Aki Ra

Former child soldier turned demining activist, clearing over 50,000 landmines in Cambodia and founding the Landmine Museum

Aki Ra (b.1970) transformed from Khmer Rouge child soldier to Cambodia's most prolific deminer through extraordinary personal reinvention:

• Personally cleared 50,000+ mines using homemade tools
• Established Cambodia Landmine Museum (1997)
• Provided education for mine victims' children
• Pioneered 'community-based demining' model

Despite international criticism of his methods, Aki Ra's grassroots approach has made tangible impacts where bureaucratic programs failed, proving that local knowledge matters in humanitarian work.