During a recent trip to Cambodia, Andrew and Sarah, had the privilege of visiting APOPO's operations in action. Witnessing firsthand the impact of their work on the communities affected by landmines was an eye-opening experience. Seeing how APOPO's HeroRATs are deployed to detect and clear landmines, as well as diagnose tuberculosis, highlighted the tangible difference their efforts make in saving lives and restoring livelihoods. It was this encounter that inspired us to get involved and support their cause.

By clearing these mines, it makes the land safer and allows farmers to return and use the valuable land to plant more crops, which in turn feeds and gives work to the local community. The knock-on effect of who is positively impacted is staggering. It really is changing lives for the better.

APOPO's HeroRATs, also known as African giant pouched rats, are not your ordinary rodents. These highly trained animals are capable of detecting the scent of explosives and tuberculosis in human sputum with remarkable accuracy, and speed, making them indispensable allies in humanitarian efforts.

And no, the rats are not cannon fodder. It’s their sense of smell that is used. They have not lost a rat to explosions yet…

To put this into a perspective a rat can clear a piece of land the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes, yet this would take a human with a metal detector 3 days. Now the rate of pace of clearing mines and ordnance in Cambodia and other parts of the world has massively increased, making the world that little bit safer, much quicker.