At APOPO’s training center in Morogoro, Tanzania, HeroRAT trainer Happy spends her days training African giant pouched rats to detect landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Using clicker training and positive reinforcement, she helps prepare the animals for work that supports mine clearance operations in countries affected by conflict.
Her career took an unexpected turn. Before joining APOPO in 2021, Happy worked as a banking and mobile money agent in Tanzania. Today, she trains animals whose work helps make land safe again.
Soon, her work will take her even further. After a competitive internal selection process, Happy has been chosen for a new role supporting mine detection rat teams in Cambodia. The move is a major step in her career and a chance to share her experience with colleagues in another country.
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026, Happy’s story shows how dedication, opportunity, and confidence can open unexpected doors.
Discovering a Different Kind of Career
Happy did not always imagine herself working with rats. “I have always been interested in animal training,” she says. “When I first heard that rats could be trained to do important work, I became very curious and wanted to learn more.”
Once she joined APOPO, she quickly discovered how much she enjoyed the work. “After joining APOPO and learning how the rats work, I became very happy to train them. Now I really enjoy working with them and I love my job.”
Growing Through the Work
Since joining APOPO, Happy says the role has helped her grow both professionally and personally. “Professionally, I have learned many new skills. I learned how to train rats using clicker training and positive reinforcement, how to understand their behaviour, and how to care for their health and welfare.” She also talks about how her career has changed. “After joining APOPO, I found work that I enjoy. I feel proud to be part of this team and to do work that helps save lives.”
An Opportunity in a New Country
Late last year, APOPO opened an internal recruitment process for an international position supporting mine detection rat teams in Cambodia. Experienced trainers were invited to apply, and candidates went through a structured selection process designed to evaluate their technical knowledge, communication skills, and leadership potential. Happy decided to apply.
“At the end of last year, APOPO announced an opportunity for trainers to apply for a position as a technical advisor in Cambodia,” she says. “I thought it was very interesting, so I decided to apply.”
The position involves supporting the performance of mine detection rat teams, helping guide training sessions, and ensuring the health and welfare of the animals working in operations.
When the results were announced, Happy had been selected. “I was very happy when I heard that I had been selected to go. It is a big opportunity for me, and I am grateful for it,” she says.
Preparing for a New Chapter
The move to Cambodia will be a significant step. Happy will be working in a new environment and collaborating with teams clearing land contaminated with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
“I felt very happy and proud,” she says. “It is a big step for me. I am also a little nervous because it will be a new country and a new environment, but I am excited to learn new things and work with new colleagues.”
She is particularly looking forward to the opportunity to experience a new environment and new people. “I am excited to experience a new environment and meet new people. I know I will also learn many new skills while working there.”
At the same time, she expects the transition to bring new challenges. “The biggest adjustments will probably be the language and the culture, because things will be different from Tanzania,” she says. Another major change will be the operational environment. “Here in Tanzania we train the rats in a safe environment, but in Cambodia I will be working in real operational areas, so I will need to learn how to work safely in that environment.”
Building Confidence
For Happy, being selected for the role is also a moment of personal reflection. “When I applied for this opportunity, I was not sure if I would be selected because there are many good trainers here,” she says. Being chosen made a difference. “But when I found out that I had been chosen, it helped build my confidence. It showed me that people believe in my abilities and that I can do this work well.”
Looking back, she says the opportunity is something she would not have imagined just a few years ago. “There was a time when I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to go to Cambodia and work on real minefields. It is something I am very proud of.”
Encouraging Other Women to Take Chances
As Happy prepares for this next chapter, she hopes her experience might inspire others to take chances when opportunities arise. “I would encourage them to believe in themselves and not be afraid to try new opportunities,” Happy says. “If you work hard and trust your abilities, you can achieve things you might not have imagined before.”