January 28, 2008

The truth about landmines and a story of hope in Cambodia

Every year thousands of civilians, mostly children, are maimed or killed by mines left from wars of recent or distant past. There are an estimated 70 to 80 million of these deadly devices scattered around the world. Cambodia, where mines have cast a shadow of fear over many lives for years, has the highest number of landmine amputees in the world.

Clearing the mines hidden within a village can have a truly transforming effect on the community inhabiting it, consider the efforts several years ago of the people of a United Church congregation in Powell River, British Columbia.

In 2001, the Cambodian village of O'Chrey was a depressing place where children were in constant danger when they played outside, without a school that could offer the prospects of a brighter future. In the midst of mines only a few crops of corn could be grown, and a bamboo platform serving as a shop represented the discouraging extent of economic activity. Without a viable market of their own, and low prices offered in Thailand being one of the few possible sources of income, gave the residents little hope of prosperity.

Since then the change in the village, with a current population of over 700, is dramatically visible. With the fear of stepping on a mine now only a memory, a newfound vitality of life as a result of the unimaginable relief is readily noticed. A multitude of shops has replaced the lone bamboo platform, along with new villages that have appeared near by, providing the markets for a thriving new selection of crops. Cell phones can be seen in the hands of villagers. The children, for whom an education would have been just a fantasy, now have a school to go to, bringing with it a sense of optimism, and at the end of each day, they can play outside knowing that they are safe. An undeniably remarkable success of de-mining in a place where just ten years ago Khmer Rouge soldiers still roamed.

If reading this success story made you feel inspired, please consider joining an on-going Adopt A Minefield In Cambodia campaign.

References:

"Where once there were mines" by Joyce Carlson, an article that appeared in the June 1, 2005 issue of The Powell River Peak.