Unexploded Ordinance in Laos, February 2014

Unexploded Ordinance in Laos, February 2014

The legacy of war left to the people of Laos.  Forty years later, those not ever involved in the wars are living with the aftermath of being the most heavily bombed country in the world.  Bombing missions were carried out over Laos every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day for nine years.  More bombs were dropped in Laos than in all of Europe during WWII.

Cluster bombs were dropped, filled with these bombies that exploded into many pieces.  

Traditional Laos homes have at least 3 steps up to the house.  The steps are always in odd numbers, even numbers are thought to be unlucky.  Often the livestock live underneath the home.  When limbs are lost and wheelchairs are needed, it is difficult to access the wheelchair independently from the top of the stairs.  

Educating the villagers about what to do and what not to when encountering these bombs is a key component of increasing the safety of life in the villages.  However, these people are poor.  They have discovered the metal to be worth money, and often they don't see beyond the immediate need for food.

Many teams are trained in the removal of the uxo devices.  However, it is slow and tense work.  There are also often roadblocks by the villagers who want to sell the metal.  Elders who have lived through the bombings, don't want to relive the experiences and sometimes make it difficult to clear the villages for the safe removal of the bombs.  

COPE is a non-profit organization providing prosthetic, orthotic, and rehabilitation services to the people of Laos.  These services are free of charge to those unable to pay for them.  

Wheelchairs have been designed to travel on the country terrain.

Most victims do not survive the explosions.  Hospital facilities in the country are not good to begin with, and transportation to a facility is often not possible.  One story we read was about a young man who was only 16 km away from a hospital that could have helped him.  It was the rainy season and it took a week to get him to help.  By then, his leg was lost.  

Prosthetic limbs change the lives of those who have survived an explosion.  

There are many steps involved in receiving a prosthetic limb. 

These are life changing for the victims who often are left in their small huts, and don't ever leave.  They are once again given independence to contribute to their village and live a better life.  

Santar, 13 years old was housebound for over two years following a traffic accident in a remote part of northern Laos.  Surgery that saved his life left him with one leg missing and the other badly healed resulting in him unable to walk or even stand.  When COPE staff heard about this while on a field trip, they went to visit him.  They found him depressed and withdrawn inside his family home.  He agreed to go with the COPE staff on a 24 hour journey for treatment.  His left foot was corrected and his right, fit for a prosthetic leg.  Physiotherapy and the dream of returning to school helped this courageous boy push on.  He is now studying English, enjoys cooking, swimming, computing and is currently at the top of his class.  He is now optimistic about his future.  He will continue to need physiotherapy and replacement limbs as he grows.  People have access to what COPE has to offer until they no longer need it.  

While we were visiting, a group of hearing impaired students came in.  They were instantly attached to Jim.  I stood and watched as they spoke to each other with enthusiasm, without words.  When you want to interact, there are no barriers, least of which is not knowing a language.  There is little impossible to Jim.

"Small Acts make a Big Difference".  Jim took the time to send out a short email requesting donations.  Thanks to all of you who answered, we were able to purchase 12 legs for those in need.  We were overwhelmed, and so touched by your compassion and caring for people you have never met.  The young woman at the COPE Centre could not believe it when we returned today to leave the money.  You have all made a huge difference in the quality of life of someone who is just an innocent victim of war.  Our hope is to receive information as their story unfolds.  

The Legacy of War…history, healing and hope.