In Laos, MAG teams are clearing fields that once hid deadly remnants of war, making them safe for families to grow food and earn a living.
For Mrs. See (pictured above) and her family in Hangkan Village, Khammouane Province, farming rice and cassava was always fraught with fear.
“We wanted to grow more crops, but it was challenging because of worries about bombs,” she said. “Every activity on our land made us anxious, especially because we have children.”
She recalled a tragic accident from years ago, when a boy found a bomb while hunting lizards. “It exploded and killed him instantly. That scared me. I have often found bombs on my farm, including a big, long one. I would cover it to stop it from exploding in the hot sun.”
Despite the dangers, her family continued to farm, though their harvest was never enough. “We used 20 sacks of rice for our meals, but it was not enough. We had to collect forest products, mostly bamboo, to eat and sell,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs. Vone and her household of six faced constant anxiety.
“I fear we might hit a bomb while clearing weeds, and I constantly worry that my child might find one while playing,” she said. She had also seen accidents happen in her neighbourhood, which only added to her fear.
Now, cleared land has allowed both families to farm with greater confidence.
“We farm in the same way, with the same tools as usual, but the feeling of safety is completely different,” said Mrs. See. “I think the yield will increase because we can do more with our land than we used to."
For the people of Hangkan Village, safe land means more than food or income – it has restored confidence, opportunity, and hope for the future.
