Why???

One of the questions I get asked the most is why, why do I do the job I do? Why do I spend year after year away in far away countries like Ethiopia and Afghanistan? There are many reasons.

When I first heard of the job, I immediately thought of the adventure, the travels to far off lands, places not too many people get to visit. And the enticement of the money was too much. So adventures, travels and money…off I went!

When I first came overseas I was a demining technical advisor. My job was to teach countries how to establish a self-sustaining mine action program, from establishing the building to evaluating the deminers in the field and final certification as deminers. I liked my job but it was all about one thing: Money! The money was good, very good. But as the years went along and I got more experience (got older), I started seeing the effects of landmines. These objects of destruction attack indiscriminately. I started seeing little girls missing arms because they picked up a nice little object in field to make a toy to play with; little boys with no legs because they were playing soccer in a field; old men with no eyes because they were planting vegetables to feed their families.

As a former military man, I recognize that landmines are a hazard of my previous profession; however, these people are innocent, they are just innocent victims of conflicts they had nothing to do with. Especially children, they get penalized for the actions of adults, it is just not fair.

I was truly blessed to work with good people. I had mentors that taught me that even though it is about the money, we must truly believe in our work in order to do a good job and have an impact in our projects. It is a really important job that needs to get done. We need to get rid of landmines in the world for ever.

Being overseas is difficult, very difficult. The money is enticing, yes, but it is not for everyone. The families take a toll, and personally speaking not everyone has the mental strength to be out here year after year after year. I have seen the best deminers quit after just a few months out here. It gets lonely at times, and psychologically it can take its toll.

What would happen if no one would do my job? Innocent kids will continue to die or lose limbs; families will continue to go hungry because their land is seeded with mines; and old men will continue to suffer in their old age instead of enjoying their “golden years”. Why am I here? The job needs to get done. I believe in my work.