Alberto Jorge Zacaris is 30 years old and the father of two
children. He is from the Imhambane Province, situated in the southern part of Mozambique. He now works as an APOPO rat trainer on demining missions in Mozambique.

Alberto (right) with his colleague Egidio (left) and Santola the HeroRATHe began working in the demining field over 10 years ago, initially as surveyer with NPA (Norwegians People Aid), then as a dog trainer and a manual deminer with NPA, and now as a rat trainer for APOPO. Alberto is a well-experienced animal trainer and deminer. He demines to support his family, and to help Mozambique become a stronger country, socially and economically.

He was 12 when the civil war that devastated Mozambique’s stability, economy,and infrastructure began. He is the eldest son, and therefore responsible for the care of his younger siblings since his parents have both passed. He began working instead of going to university to ensure his siblings would be able to complete their education. However, he managed to complete his university coursework online and received a degree in Business Management and Administration. He has been a part of APOPO’s demining engagements in Mozambique for the past 2 years and his story is featured in our next newsletter.