34-year-old Kateryna Vechkanova is a deminer with HALO Ukraine and has been with the team for over two years. She is originally from Kostyantynivka and previously worked at a shoe factory and a meat processing plant.
She began her work in humanitarian demining in the Brovary district and now works in the Chernihiv region. She joined HALO on the advice of her cousin, who also works as a deminer. Kateryna says that physical work has its advantages. She most enjoys working in the forest, where there is peace, fresh air, and a sense of living nature.
She recalls how her hands trembled during her first shift because she was afraid of doing something wrong. "It's better to call your supervisor ten times than to risk your safety. That's what we were taught: if you have doubts, stop and follow the procedure," says the deminer.
During her time on the job, Kateryna has found anti-personnel and signal mines, tripwires, and ammunition components. She says that the true skill of a deminer is staying calm when danger is nearby.
"We often work near places where people used to walk with their children before the war. I am also a mother, and I really want to give us all back that opportunity — to walk in the forest, breathe, and enjoy life without fear. And we are moving forward toward that dream," says Kateryna.
Based on materials from The HALO Trust Ukraine