Vietnam & Cambodia

During the 2004 LSN trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, each of the travelers had the opportunity to meet dozens of landmine survivors. What struck me about the survivors was their willingness to face life with hope and resilience despite their tragedies. While traveling, I learned that many survivors in this part of the world are shunned by their families and communities. Landmine survivors are faced with the challenge of proving that they can be productive members of society and overcoming the prejudices they face.

According to LSN’s website, “Over 80% of landmine victims are civilians, of which nearly one-third are women and children.” In Vietnam I met a woman who had lost her leg when she was a child. She picked up an unexploded mine while playing outdoors. Her family refused to provide her with the medical attention she needed. Her status in the family was reduced to that of a servant. With the help of a landmine survivor from LSN she has received emotional counseling for depression. She has acquired pigs to raise and sell. Today she has the confidence to be a respected member of society.

Awareness is the key to mobilizing support for landmine survivors. Today, up to 400,000 people worldwide are living with landmine-related injuries. This number continues to grow as 18,000 landmines harm or kill addition victims each year.