Fields of Terror Must Be Plowed, by Heidi Kuhn

Marin Independant Journal

July 19, 2005

   As the seeds of terror were detonated last Thursday in London, we were simultaneously detonating seeds of terror from the soils of Huambo so that innocent footsteps would not be lost to indiscriminate landmines.  Two blasts, two different intentions.

  Ironically, the city of Huambo, Angola is the site where the late Princess Diana took her final footsteps to raise global awareness regarding the eradication of these seeds of destruction.  Two worlds came together as the British-based HALO Trust escorted us into the minefields on 07/07, where the landscape is pastoral “seventh heaven” tempting a starving African farmer to encroach upon the soil to feed his family.  We walked in faith as parents—not diplomats or royalty--to continue to bring light to the silent seeds of terror lurking in the soils.

   As worldwide media focused on Africa at risk, the issue of landmines deserves to be amplified with the backdrop of the LIVE 8 Concert and the G8 Summit.  Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries on the most heavily mined continent in the world, and a (Gr8) great solution would be to eradicate landmines so that viable agricultural seeds may be planted allowing African farmers the dignity to stand on their own two feet without the fear of losing a limb.  Unlike AIDS, malaria, or other challenges, there is a cure—removal!

    The central highlands of Angola have the agricultural potential to satisfy the national demand for basic foodstuffs, provide a major surplus for export and bring rapid growth in incomes for rural populations. Few countries in sub-Sahara Africa have the potential to drastically reduce poverty by demining and replanting.  Prior to independence in 1975, Angola possessed a healthy and productive agricultural sector that was capable not only of feeding the country’s population, but also providing large surpluses of both food and cash crops for export to all of Africa.  Just imagine--bananas, pineapples, strawberries and avocados flourishing on former minefields!

   Another viable solution for alleviating African poverty is to provide eco-tourism.  Currently, there are 135,000 elephants trapped in Northern Botswana by landmines.

The removal of landmines along the Kwando River will allow these giant footsteps to walk along ancient elephant migration routes leading through Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

    Just as mankind took his first footsteps on the soils of Africa, we must return to our roots by allowing safe pathways for humans and animals to walk without fear of thunder in the ground.  Courageous footsteps are needed, as we win the war on terror—one field at a time.