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Laos Womens Demining Teams

Peng Souvanthon, age 26, Team Leader, with her 2 day old son and 6 year old daughter at home. Even at 8 months pregnant she worked in remote Nong Het field locations clearing bombs up until the day she gave birth..."I used to be a farmer. My background is useful because even if the weather conditions are difficult I can still do my job. At that time my husband and I had no cash income so it was hard to look after our baby. So when MAG was recruiting VAC (Village Assisted Clearance) team members, I applied. At first I cut vegetation, then I was trained to use a detector. The technical field manager saw I had progressed and encouraged me to apply to become a technician. I passed the test. Then after a while I was promoted to deputy team leader and now team leader. My family are very proud, and I am happy! I enjoy managing things - the team members, the equipment and the site. And I remember everything I have learned during the training. To ge a good team leader you must show your love for your team members. You must discuss everything with them, and carefully go through the workplan with them each day. And you must help anyone who has difficulties."...Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam. Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill. However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%. Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury. ..The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows: Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.

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Roger Arnold
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Laos Female Demining Team
Peng Souvanthon, age 26, Team Leader, with her 2 day old son and 6 year old daughter at home. Even at 8 months pregnant she worked in remote Nong Het field locations clearing bombs up until the day she gave birth..."I used to be a farmer. My background is useful because even if the weather conditions are difficult I can still do my job. At that time my husband and I had no cash income so it was hard to look after our baby. So when MAG was recruiting VAC (Village Assisted Clearance) team members, I applied. At first I cut vegetation, then I was trained to use a detector. The technical field manager saw I had progressed and encouraged me to apply to become a technician. I passed the test. Then after a while I was promoted to deputy team leader and now team leader. My family are very proud, and I am happy! I enjoy managing things - the team members, the equipment and the site. And I remember everything I have learned during the training. To ge a good team leader you must show your love for your team members. You must discuss everything with them, and carefully go through the workplan with them each day. And you must help anyone who has difficulties."...Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam. Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill. However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%. Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury. ..The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows: Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.