Meet Vandala, Survey Team Leader for HALO Laos
Vandala was just 20 years old when she started working for HALO but became Survey Team Leader within a year. She is currently pregnant with her first child but plans to return to work for HALO after the baby is born.
What were you doing before you joined HALO?
Before joining HALO I was a farmer helping my family. We are from Vilabouly District, there are eight of us altogether in my house, they all still work as farmers except for me.
What does your family think of you working for HALO?
They are happy and proud of my work. My family does not have very much money and my job means I can support some of their costs, for example, if they have medical bills.
Do you enjoy working in a leadership position?
Yes, but I never expected to be promoted to Team Leader—I just wanted a job and to be able to earn good money.
What is your favourite part of the job?
As Survey Team Leader I enjoy travelling around and going to different places.
What is it like living in remote camps?
It can be challenging, especially in rainy season. We usually camp in villages, but sometimes this is hard as the locals may not want us to use their facilities so we must camp outside of the village.
What’s it like living away from your family?
It is difficult, but we made the decision together as a family. We have a caretaker living at home to help whilst I am away, and if I need to go home, I can take time off.
What do other women think of you doing this job?
In the village they are happy to see that I have a chance to work. Many women don’t have the same opportunity and are working as farmers. The other women at work feel the same as I do.
What are your ambitions for the future?
In work, I want to do the best I can and I want to stay working with HALO.
In life, I want to save money to build a house in Vilabouly District.
What opportunities has your job given you or your family?
Since I started working, I have been saving money to buy a house. I have been saving for almost 4 years but it is hard because every time I have enough money, I have to pay for medical treatment for my mother. I want to start building my house in 2019.
If you could ask a fellow female deminer from around the world one question, what would it be?
I would want to ask so many things! For example, do their programmes work in the same way as we do in Laos?
