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Angola Diary
20th - 26th Octorber 2003
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I am a deminer for MAG working in Cunene Province, in the south of Angola. I have been working for MAG since 1999. I came from Lubango in 1999 to look for work, as I was a truck driver before but the job was very low paid. I was looking for work for 6 months before I saw the advertisement for deminers, so decided to apply to be a deminer. It was the only option as there was few jobs. I was worried in the beginning, but I did the training course and after I got some experience of demining I was less worried.
Recently we have been working in Cuvelai, on a minefield near to some villages and the town. The minefield is next to a busy path, so there are often people walking along to go to the market in the town. It is a good place to work, and I like camping out here. After a days work I usually take a bath, as it is very hot in the body armour and in the sun all day. Then I read something and go to sleep early.
I am married and I have 7 children in Ondjiva. I also have three more children in Lubango. I can only go to Lubango occasionally as it is a long way from Ondjiva, and I have to work most of the time. But I go there two or three times a year to visit my family.
The biggest problem for demining in Cunene for MAG is transport. Some of our vehicles are over 15 years old, and they break down frequently. However we recently received two new Toyota Landcruisers, so that has improved the situation. I hope we can continue to get the support of the Japanese people to help us keep doing our work. We also recently got some new body armour, which is much better than the old equipment.
Gabriel Chiluya
Deminer, MAT 3
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