FROM THE FIELD
The results of MAG's work in Canjamba have been staggering: the village is constructing two new water bore holes, has extensive plans for new houses on formerly contaminated land and is renovating its school to accommodate the increase in the number of children attending. Deep in a valley at the confluence of three rivers lies the picturesque village of Canjamba (population: 2,985). Given its strategic location, and its proximity to the capital of Moxico Province, the last bastion of fighting during the twenty-seven year civil war, the village has seen decades of fighting. The result is that not only were numerous anti-tank and anti-personnel mines laid in and around the village, but the area was also heavily bombarded with mortars. Following the conclusion of the devastating war in April 2002, it became apparent that, whilst fighting had ended, the effects of the conflict would continue long into the future unless corrective measures were taken. As highlighted by Fernando Enoque Chissuale, the 45-year-old headmaster of the local school, "There were huge problems here because people were not able to move freely. People were scared to even set foot in the village through fear of landmines and unexploded mortars." This fear was clearly based on fact, with Chissuale confirming that there were "many serious accidents that occurred". Further accentuating the problem is that since 2002 there has been an influx of 18,148 former refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia arriving into the municipality. At the direct request by the community, MAG commenced clearance in the village in 2004, clearing a total of 20,042 sq/m of land in close proximity to people's houses, grazing areas and the school, removing four different types of landmines (TM-57, POMZ-2, POMZ-2M, MAI-75) and two different types of mortars (60mm and 82mm). The results and subsequent impact has been staggering. The village is in the process of constructing two new water bore holes, has extensive plans for the building of houses on the former contaminated land and is renovating its colonial era school in order to accommodate the increase in the number of children. As Chissuale shows MAG around the former contaminated land, he recalls the time that he feared to enter the suspect area. His eyes then light up when he mentions the possibilities of developing the area to build new houses and a new school so he can continue his passion for teaching. If you know an organisation which would like to support the development of Canjamba then please contact: Mark Naftalin (MAG Angola Programme Officer), tel: +244 222 354 730, mobile: +244 924 262 745, e-mail: po@magangola.org.[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
