President's Page
The Australian Youth Against Landmines Association is based on ideals of giving to those less fortunate than us and educating others of the hardships that our fellow humans have to endure. It has been this way since our very birth.
During January 2003, I spent some time as an observer in a landmine aid centre in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The things I saw there changed my life forever. For the first time in my short life, I saw people with nothing. In fact, many had less than nothing, not even the ability to walk, or to see properly or the use of both hands. The reason was the presence of landmines.
The people at this aid centre were among the most inspirational people I have ever met, especially its leader, Tun Channareth. He told me the story of his life. I paraphrase it now:
When I was 20, almost my entire family was killed by the government and I had to flee to a refugee camp on the Thai - Cambodian border. I had to live there for 14 years. While there, my legs where blown off by a landmine. I then decided to help people but knew that I would need to be able to speak English to do so. I couldn’t afford to go to school, so I used to sit outside the classroom, with one book and one pen and look inside. I taught myself English in 3 years.
Tun is one of the most lively, dynamic and positive people I have ever met despite the tremendous hardships he has faced in his life. In 1997 he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). An amazing man.
I returned eager to raise money in order to send it to ‘support' or ‘assist' the workers in that aid centre. I also wanted to educate other young Australians about this horrific weapon of war. I began speaking at educational institutions, discussing landmines and accepting donations that were then passed on to landmine aid centres in Cambodia.
Since then, other young Australians have joined in building something much greater than ourselves. We now have a large committee, work with most of the major landmine players in Australia, have drafted our own constitution and have recently completed the website you have accessed. We believe that this groundwork is required so that we can reach as many young Australians as possible.
Despite this growth, our essential ideals have never changed and will remain the cornerstone of our Association. Some may consider our idealism naïve, but I believe that the most worthwhile outcomes develop out of people acting on ideals.
The Association is young, dynamic and growing. We want to work with young Australians of all backgrounds. If you believe that giving to someone less fortunate than yourself is important, I encourage you to contact us.
Be a change for good.
Jonathan Greenacre President
The Australian Youth Against Landmines Association
