| Freeing Land and People in Laos from the Explosive Remains of the Vietnam War  |
 Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in the history of the world. During the Vietnam War, the United States dropped 270 million bombs on this tiny, impoverished country, targeting the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Thirty percent failed to detonate. Eighty million are still there, waiting to fulfill their mission of killing…in farms, villages, and schoolyards across Laos. (The area marked in red is the area of greatest concern.)
The Restoration Laos team clears land in Khammouane Province on the Laos–Vietnam border, where the Ho Chi Minh Trail crossed into Laos from Vietnam. The result is that children can play, and farmers can plant, without fear of sudden violent death. Mine Action Team 53 is an all–female team of bomb technicians, formerly sponsored by the United Kingdom, which would have been disbanded without Restoration Laos sponsorship. Restoration Laos now fully funds this team, which is restoring land, peace of mind, prosperity and dignity to people in remote rural Khammouane Province. On Sunday, May 5, the Rev. Canon Michael Ambler, founder of Restoration Laos, will preach at our 8 and 10 a.m. services and give a talk on Restoration Laos at 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Light refreshments (including some Laotian food) will be provided. All are encouraged to come hear about this important work. Please visit restorationlaos.org for further information. |