Weapons and war

• Cluster Munitions: What Are they?
• Landmines - Survive the Peace
• Four Step Solution
• Survivor Stories
• Explosive Remnants of War
• Ottawa Treaty
• Clearance
• Victim and Survivor Assistance
• Risk Reduction
• Get to the Market

Get to the Market

This is a 10-minute activity, which is suitable for all ages. Although it is not a full-blown physical simulation of a mine-affected community, it can help to convey at least a sense of the difficulties and dangers posed by landmines. 

The following document contains 2 images. The first one is of a village map, and the second image is some randomly placed landmines. Photocopy this document so that it is double sided, and hand it out with the map-side up. Instruct participants not to turn the page over. Tell them that they live in a heavily-mined village, but that they have no choice but to go about their normal lives. The object of this exercise is to first draw a walking route in marker from the house to the market. From there the participants should try to reach another destination of their choice and arrive back home. When they have all completed the activity, tell them to hold their maps up to the light. The mines on the other side of the page should shine through. If their paths crossed a mine at any point it means that they have detonated that mine and have been killed or maimed.

Suggested discussion questions for this activity:

1. Who made it through the village safely? (stand up)
2. Why were you successful in avoiding the landmines?
3. Why was it hard to avoid them?
4. How much of your success came down to luck and chance?
5. How would your daily lives have to change if your neighborhood was mined?
6. What risks would you come to accept as just being part of your daily life?
7. Who stepped on a mine?
8. What do you think would happen to your family in the short-term? Long-term?
9. What are some ways we might be able to stop these injuries from happening?

Posted: August 29, 2008