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
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
M at er ial s N eed ed

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
1 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 pres-
sure of a human foot on the area where the mine is buried causes it to explode.

PA G E 1 O F 7
 » 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.

2 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.

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

3 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.

4 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
5 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 communi-
ties 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.

6 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.

Copyright © 2008 by World Vision Resources, Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.

PA G E 3 O F 7
 Start
LandMine
Labyrinth
Take a card. Take a
shortcut.
You have learned
Take a card.
Safe about safe paths.
Move ahead one Safe
Spot space.
Spot
Mine! Take a
shortcut.
Start again.

There are mines United Nation deminers

in your mango Your family
have been in your area

Mine!
grove. You lose A mine explodes loses its only
Take a card. for six months. Move
your source of 25 feet away. Flying ox to a mine.
ahead one space.
nutrition and debris injures you. Move back
income. Lose a Go to the hospital. Start again. one space.
turn.
Take a Take a card.
shortcut.
Take a card. Take a card.

You walk on well- You walk on well-

HOSPITAL
worn paths. Move worn paths. Move
ahead one space. ahead one space.

Lose one turn, Collect two “artificial

Safe limbs.” Leave hospital via “safe spot” Safe
Spot on either path.
Spot
Mine! Take a
Mine!
Start again. Take a card. Start again.
shortcut.

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. Take a card.

Mine! Mine!
Start again. Start again.

Safe take Safe

Spot a c ard Spot
The best firewood area Your field was mined by
was mined last week. guerillas. You can’t plant
Move back one space. crops. Move back two
spaces.

Take a card. Take a card.

FINISH

Handout: Permission to reproduce is granted. © 2008 by World Vision Resources.


LandMine
Labyrinth cards
A nearby mine explosion injures you.
Eventually you recover. Lose a turn.
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.
Your school has been closed for the
past two years because of mines on the
premises. 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.
Your only cow is loose. It is grazing in a
suspect area. Lose a turn.
Your father has lost a foot and his sight.
Move back three spaces.
Your school reopens after the area has
been demined. Move ahead two spaces.
Resource: Permission to reproduce is granted. © 2008 by World Vision Resources.
score and cut
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.
In two days, mines are removed from an
area with mango trees. Food and income
will be increased. Move ahead three
spaces.
You’ve set off a mine and have lost your
foot. Move back two spaces.
There is a cease-fire. United Nations
troops clear roads. You are reunited with
your mother. Move ahead two spaces.
You forget which paths are safe to take.
Move back two spaces.
You see a skull and crossbones sign
marking existing mines. You do not leave
your path. Move ahead one space.
You are safe this time. Watch your step!
Government soldiers mined village fields
last week. 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.
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.
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.
No mines here. Watch out as you head
out into less familiar territory.
You have lost your legs and become an
extra burden on your family. Your brother
must leave school to work. Lose a turn.
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.
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.

Resource: Permission to reproduce is granted. © 2008 by World Vision Resources.

 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

PA G E 7 O F 7