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Cambodia Diary
11-17 December , 2003
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I am Yee Rith, 32 years- old, living in Prey Totoeng 1 village, Bavel commune, Bavel district, Battambang province. I married in 1998 and have 2 children (1 son and 1 daughter) who do not reach the age of school yet. As for my wife, she stays at home taking care of children, raising 4 pigs, farming, and doing some home-gardening. I have only a mother at the moment since my father died of sickness while he was conscripted for K5 mine-belt laying. In 1994 I stopped studying and worked as a farmer helping my old- age mother and sister. Since1996 I have been lucky to work for The HALO Trust as a deminer in two locations: Thma Puok and Kamrieng.
Roka Bos village 2 minefield is about 15 km away from the main road of Kamrieng district town, which is covered with dense forest and bamboo bushes. More poor villagers are currently moving here and farming on mined land. As soon as I came into this minefield section, I was briefed by the field officer about the history of mine- laying in this area. I was informed that, "The State of Cambodia and Vietnamese troops used this area as a military base from 1985 to 1988. During this period, they laid mines to protect themselves against Khmer Rouge attacks. More mines were laid along the edge of the river and in the minefield itself by the Sate of Cambodia when the Vietnamese troops withdrew from Cambodia. In 1989 Khmer Rouge took control over the area, and laid more mines for the area denial so that the base couldn't be used in the future. The fighting ceased in 1996 when the Khmer Rouge integrated with the Royal Government.
Today, the weather is hot, which is not good for demining since we have to work under the sunlight for hours, and this affect our health as well as the speed of clearance. Sweat keeps dripping and getting uniform wet all day.
I hope that I will be able to save more money to support my family, especially for my children study because I want them to have a better and brighter life than myself.
Many thanks for The HALO Trust and F46 Zero Landmine Campaign for supporting us.
Best regards,
Yee Rith
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