No many people know much about the profound effects that landmines and unexploded ordnance have on villages and communities thousands of miles away. It is the poorest of the poor who must live in and around minefields and these people are literally farming, grazing their livestock and gathering firewood in known minefields. They do this out of necessity because the alternative would be to allow their families to starve.

The post clearance agricultural projects that the Humpty Dumpty Institute has undertaken on HALO-cleared ground illustrate perfectly the amazing things that can take place once landmines have been removed from the ground. Entire communities in Sri Lanka and Angola have been transformed thanks our partnership.

The HDI Landmine Education Tour is a wonderful opportunity to educate the general public about landmine action. When I speak to groups of people, student in particular, about this issue I hope that truly appreciate that they live in a country that is not affected by the debris of war and that they consider that for many children walking to school or playing soccer is a risky endeavor.

The Landmine Education Tour is also a great way to encourage individuals to support the important work that HDI, HALO and other agencies are undertaking around the world. Landmines are a finite problem. Once they are destroyed, they do not return. I am confident that this problem will be solved in my lifetime but it will a significant increase in resources to get the job done as quickly as possible. 

Kurt Chesko

The HALO Trust (USA) Inc.   220 Montgomery Street, Suite 968, San Francisco , CA 94104

I would like to thank The Humpty Dumpty Institute for letting me join the Congressional Staff Delegates trip to Haiti on April 16, 2010. The trip was informational, inspirational, well organized, and everyone seemed to learn a great deal. I think HDI deserves a lot of credit for putting this trip together. I especially appreciated the professionalism of Capera Clement, HDI’s Program Manager for US/UN Relations.

Although we are all aware that Port-au-Prince was badly damaged by the massive earthquake this year, I went to Haiti to learn how bad the damage is and to see it with my own eyes. I also wanted to witness the recovery activities that so many countries and people are participating in to help this country with compassion and love.

Everyone should know that the U.S. government and the U.S. people are working hard to assist this country to rebuild. First aid supplies, food, medical professionals, security, transportation, schools – all is being provided by someone in the United States. This is something all Americans should be proud of.

Additionally, the United Nations is doing a remarkable job of coordinating the aid that is coming from so many different countries to help the victims of Haiti in so many different ways. The work the U.N. is doing is something that all of us should be proud of.

After visiting Haiti, I realize what a tremendously tough job this is going to be. Everything in Haiti is damaged. And the worst thing is that before the rebuilding can begin, the old damaged structures need to be removed. The amount of rubble and debris is, well, I’m not sure of the English words, but maybe depressing and discouraging gives you the idea. I don’t know how they are going to get it done, but I do know they need our help.

Why did this happen to Haiti? I don’t know. But I do know that the damage is not just to buildings and roads. The damage is also to the Haitian people. The despair and fear in the children’s eyes is something we can’t ignore.

Haiti needs our help. Haiti needs our compassion.

Reverend Hong

Buddha’s Light International Association

http://www.bliahq.org

(To see more of Rev. Hong Haiti's photos, click here)