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鈥淎fter the war, we were all so hopeful. It was a fresh start for all of us. We built a new house and started everything from scratch. But none of us knew our life would change so drastically.鈥� Zejnepe Vila, Paldenica village, Kosovo.

Only months after the war in Kosovo ended an explosion shattered the newly found peace in the village of Paldenica in the south east of the country. Zejnepe Vila was at home with her family when the blast sounded.

鈥淚 was playing with my children when my neighbours suddenly burst into my house. I saw the look on their faces and I knew something was wrong鈥攖hey looked terrified.鈥�

Her husband, Afet, had been working in the forest to collect firewood鈥攁 vital source of both fuel and income for many local families. The area had been heavily mined during the war but with no other way to earn money, the Vila family had little choice but to risk entering the forest.

Whilst cutting wood Afet stood on a landmine鈥攊t detonated immediately, taking off his leg. In an effort to find and help Afet, his brother was also injured. The terrible news spread through the village, reaching Zejnepe.

鈥淭hey took my children into another room and told me about the accident鈥擨 felt my world collapse and then my body collapsed as I fainted.鈥�

The accident left Afet bedridden for nine months, unable to work or support his family. Zejnepe took care of the house and children as best she could but it was a struggle to survive.

鈥淟ife after the accident was full of fear. The children were afraid to go out. They couldn鈥檛 enjoy their childhood and didn鈥檛 even think about playing outside because of what had happened to their father.鈥�

Afet eventually underwent surgery and now has a prosthetic leg which allows him to get around but he has not been able to work since the accident.

Many of Kosovo's 47 remaining minefields are in forested areas. This has a devastating impact on local people who rely on woodcutting to heat their homes or as a means to earn a living.

HALO has been working to make these areas safe. In November 2017, our deminers finished clearing the minefield where Afet had his accident鈥攔emoving a further 18 landmines that could have injured or killed more villagers. By the end of the year, Paldenica will be mine free and families like Zejnepe鈥檚 will be able to use the forest without fear.