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Cambodia Diary
5-11 February , 2004
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My name is Youth Youy. I was born in 1973 in Duon Lai village, Mkak commune, Serei Sophean district, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia. I am the oldest child in the family of 2 children. I am married and have a daughter.
After 1979 my family was very poor. My parents stayed in the farm cultivating rice for nearly 12 hours a day to feed us. We had lived in the village during the war where our lives were at threat. In 1991 I left school to help my father and mother with farming, but our production was not so good. In 1997, I learnt that an organization was recruiting people to clear mines. At the mean time I was so interested in this job; however, my parents at first did not allow me to work with mines since they were concerned about my safety. I finally joined HALO and was sent to train how to clear mines three days later. Not before long, life at the training center was over and I was sent to work in the actual minefield: Kok Mon.
It has been four years that I have worked for the HALO Trust and things are getting better for me. With the salary earned, I could marry my wife in 2000. I am so pleased to work and very thankful to the HALO Trust and donors especially AAR/TBS for having supported us so far. This week I am working at Kdep Thma Road 4 minefield, a part of K5 mine belt. Everyday I work carefully and always comply with SOP under the supervision of my Section Commander and Field Officer. Up to now, I have found 70 anti- personnel- mines. Those are 20 PMN2, 10 PMN, 4 PMD6, 6 Type 69, 5 type 72A, 7 POMZ, 3 POMZ2B and 15 MD82B.
I am highly committed to comply with HALO’s rules for the sake of myself, family and Cambodian remote villagers whose lives suffer from mine-threat. In the end, I hopefully believe donors will keep supporting HALO mineclearance program until mines are cleared from the whole Cambodian ground.
Best wishes,
Youth Youy
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