:: For her, it won't be easy to start all over again ::
	If Mayling had been injured by a human being, demands to find the individual(s) responsible for this atrocity would have been publicized far and wide. Unfortunately, there will never be such an investigation. No one will ever be prosecuted. No state, nation, or community will be held accountable for this because Mayling was wounded by an antipersonnel mine. She is just one of thousands of victims whose life is forever changed by this weapon. Placed just under the surface level and designed to explode by the presence of an individual, it does not discriminate among its victims. This weapon of war, upon exploding, deeply embeds filth and fragmented metallic shards into the new wound. As a result, amputation of a limb (if not two or three) is usually necessary. Walking, with or without a prosthetic, may not be possible anymore.
Children, in particular, suffer the cruel effects of antipersonnel landmines. While unknowingly playing soccer in a mine-infested field or picking up the metallic object because it looks like a toy, children suffer grave wounds from the explosions. Yet they do not suffer silently and move on. For the grave disabilities incurred by losing a limb cause psychological trauma that isolates a victim from society for many years to come. Economically speaking, the cost is also steep. A child who is wounded at the age of 10 will need about 25 artificial limb replacements for the rest of his life. This burden falls not only on the individual, but on society as a whole. "How can I help?" you ask. Read on�

The OAS Mine Action Program (AICMA) of the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD) is committed to a range of activities preventing the further victimization of individuals in the Americas as a result of antipersonnel landmines. While it integrates mine awareness education, humanitarian demining, stockpile destruction, and political advocacy, the social reintegration of mine victims is a growing priority. For this reason, the Mine Action Program is funding the printing of Christmas cards, designed and produced by the Transitions Foundation, to provide programs and assistance to victims. We invite you to join us this holiday season. Buy a Christmas card - help a handicapped victim.

How are the cards sold?
The cards are sold in packets of 10 for US$10.00 a packet. An identical design is displayed on the front of each card in a packet and is accompanied by a matching envelope. Payment is accepted in cash or check (made out to: Mine Action Program, UPD, OAS) and can be mailed to the Mine Action Program (address below). With the payment, please send a forwarding/mailing address and the specific quantity and design of cards requested. The program will process the request and send the customer the desired cards through the U.S. Postal System.

How will the funds be distributed?
The funds generated by the sale of these Christmas cards will be used for the rehabilitation and occupational training/therapy of victims of antipersonnel mines, with the end goal of promoting sustainable programs of social reintegration. While all of the proceeds assist handicapped landmine victims, fifty percent will help those in Guatemala represented by the Transitions Foundation while the other half will be channeled to victims in Central America, Peru and Ecuador through the OAS Mine Action Program. 

What do the cards look like?
The Christmas-themed cards are original paintings by Gustavo Vasquez, a 35 year old handicapped victim of landmines left over from the civil war and member of the Transitions Foundation (a Guatemalan association of handicapped individuals). With seven designs to choose from, cards have a unique design on the front and say "May your Holiday Season be Filled with Love and Peace" in English and Spanish inside. The back side briefly explains the cooperation between the Mine Action Program and the Transitions Foundation and includes a bio and picture of the artist. The cards with envelopes measure 4.5" by 5.75" inches (11.5 by 14.5 centimeters).

For questions or more information, please feel free to contact: Annsley M. Scruton-Wilson, Mine Action Program, tel. 202 458 3743, email [email protected], address: 1889 F Street N.W., Washington, DC 20006