In Colombia, Eliana has been working for HALO for just over a year but has already completed training to become a paramedic deminer and recently was promoted to a leadership position. She is a single mother with two daughters and is proud to be contributing to the peace process in her home country.
How long have you worked for HALO?
I've been working for The HALO Trust for thirteen months. I started on the demining course and then I did the paramedic course. In June of 2017 I was accredited as Demining Leader and at the moment I am in the department of Cauca supporting the demining course there. Working for HALO has been a very positive experience. I feel I am making a contribution to the community, and as such, to my country. In my own small way, I am helping the peace process in Colombia.
What were you doing before you joined HALO?
I used to be a housewife, however, I already had problems with my partner and practically lived alone with my daughters. That's when I heard about HALO from a friend who has family members who work in the organization. They held a recruitment drive and I was successful in getting a job. I’m able to work in the field thanks to my mother who takes care of my daughters when I’m away.
What does your family think of you working as a deminer?
My mother supports me 100% at work. I also have the unconditional support of my oldest daughter.
What’s it like living in remote camps?
It is complicated because, more than anything, as a mother you miss your children. They are still growing and developing and of course it would be nice to be there with them every day. However, I know that what I’m doing is for their future and wellbeing. Living in the camp is very good, I share with many people and get along very well with everyone so it is a very healthy coexistence. Above all, there is respect between everyone and HALO is like a family.
What’s it like living away from your family?
I really miss them, but I talk to them every day in the mornings before going to work. I can also speak with them in the afternoon and evening via video calls
What do other women think of you doing this job?
They are amazed because they say that it is a very dangerous job, they never imagined that I would take this path, that I would be doing what I do. They do worry because they think that it is dangerous but that does not affect me because I am sure of what I do and why I do it.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I have many ambitions. I have already fulfilled one of my goals—to be accredited as a Leader in less than a year! The next step is to be a Supervisor, and my long-term goal is to be an Operations Officer for HALO. To achieve, it’s important to be ambitious and disciplined. At the moment in HALO I have many aspirations and I know that, with effort and dedication, I will achieve them.
What opportunities has your job given you or your family?
This work has enabled me to better provide for my daughters, both materially and emotionally. The fact that I am away a lot is very useful for them to understand that they can succeed on their own and that they don’t always have to rely on their mother.
I also have my house project! I want to build my own home and I already have a plot of land in the department of Tolima. In addition, I have been able to pay for my daughters’ education, and to ensure that they have enough home comforts to feel cared for and loved even though I’m not always with them.
If you could ask a fellow female deminer from around the world one question, what would it be?
My question would be for those countries that have women only teams. In Colombia we have mixed teams so I am interested to know how they feel working with men and women separated. It would be interesting to know how the sections are planned and managed.
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