Thursday, April 3, 2008

Dong Hoi, Bo Trach District


LSN operates seven network offices in Ethiopia, Jordan, Mozambique, El Salvador, Columbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Vietnam. At the office in Dong Hoi, which serves Vietnam we had the opportunity to meet with the extraordinary staff who provide a full range of services to landmine survivors. Theses services include counseling, medical care, economic aid, and job training. In countries like Vietnam this aid can take the form as something as simple as the grant of a cow or a pig, which in turn enables the survivor to achieve economic independence and regain self-confidence.


Following the meeting with the LSN staff, we met with four landmine survivors in their homes. What struck me most was the range of attitudes of the survivors. Some were still struggling with their loss of self-esteem, independence, and place in society. While other survivors had worked with LSN staff to regain their sense of confidence and their capacity to live a full meaningful life.



I remember visiting one family in particular. The father suffered lost his leg to a landmine when he was younger. As a landmine survivor he had a hard time making a living and supporting his family. With the help of LSN had returned to his place as head of the house hold, loving parent, and contributing member of society.


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