Ms. Manichanh Bouthaphanh is 23 years old and comes from the Southern Province of Savannakhet. When FSD started working in her province she applied with the organization to become a deminer. She had just finished agricultural school but had not yet found a job. Manichanh participated in a three week training course and was soon working as a deminer with FSD.

Over the next 4 years Manichanh developed her skills as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician through training courses run by FSD and is now a Level 3 EOD technician. Manichanh says she and her family are happy that she has found work and can help her family and the community by making their lives safer.

In 2010 Manichanh and other Level 3 EOD technicians will participate in an EOD Level 4 training course run by FSD on behalf of the UXO Sector. As a Level 4 she will join a select band of Senior EOD technicians, Lao and international, qualified to defuse bombs, manage large-scale clearance operations and formulate and apply innovative solutions to complex technical problems. FSD is committed to building the capacity of Lao people to empower them to become agents of change in their own communities.