One of APOPO’s First Female Deminers in Angola
On International Women’s Day, we recognize the women working in demanding, high-stakes roles to make their communities safer. Demining requires patience, intelligence, and discipline, and in Angola, women like Yolanda are leading the way in clearing landmines and reclaiming safe land for families, farmers, and future generations.
Yolanda, from Angola’s Uíge province, has been working as a deminer with APOPO since 2018. She first applied to train with INAD (Instituto Nacional de Desminagem) in 2011, but the opportunity was canceled. Still, she never gave up. Later, she heard that APOPO was recruiting and quickly submitted her documents. Within 24 hours, she was called for an interview, and after rigorous training, she began her career in demining.
What follows is Yolanda’s story, in her own words. On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate her and the many other women like her making the world safer through their skill, dedication, and expertise:
A Day in the Life of a Deminer
Every morning, I wake up at 5:00 AM, prepare my breakfast, and get ready for the day. Before stepping into the field, I go to the calibration area to check my detector and tools are working correctly. This is crucial — if the equipment is not working properly, the risk increases. Once I confirm everything is functional, I head to the minefield.
Inside the field, I start with a visual inspection. This means scanning the area carefully with my eyes, checking for any signs of tripwires or disturbed ground. If I don’t see anything suspicious, I begin the manual inspection, which involves raking my fingers through the grass and brush on the ground. This step ensures there are no hidden obstacles before I move forward.
After the initial inspection, I mark the area I will clear and begin cutting vegetation. Clearing away overgrowth allows me to use my detector properly. I sweep the ground carefully, and if my detector signals a possible mine, I stop immediately.
If I receive a signal, I begin careful excavation. I dig slowly, following strict safety procedures. We work with specific measurements: scraping away horizontally from a distance of 20 to 40 centimeters at a time, ensuring that we don’t accidentally trigger anything buried in the soil. If I confirm a landmine, I stop and call my supervisor, who then assesses the situation and determines the next step.
If I find nothing, or just some scrap metal, I move on to the next small area and start the process all over again.
Finding My First Mine
The first time I found a mine, I wasn’t afraid. In training, I had already learned what to expect. Still, when I uncovered it, I felt something strange in my stomach — like a nervous excitement. But I reminded myself: this is my job, and I was trained to handle it.
That day, I followed protocol exactly as I had learned. I marked the mine’s location, called my supervisor, and waited for further instructions. With time, the process became routine, and I gained confidence in my work.
The Challenges of the Job
Demining is exhausting, both physically and mentally. We work under extreme heat, often in areas with no shade. The sun is relentless, and some days, the temperature feels unbearable. Sometimes, I feel lightheaded, but I know I have to stay focused because every movement must be precise.
We also spend long periods away from home, living in the camp for 30 days at a time and only returning for a short break. It is not easy to be away from family, but this is part of the job.
Being a Woman in Demining
When I started, some people were surprised. They expected women to be cooks or housekeepers, not mine-clearers. But I never let that stop me. I was one of the first women to work as a deminer with APOPO in Angola, and instead of facing resistance, I was supported and encouraged.
My family and friends were initially skeptical, but when they saw how serious I was about my work, they gave me even more courage to continue.
A Message to Other Women
To any woman considering this job, I say: have courage. Demining is not as complicated as people think. The key is to learn, practice patience, and follow safety procedures. If you do that, you will succeed. I believe that more women should consider working in this field. There is nothing stopping us from being excellent at it.
Why I Do This Work
This job has changed my life. I have been able to support my family and provide for my daughters’ education. But beyond that, I know that what I do makes a difference. Every mine I help remove means one less danger in someone’s backyard, one less threat to a child playing, and one more piece of land made safe for a community.
I will continue to do this work, following the training I received, staying disciplined, and ensuring that every mine I find is handled safely. Angola still has many mines left to clear, and as long as they are there, I will keep working.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
APOPO, we are proud to employ incredible women who not only drive our mission forward but also challenge traditional stereotypes, becoming powerful voices for change in their communities.
This International Women’s Day (#IWD2025), stand with us in celebrating their impact.
Support APOPO in honor of IWD 2025.
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