What is KLCC?

KLCC is an NGO group whose mission is to promote public awareness, especially amongst

 

schoolchildren, about landmines and also to assist landmine survivor support groups.

 

 

 

`Things will never change unless you go forward one step at a time.

 

 

 

This is a sentence I found in a book entitled `Landmines and a Frame` by Chris Moon, who was one

 

of the final torch carriers at the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998. He used to be a deminer and worked in Cambodia for 1 year and 8 months, as well as 3 months in Mozambique, where he was badly injured by a landmine. Reading his book I learned about landmine issues and the situation in Cambodia in detail for the first time, and was shocked. At the same time I was moved by Chris himself, his words, and the fact that he continued to support the campaign to ban landmines even after he became an amputee. Then I made up my mind to start a campaign to ban landmines

 

as I wanted young people throughout Japan to know about Chris and the situation in heavily mine-

 

affected countries. For this purpose I thought it would be most effective to invite Chris Moon to

 

Kumamoto and have him talk about his activities.

 

 

 

Thus KLCC (Kumamoto Landmine Clearance Campaign) was established in 1999.

 

 

 

Chris Moon arrived at Kumamoto airport in May 2000. He stayed for 6 days and attracted many

 

people with his personality. He participated in the 100k Aso Ultra Super Marathon and completed

 

the run in 13hours,16 minutes and 25 seconds in heavy rain.

 

 

 

Again in May 2001 and August 2004 he came back to Kumamoto to collaborate with us on our campaign to ban landmines. In 2001 we planned some events in Minamata and he met some Minamata Disease patients with congenital defects. They got on very well together. After visiting the Minamata Disease Museum, Chris said that environmental issues were of great importance to us, and as landmines also inflict huge damage on our environment they are an environmental issue that should be resolved as soon as possible.

 

 

 

According to statistics reported by ICBL in 2003, currently there are approximately 60 to 70 million

 

landmines buried in 79 countries and 8 regions, and between 15,000 and 20,000 people, including children have been injured or killed by landmines. (Due to the complicated situation in various countries there has been no report from ICBL regarding the confirmed number of victims and landmines since 2003). Recently many children have been killed or badly injured by UXO explosions and cluster bomb explosions in about 22 countries.

 

 

 

Therefore I feel it is important that each and every one of us needs to do something to change the

 

situation, no matter how small that activity is. I strongly believe that doing a little is much better than doing nothing at all.

 

 

 

We have given all the money collected through Chris Moon`s fund-raising activities with KLCC to

 

The Halo Trust (a demining NGO),the Cambodia Trust (survivor support) both based in Britain, and Concern Worldwide Cambodia (survivor support) based in Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 

Since February 2001 I have visited Cambodia often and have seen the activities of these NGOs. They are all doing tremendous work and are respected by the local people. I myself stayed in Cambodia for 5 weeks doing volunteer work and writing up 6 case studies with Concern Worldwide Cambodia.

 

 

 

We are also supporting Em Boun`s school in Kampong Speu in Cambodia with donations from children in Kumamoto. Em Boun is a landmine survivor who lost his right leg and badly injured his right hand in an explosion. He manages a private school for young children in his and nearby villages. For the continuous support of his school we use donations from Kumamoto Prefectural School for the Blind and Mansei Elementary School in Oguni Town, Aso.

 

 

 

`Sanso Hiking Group, charity shop `Komura` in Oguni Town and Kumamoto Petroleum Merchant Association are also continuous supporters. We are always grateful to all the members and people related with them. Musashi Y`s Men’s club and `Teretto` Marathon Club also always help us in many ways. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to each one of you for your warm support.

 

 

 

I am determined to continue this support activity as long as I live. I am prepared to go and give a talk anytime, anywhere. Adopting the motto `Let us do whatever we can without forcing ourselves`

 

I would like to continue, together with you all, to be of help to people whose lives have been   adversely affected in some way by landmines.

 

 

 

Thank you very much.

 

 

 

February 2007                                           Hiroko Saisho

 

Contact Information:

 

KLCC: Mobile phone 090-2968－4971 (Hiroko Saisho, Representative of KLCC)

 

 

E-mail: h2i3r2o1k2o@yahoo.co.jp