My name is Nika. I have worked with MAG in Ukraine since 2023 and lead a demining team, but I never imagined this would be my path. 

Before the war, my life was very different. I had never even heard of demining. I lived abroad and worked in the diving and tourism industries. I traveled the world, enjoyed life and everything it had to offer.  

In early 2022, I moved back to Ukraine. I was looking forward to being home and spending more time with my family.  

But just two months later, war broke out. 

Today, I lead a team of 11 men and women, who, every day, clear deadly explosives from the land. 

This is what war does to ordinary people. Families are torn apart, lives and livelihoods are lost. They face countless risks every day. 

But I want to be clear - despite all we have endured, we are not broken.