Clearing Cambodia: Phanthy and Dina's story

In the rural village of Samraong, Cambodia, Ros Phanthy and his wife, Dam Dina, have cultivated not only crops but also a renewed sense of safety and possibility. Nearly 20 years ago, the couple inherited a plot of land from Phanthy's father, a former Khmer Rouge soldier, and moved from the city of Svay Rieng to start their new life in Pursat province. But their hopes for a fresh start were overshadowed by a dangerous reality: the land was contaminated with deadly landmines.

"When we first moved here, we knew the land was contaminated, but we didn't know who to report this to", says Phanthy. With no other choice, the couple cautiously began clearing vegetation to plant cassava, rice and corn. As they plowed, their fears were confirmed – landmines emerged from the soil.

"Each time we ploughed, three or four mines would appear", Dina recalls. Despite the danger, they persevered – their farmland was their only source of livelihood. "We were terrified", Dina recalls. "But we had to keep working to provide for our family."

The danger wasn't just theoretical. On a nearby farm, neighbors mistook a buried mine for a jar of gold. The tragic explosion served as a chilling reminder of the constant threat beneath their feet. Desperate for safety, the couple finally contacted HALO in 2020, marking the beginning of a life-changing transformation.

Their fears turned to hope when HALO's demining team began clearing their land. Over the next three years, every inch of the couple's property was painstakingly made safe, allowing them to expand their farming efforts and build a future free of fear. Today, Phanthy and Dina's land is not only free of landmines but also flourishing like never before.

HALO deminers in Cambodia painstakingly work to remove hidden dangers like landmines, making farmland safe for families like Phanthy and Dina to thrive and build a brighter future.

"HALO clearance has benefited us so much and in so many ways", says farmer, Ros Phanthy.

"Most importantly, our lives – and those of other countryside farmers – are protected. However, it has also allowed us to increase our income and send our children to school. Our son will now start high school next year... and the extra income has helped achieve this."

Today, the transformation is clear. "I feel safe now. I no longer fear working on my land", says Dina with a smile. With their farmland cleared, the family has been able to plant more crops than ever before, transitioning to more profitable options like bananas and oranges. This shift has increased their income, enabling them to send their son to high school and provide for their children's education.

This is the transformative power of demining. For families like Phanthy and Dina’s, reclaiming their land means more than planting crops – it means planting seeds of hope, growth and opportunity.