Rashiwe Hwide, aged 40 was recruited by HALO in 2016 from her community in Rushinga District. She began as a deminer, determined to build a stable future for her family while helping to make the land safe and over time, her commitment and skill earned her promotion to team leader. In this role, she supervised clearance operations, supported her team in the field and inspired other women to see mine action as a path to empowerment.

In 2026 she faced one of her greatest challenges yet, reduced funding forced HALO to make redundancies and Rashiwe faced the real possibility of losing her job. For her, this was not just about income it meant the risk of losing the security she had worked hard to provide for her family and the progress her community had made.

In Frame: Rashiwe Hwide, HALO Team Leader

Thanks to her experience and leadership Rashiwe was retained as a team leader for the UNDP-supported team. This allowed her to continue supporting her family and to keep leading clearance operations that directly improve community safety and access to farmland. Reflecting on her journey, Rashiwe says:

 “This work has changed my life. I now have skills, confidence and the chance to support my family.”

Her story shows the impact of sustained investment in mine action. Families can farm safely, children can play without fear and communities can thrive. Thanks to the support of UNDP and the Embassy of Japan, HALO has been able to retain skilled leaders like Rashiwe and continue clearance operations. Ongoing donor commitment will ensure that more communities across Zimbabwe are freed from the threat of landmines and can look forward to a safer, more secure future.