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Cambodia Diary
01-07 October, 2003
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It has been raining everyday during this first week of October cycle, therefore, demining has been hindered. The access to minefield is more difficult as the road is getting increasingly worse but the task will not be suspended. Well, now it's 19:15 a.m and it's raining. Not too bad! While demining is paused and waiting for the rain to stop I can concentrate on what I should say for a diary since I have been told to get ready.
My name is Ty Tony, 29 years old and my birthplace is Svay Yeang village, Kandeang commune, Kandeang district, Pursat province where my family is living. I am married and I have two sons. In 1995 I stopped studying and worked as a farmer helping my sister to support the family. We are orphans after our parents disappeared in Pol Pot's regime.
In 1997 I was offered a good chance to work for The HALO Trust that has made me very happy. We were briefed on HALO principles and policy then transported to Boeng Trakoun for training. After the course had completed I worked as a deminer in Thma Puok then Siem Reap and now I am moving into a new location in Kamrieng district, Battambang province.
So far I have been working in 60 minefields including O'Chambak Village-1A which is being extended and demined by TBS sections. When I was a deminer I found more than a hundred mines in those minefields. I worked hard and I was promoted to be a Deputy Section Commander in September 1999 and since June 2001 I am promoted to be a Section Commander to be in charge of seven deminers. My life has been much better since working for The HALO Trust. I am not only able to support my family but also assist the poorest communities in Cambodia getting mines out of the ground. Now I have learned more than in the past and managing my section is a good experience.
Finally, I would like to say "Thank You" to all donors especially, The Zero Landmine Campaign for helping Cambodian people. I hope TBS will continue funding mineclearance programme until there is no mine in the ground of Cambodia.
Best wishes.
Ty Tony
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