LAO PDR: All-female clearance team

Peng Souvanthon,25
Team Leader
"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."

Sidavone Sipaseuth, 30
Deputy Team Leader
"I want to clear UXO from my country because my older sister lost one eye and injured her leg in a UXO accident 15 years ago. She was digging in a field near our house [in Houay Dok Kham village, the site of one of MAG's projects] when her shovel hit a hombie under the surface and it exploded. I have a lot of experience. I worked for UXO Lao, the national clearance agency, for six years, but MAG has trained me further - on how to use new types of detectors and how to conduct a demolition. Part of being a good deputy team leader is about trying to build good team spirit. We haven't worked together long but we already enjoy sharing jokes with each other!"

Manisia Thorthongyer, 19
Technician
"Our team can show that women can do anything! I want people to know that Lao women are as strong as women from other countries. I have heard lots of stories about UXO accidents involving farmers. UXO is dangerous, but if we follow what we have learnt during training, we are not at risk. I was very happy to receive training about detectors, different types of UXO and basic first aid."

Vansom Pimavong, 30
Technician
"I am divroced and have three young children. I also support my aunt who lives with us. Before joining the women's team, I worked as a cleaner in the MAG office for two years, but I wanted to change my job so I applied for this position. I am happy to be working with UXO, because I want to make the land safe for Lao people. In my village I saw the aftermath of a UXO accident where two people were killed and two injured. Someone was trying to dismantle a bomb in order to sell the scrap metal."

Maxmanee Mangnormek, 21
Technician
"When I heard about the vacancies for the women's team I wanted to join. I find it easy to work with other women, our personalities are similar and we know how to work together. We can work just as well as the men. I have seen photographs of UXO accident victims. I am not scared of UXO, but I know we have to be careful."

Boualapha Inthavongsa, 24
Medic
"I have worked for MAG for three years. None of our staff have been injured by UXO in that time, but once I stabilised a villager who was injured in a UXO accident. The team members do get injuries such as cuts from vegetation cutting machines, insect bites and so on. I also have to check the health of the teams before and during their work. It could be dangerous if they were not able to concentrate. Before I was the only female in the team! I like being in a women's team, I have lots of friends. I also eat better now as Lao women bring more food to share than Lao men!"

Vonekham Dalavong, 29
Technician
"Since joining MAG I sleep better than I used to - you sleep better when you work outside all day. A used to work as an accountant in an office, but I was bored working at a computer so I applied for this job. I used to be a farmer and still enjoy working with my hands and being outside. Three of my aunt's children were killed by UXO in my village, Ban Vieng Khoan, a few years ago. They all died in an instant. My village is highly contaminated - we have UXO accidents every year. I hope MAG will work there in the future."

Sonedavanh Somphoneheung, 34
Medic
"I will miss my children, who are aged eight and three, when I am away working in rural areas, but without this job we won't have money to raise them, as my husband doesn't have a job. He is pleased I have this opportunity. In the past I worked as a nurse in a hospital, but I have been out of work for the last two years before getting this job."

Bouakham Keophomma, 19
Technician
"I joined MAG because there are no job opportunities in my village. This is a good job. I enjoyed the training, although it took some time to learn to use the detectors properly! MAG reduces the risk of accidents for villagers and clears land so they can increase the quantity of food they can grow."

Souksavanh Thongtimahaxay, 23
Technician
"I am the tallest member of the team, but unfortunately I am about the only person who doesn't play volleyball! My uncle was killed in a UXO accident in 1991. He made a fire to keep warm, and there was a bomb below the surface, which exploded. I am proud to be part of the first women's team in the province."

Davanh Simmavong, 24
Technician
"Our team usually travels together, but so far we did not receive much attention from men who see us. I think they must be scared of us! I finished my teacher training last year but decided to join MAG instead. Both jobs help the community in different ways. My friends think this job is a good opportunity for me. As women, the only difficulty we face is that we are not as strong as the men, but I think in some ways we work better. We don't let our emotions come to the surface so quickly, so we can work more smoothly."

Vienglada Siladeth, 45
Technician
"I like to read the newspapers and in the past I sometimes read stories about UXO accidents. Now I am actually involved in helping to solve the problem. I was interested to apply when I heard that MAG wants to promote women. Now I am the team's 'older sister' - I am married with four chldren. The training was good - I had never seen a metal detector before! It was fun for me. There is no difference between what men and women can do. We received the same training and we can do the same tasks.