| MAG witnessed the devastation many women go through
when a loved one is killed by a landmine. Therefore,
they encourage women who have been closely affected by
landmines to apply for the de-mining team. Suon Nary
explains why de-mining is important to her, “My husband
was a farm worker but was killed by a mine. We had been
married for just one year and I had a young baby. Demining
is important to me because I want to reduce the
injuries and deaths caused by mines. I want to see land
made safe for housing, and I want to educate the villagers
about the dangers of mines.” |
 voeurn sonon, supervisor
"I joined MAT 12 as a de-miner when the women's team began
in 2003. I'm single and when I'm at home I live with my mother;
I have two older sisters. I like being busy and the responsibility
of being a supervisor. The special thing about this job is first of
all the money - I can support my family. Secondly, it's the fact
that I might save a villager's life by removing the mines. When
I first started, I felt scared and frightened; but the training
gave me confidence. The great thing about the team is that it
is a mix of new recruits and old-hands who reassure the new
members. Everyone helps each other." |
sam chany, de-miner
"I've been a de-miner since 1999, and it has improved my life.
Before MAG I didn't earn any money. I have two children and
I use my wages for their education and to support my mother.
I worry about my children while I'm working away, but it is for
their future too. I like living with the team; we have a laugh
and a joke. I look forward to the weekend to see my husband.
I cook, look after the kids and go to the market." |
| Not only do the women of MAT 12 create a safer
environment for rural villages in Cambodia, but they are
also able to provide for their families in a way they never
imagined possible. Prior to joining the team, many of
the women worked to sell homegrown vegetables at local
markets. Such backbreaking work often earned less than a
family could live on. However, once becoming
de-miners, these women earn $180 USD per month, which
provides support for their immediate families and their
extended families as well. They also have the opportunity
to provide an education for their children. “I love this
job,” says de-miner Hea Soklent. “It helps to reduce the
number of accidents to the villagers, and it’s been my
livelihood for six years.” |
The heat during the day often causes the women to have headaches. As a remedy, tiger balm is applied to the skin then scraped
off with a sharp instrument. |
| A unique closeness and camaraderie exists among the
women of MAT 12. Most MAG teams participate in
a day’s work and then return to their families each
evening. Due to the location of the mine fields, the
women of MAT 12 live and work together during the
week, seeing their husbands and family members only
on the weekends. Despite the notable age range of thewomen – 26 youngest, 49 oldest – “The women … love
each other like sisters and are very tolerant of each other.
There’s a mix of ages and we laugh and talk together. I am
proud of my job getting rid of mines in Cambodia. I hope
the next generation will walk free from the fear of mines,”
says de-miner Lathchum Bory. |
in 2006 alone, mat 12 cleared
90,360 square meters across
the battambang province. |
Da Lin searches for mines with a metal detector. |
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