Landmine Labyrinth - A Teaching Activity by laurie delgatto

Landmine Labyrinth

In t his a c t iv it y, the participants explore the

effects of landmines. t i m e r e q u i r e d : 3 0 to 4 0 m i n u t e s

M at er ial s N eed ed

i n t e n d e d fo r g r a d e s 9 - 1 2

» copies of the resource titled “Landmine Labyrinth Game Board” found on page 4 (printed on card stock, if possible), one for each small group of four or five » copies of resource 6, “Landmine Labyrinth Cards” found on page 5 (printed on card stock, if possible, and cut apart as scored), enough for each small group of four or five to have one set of cards » copies of resource 7, “Landmine Limbs,” found on page 6 (printed on card stock, if possible, and cut apart as scored), enough for each small group of four or five to have one set of cards » coins (or some other object that can be used as game pieces), one for each participant » dice, one die for each small group of four or five

Activity Steps B e gin b y n o t ing t he fo llo wing:

» Most Americans are not likely to experience the daily terror of living in an area sown with landmines. Yet for millions of people throughout the world, losing a limb, their lives, or their livelihood to undetected plastic explosives is a daily reality—a reality that lasts years after the landmines have been planted. » Landmines are weapons that explode when disturbed or when physical pressure is placed on them. » Landmines are typically planted a few inches below the surface of the ground; the mere pressure of a human foot on the area where the mine is buried causes it to explode.

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» Usually a tripwire is attached from the prong to either another mine or an object like a tree. Disturbing the wire will trigger the mine to explode. Typically cylindrical in shape and roughly the size of a two-pound bag of sugar, landmines can kill or injure a number of people in an instant. » Although millions of mines have been removed from former conflict areas, landmines still injure or kill about 15,000 to 20,000 people every year. » 80 percent of landmine victims are civilians; one-third of these are children. People are often maimed while cultivating their land, tending their cattle, or fetching water from a well. » More than 80 countries are affected to some degree by landmines and undetonated bombs. » Landmines cannot discriminate between adult and child, soldier and civilian.

» During this activity, we will explore what it might be like to live in an area with landmines.

Div id e t he l a r ge gr o up into small groups of four or five. Provide each small group with

a game board, the two sets of cards, coins (or other objects you selected for game pieces), and a die. Then share the following game instructions: » As you can see on the game board, there are several paths a player can take. It is up to you to determine your path from start to finish. » Roll the die to move your game piece, and then simply follow the instructions noted in the space where you land. » If you land in the hospital, you must collect an “artificial limb,” which will be deducted from your score at the end of the game. » The game is complete when everyone in your group has reached the finish line. » The first player to finish will receive 25 points. Everyone else will receive 10 points.

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» If you have any artificial limb cards at the end, you will need to deduct five points for each card.

B e s ur e e v e ry o ne understands the rules of the game. Answer any questions the participants

might have. Then invite the small groups to begin the game. W h e n a l l t h e s ma ll gr o ups have finished the game, gather everyone back into the large group for a discussion. Use the following questions: » What did you learn from playing the game?

» For those of you who stepped on a landmine, how did you feel? » Imagine you are a deminer—that is, someone who is trained to deactivate mines. What might be your fears? your hopes? » Imagine you are a 12-year-old child living in a mined area, and you need to gather bamboo shoots to sell in the market. Your family needs the income to buy food. Describe your hopes and fears. PA G E 2 O F 7

E xp l a in t hat there is an international campaign to ban landmines. Ask the participants why

this campaign might exist. If there were a campaign to ban any weapon, why might landmines be chosen as the focus? Allow for a few responses, and then share the following: » A major breakthrough in the campaign against these deadly weapons was the signing in 1997 of the Ottawa Convention, which outlaws stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. » As of 2008, 156 countries are party to the Mine Ban Treaty. Countries that have not signed the convention include China, Russia, and the United States. » For as long as landmines exist anywhere, important work must be done to protect communities and assist survivors. » The best way to help people in countries that have a lot of landmines is to stop them from getting hurt in the first place. » Four approaches are needed to deal with landmines:

» training local people in how to avoid being injured by landmines.

» removing landmines.

» putting pressure on governments to ban the making and use of all landmines in future.

» providing medical care and rehabilitation for people who have been affected by landmines.

A s k t he pa rt ic ipa nt s to think about what they might do to impact the issues of

landmines. Here are a few suggestions to get them started: » Let others know about the damage done by landmines. Perhaps you might even plant paper landmines down the corridors of your school, office, or church, and then perform a short skit or distribute information drawing attention to landmine victims. » Write a letter to your federal representatives, encouraging them to urge the United States government to do all it can to remove the curse of landmines. Write also to embassies of non-signatory countries, urging them to accede to the treaty.

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LandMine Labyrinth

Start Take a card.

Mine!

Safe Spot

You have learned about safe paths. Move ahead one space.

Take a shortcut. Take a card.

Safe Spot Take a shortcut.

Start again.

Take a card. Take a shortcut.

There are mines in your mango A mine explodes grove. You lose 25 feet away. Flying your source of debris injures you. nutrition and Go to the hospital. income. Lose a turn.

Mine! Start again.

Take a card. Take a card.

Take a card. You walk on wellworn paths. Move ahead one space.

Safe Spot Mine! Start again.

United Nation deminers have been in your area for six months. Move ahead one space.

Your family loses its only ox to a mine. Move back one space.

You walk on wellworn paths. Move ahead one space.

HOSPITAL

Lose one turn, Collect two “artificial limbs.” Leave hospital via “safe spot” on either path.

Safe Spot Mine!

Take a shortcut.

Start again.

Take a card.

A mine blows off your foot. Because it takes five hours to reach the hospital, infection sets in. Your leg is amputated below the knee. Stay at the hospital.

Take a card.

Mine!

Start again.

Safe Spot

take a

Safe Spot

c ard

Your field was mined by guerillas. You can’t plant crops. Move back two spaces.

The best firewood area was mined last week. Move back one space.

Take a card.

FINISH

score and cut

LandMine Labyrinth cards

Government soldiers mined village fields last week. Move back four spaces.

A nearby mine explosion injures you. Eventually you recover. Lose a turn.

Your friend has stepped on a mine. Three hours later, he arrives at the hospital. One arm and one leg are amputated. Move back four spaces.

Your best friend moves away to live with relatives after her parents die in a mine explosion. Move back two spaces.

The area where you once gathered bamboo shoots was mined four months ago. You lose income from loss of sales of bamboo shoots at the market. Move back one space.

In two days, mines are removed from an area with mango trees. Food and income will be increased. Move ahead three spaces.

You’ve heard a rumor that a neighboring field has been mined. You watch for signs. Stay on well-worn paths. Move ahead one space.

Your school has been closed for the past two years because of mines on the premises. Lose a turn.

You’ve set off a mine and have lost your foot. Move back two spaces.

War continues. Reuniting with your mother is difficult. She has no proper identification to visit you and your sister. She has to travel along rural back roads where there are many mines. Lose a turn.

The war is over, and you and your family return to your village. Over the next three months, ninety-one villagers step on land mines. Move back four spaces.

There is a cease-fire. United Nations troops clear roads. You are reunited with your mother. Move ahead two spaces.

No mines here. Watch out as you head out into less familiar territory.

Your only cow is loose. It is grazing in a suspect area. Lose a turn.

You forget which paths are safe to take. Move back two spaces.

You have lost your legs and become an extra burden on your family. Your brother must leave school to work. Lose a turn.

Your father has lost a foot and his sight. Move back three spaces.

You see a skull and crossbones sign marking existing mines. You do not leave your path. Move ahead one space.

For two years, your parents have not been able to work the fields because the fields are mined. Presently your father works in a town far away and returns home once a month. You stay behind with your mother and three brothers. Lose a turn.

Your school reopens after the area has been demined. Move ahead two spaces.

You are safe this time. Watch your step!

You are fitted with an artificial limb several months after your leg stump heals. You’re lucky that you live near a rehabilitation center. Lose a turn.

Photocopy and cut out one set of “artificial limbs” for each “Land Mines Labrinth” being played. Place cards beside game boards.

About World Vision W o rld V i s i o n i s a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to helping children and their families break free from poverty. Our work is motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring nearly sixty years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. W o rld V i s i o n R es o u r c e s educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to social justice, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world. By developing biblically-based materials for educators and ministry leaders on the causes and consequences of global poverty, World Vision Resources supports the organizational mandate to move the church in the United States to more fully embrace its biblical responsibility to serve the poor.

For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources www.worldvision.org wvresources@worldvision.org

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