writer: liz werner
photographer: claudia janke
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Eng Sokhai puts on heavy protective gear, which, along with the heat and humidity, makes the extremely physical
work even harder. |
Few occupations in the world require workers to tote
metal detectors and whistles, don protective body
suits and possess explicit knowledge of landmines and
unexploded ordnance. Such requisites conjure up visions
of militias or bomb squads – organized groups working to
either cause destruction or keep peace. One peacekeeping
vocation needing such apparel and expertise is landmine
clearance: the process of seeking and safely destroying
bombs and other explosive devices buried below the
ground. This vocation in de-mining requires highly skilled
workers who are extremely precise and above all, fearless.
Mines Advisory Group (MAG) trains and organizes
de-miners. Their mission is: "[To help] people affected
by the remnants of conflict through responsive, qualitydriven
and progressive action. [To] remove the physical
threat of injury and death and alleviate economic
devastation. [To] provide clearance and education
enabling an escape from the poverty and suffering caused
by conflict." MAG is funded by several sources including
national governments, UN agancies, foundations and
trusts, charities and individuals. Landmine clearance
is just one of many projects that MAG orchestrates in
order to establish safer communities. Headquartered in
Manchester, UK, MAG has worked on projects in over 35
countries around the world. |
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 lathchum bory, de-miner
“I am 49 years old and joined Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in
1996. I was in a mixed team at first and was one of the first
recruits to the all–women team. MAG was seeking widows to
work for them and my husband had been killed by a mine in
the Paulin area in 1988. He was a government soldier. I had two
small children when he died. I have cleared hundreds of mines
in my ten years with MAG. Some fields are more concentrated
than others. At first I was scared, but then my confidence grew.
My job is very important to me [because I can] support my
family. Before I was working, family life was very difficult for a
widow without any money. We only had porridge to eat. I was
just a small vegetable seller and people used to look down
on me. Now I have enough money for food and to support my
elderly mother. Life is much better now and people say I’m
brave and pay me respect.” |
| Mine Action Team 12 (MAT 12) is a group of MAG
de-miners who are working to clear rural Cambodia of
landmines. Along with an already atypical occupation, this
team maintains yet another unique component in their
make-up: every member is female. At its genesis, MAT 12
was a team of both men and women but was restructured
to an all-female group in 2003. The women that make up
MAT 12 simultaneously defy occupational conventions
and gender norms for the sake of the safety and longevity
of their communities and families. |
 da lin, de-miner
“I have been a de-miner for 11 years, and I have two children.
I was very happy to get the job because it is difficult for a woman
with no education like me to find work. We get good training,
and we follow the standard operating procedures to stay safe. In
the market, people ask me if I am afraid to work with mines; I tell
them I’m not afraid because I’ve been trained. The villagers praise
me and think we are very brave women.
“When I’m [at] work I have to focus on the job. I know my kids
are well cared for by my mom. I use my wages to pay for their
schooling and extra English lessons. I really want to tell people
about our work and raise awareness. This female team needs
funds; it will be very difficult if we are laid off with no wages.
We need security of work and we want to make this country safe.”
sun kim loeurt, de-miner and medic
"I am 37 years old and I have a five-year-old daughter. My
husband died in 2001, and my daughter lives with my parents
when I'm working. The most important part of this job to me is
the wage. I need it to pay for my daughter's education. I hope
one day she will become a doctor. That would be a useful skill
to have in my family. Before I joined MAG in 1995, I worked in
a jute factory operating two machines which made jute sacks.
The factory in Battambang is closed now, and working as a
de-miner is much better paid. I have been the team medic for
two years and a de-miner for nine years." |
pich savy, de-miner
“I’m 37 and have been a de-miner for six years. I really want to
keep this job as long as possible – until I get old. Before MAG,
I didn’t have enough money to support my family or put my two
children through school. It’s hard to leave my children during
the week, but it’s good to see them on the weekend.”
hea soklent, de-miner
“Before MAG, I was a seller in the market, and I hardly made any
money. This is a much better job. It is a dangerous job, but I have
to do it for my children. The best part is the money; it makes life
much easier.”
suon nary, senior de-miner
"I am 31 years old and I have been a de-miner for 11 years.
I joined the team to improve my living conditions and
earn a wage. Before MAG, I was a student in Battambang
and wanted to become a lawyer, but it was too expensive
to continue at school. My job supports nine people, my
children, brothers, sisters and godchildren. I am proud to
have a job which can provide for them. When I am away
working, I miss my children. It is the hardest part of this job,
but I have no choice; I have to work. Without this work, [life
would be very difficult]. I want my children to have a good
education [in order] to get a good job with the government
or with an NGO.
"During the weekend I go home, clean the house, cook and
wash. My new husband is proud of my work. It's a good job
for a woman with little education. I like living with the
other de-miners too. We are friends, and they supported me
when I was widowed. I hope the donors see our work and
give their support." |
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