Roger Arnold

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  • The 16th century Buddha at Wat Phia Wat is almost all that is left of the ancient capital of Xieng Khuang, Laos.  The Buddha is missing part of its right arm and is scared by bomb scrapnel.  The temple that once covered it was blown up.  In 1969 between 1,500 and 2,500 structures were flattened in the town and surrounding area by fierce air to ground fighting in US Operation "Rain Dance."  The town and temple was reported to be occupied by communist insurgents mostly comprised of large heavily armed concentrations of North Vietnamese Army invading Laos.
    Laos Der Spiegel Images_7.jpg
  • Bomb casings decorate the entrance to a guest house in Phonsavan, Laos.  Many bombs from the secret war have been used for building products and creative products like air compressors.  Approximately 90 million cluster bombs were dropped on Laos and 10 to 30 percent of them failed to arm properly and never exploded.  Countless cluster and big bombs are still in the ground waiting to detonate in Laos.  Approximately 13 thousand people in Laos have been killed or maimed as victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) since the war ceased.
    Laos Der Spiegel Images_1.jpg
  • Metal hunter Mr. Khamlek at Phonsavan Hospital one day after witnessesing his friend Mr. Pai die from trying to open a bomb near Phou Vieng, Laos, July 7, 2004.  He denied knowing Mr.Pai claiming to be an innocent passerby, hoping to claim relief assistance for those injured accidentally.  Those whose intentionally contact bombs are not elgible for assistance.  His friends and neighbors said he and Mr. Pai were close friends and that he had actually talked his friend, a retired bomb dissassembler, into trying to open the bomb for $15.
    856626.jpg
  • Metal hunter Mr. Khamlek at Phonsavan Hospital one day after witnessesing his friend Mr. Pai die from trying to open a bomb near Phou Vieng, Laos, July 7, 2004.  He denied knowing Mr.Pai claiming to be an innocent passerby, hoping to claim relief assistance for those injured accidentally.  Those whose intentionally contact bombs are not elgible for assistance.  His friends and neighbors said he and Mr. Pai were close friends and that he had actually talked his friend, a retired bomb dissassembler, into trying to open the bomb for $15.
    857900.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technicians, Sia Thorthongyer, age 19 (left) and Vonekham Dalavong, age 29 (right), use a metal detector and shovel to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  Sia and Vonekham said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_16.jpg
  • A man in a field of bomb craters in Ban Kay, Laos.  Much of Laos looks like a pastoral moonscape.  30 years later nothing grows these craters, which are a prime source of bomb fragment for scrap metal hunters.  2,000 - 3,000 lb fragmentation bombs are said to have created these craters.  The US dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it one of the most heavily bombed countries in world history.
    Laos Der Spiegel Images_3.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group (MAG) women's Team Leader, Peng Souvanthon, age 26, 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. ..She says, "I'm happy to have helped my village and made it more safe for farming."  And when asked about competing with the MAG men's demining teams she says "Yes, if the men clear 2,000 sq m of land per day, then we women want to do even more."..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 270,000 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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.  ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_02.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technician, Sia Thorthongyer, age 19, scales a farmers fence with a metal detector to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  Sia and her partner Vonekham said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_13.jpg
  • Part of the ladies team enjoy a lunch of sticky rice, soup, and fresh vegetables, with friends from the regional office. ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_19.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technicians, Sia Thorthongyer, age 19 (left) and Vonekham Dalavong, age 29 (right), take their dangerous jobs seriously, but find humor is sometimes the best way to avoid stress.  They joke about the perils of 12 women trying to share one bathroom in the morning.  Sia said, "Sometimes we are all standing crossed legged in the que pounding on the door yelling emergency with threats for who ever is in the bathroom.  Sometimes we just run to a bush."..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_20.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technician, Sia Thorthongyer, age 19, uses a metal detector to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  Sia and her partner Vonekham said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_14.jpg
  • Sia Thorthongyer, age 20, visits her supervisor, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) women's Team Leader, Peng Souvanthon, age 26, 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. ..She says, "I'm happy to have helped my village and made it more safe for farming."  And when asked about competing with the MAG men's demining teams she says "Yes, if the men clear 2,000 sq m of land per day, then we women want to do even more."..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 270,000 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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.  ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_03.jpg
  • Part of the ladies team enjoy a lunch of sticky rice, soup, and fresh vegetables, with friends from the regional office.   ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_18.jpg
  • A young girl farming in Phonsavan, Laos.  Most of Laos consists of rural subsistance farmers.  Digging in soil heavily contaminated with bombs is a constant threat to life for farmers in the region.
    Laos Der Spiegel Images_4.jpg
  • Willi Kubirske, Technical Field Manager, for Mines Advisory Group (MAG) holds a US cluster bomb at the MAG office in Phonsavan, Laos.  Approximately 90 million cluster bombs were dropped on Laos and 10 to 30 percent of them failed to arm properly and never exploded.  Countless cluster and big bombs are still in the ground waiting to detonate in Laos.  Approximately 13 thousand people in Laos have been killed or maimed as victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) since the war ceased.  ***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)***      *** Local Caption *** ***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)***
    Laos Der Spiegel Images_2.JPG
  • Mines Advisory Group (MAG) women's team unload and prepare for work in Nong Het, Laos...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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_07.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technician, Vonekham Dalavong, age 29, uses a metal detector to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  She and her partner, Sia, said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.. .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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_06.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technicians, Sia Thorthongyer, age 19 (left) and Vonekham Dalavong, age 29 (right), take their dangerous jobs seriously, but find humor is sometimes the best way to avoid stress.  They joke about the perils of 12 women trying to share one bathroom in the morning.  Sia said, "Sometimes we are all standing crossed legged in the que pounding on the door yelling emergency with threats for who ever is in the bathroom.  Sometimes we just run to a bush."..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_21.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technicians, Souksavanh Thongtimahaxay, age 23, and , Vienglada Siladeth, age 46, unpack their metal detectors and prepare to search for unexploded ordinance (UXO)...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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.. .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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_09.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, female Technician, Bouakham Keophomma, age 19, marks an area for bomb clearance with rope...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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world...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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_11.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, ladies Technicians, prepare their metal detectors to search for unexploded ordinance (UXO)...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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world...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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_10.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group (MAG) women's team in Nong Het, Laos...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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_05.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technician, Vonekham Dalavong, age 29, uses a metal detector to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  She and her partner, Sia, said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world..   .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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_04.jpg
  • Mr. Boonmi with his bomb compressor made from a US 750 lb framentation bomb left over from the US and Vietnamese secret war in Phou Vieng, Laos.  He dismantled the live bomb which uses a Russian rocket propelled grenade for a carburetor.  The invading North Vietnamese Army destroyed the historic town in nearby Muang Sui.
    Laos Der Spiegel Images_5.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group (MAG) women's team unload and prepare for work in Nong Het, Laos.  On the roof helping them unload is their male driver, Sivone Dathvongsone, age 42, says "I am proud to be the only man in the womens team."  ....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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_08.jpg
  • Two young boys in front of their home sit on bombs left over from the US and Vietnamese secret war in Phou Vieng, Laos.  The boy are sitting on a 2,000 lb. bomb.  The other bomb is a 750 lb. bomb.  The invading North Vietnamese Army destroyed the historic town in nearby Muang Sui.
    Laos Der Spiegel Images_6.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group ladies demining team walk past a huge bomb crater probably from a large US fragmentation bomb in Nong Het, Laos.  ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.   ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_17.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technician, Sia Thorthongyer, age 19, uses a metal detector to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  Sia and her partner Vonekham said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_15.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technicians, Sia Thorthongyer, age 19 (left) and Vonekham Dalavong, age 29 (right), scale a farmers fence with a metal detector to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  Sia and Vonekham said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world..   .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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_12.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group (MAG) women's Team Leader, Peng Souvanthon, age 26, 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. ..She says, "I'm happy to have helped my village and made it more safe for farming."  And when asked about competing with the MAG men's demining teams she says "Yes, if the men clear 2,000 sq m of land per day, then we women want to do even more."..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 270,000 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 US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.  ..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)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_01.jpg
  • 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)***.
    Laos MAG Portraits_01.jpg
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