, and they take turns to go to church. Thus the assistant is always there when Joy does her early morning and late afternoon visits to farmers (animals are normally out grazing during the day).

Joy's sales have more than doubled since she started.  As a result, she told her parents not to worry about paying the school fees for her two younger brothers, as she can take care of these from the profits she makes from her in-field activities.  Joy also helped her younger sister, Mary, to set up a poultry business. Now into her second year of operations she seems happily settled in the area and well on her way of taking over the business.