It's
not just animals that Jerome cares for...human beings are important to him too!
In August 1996, Jerome embarked on a demanding, whirlwind visit to Bosnia to help
the Red Cross in it's global campaign to raise awareness of the effects of anti-personnel
mines. Although the major conflicts in Bosnia are now over, it's deadly legacy
remains with an estimated 3 million landmines still in the country.
Jerome
was greeted like an old friend by the British troops in Sarajevo, where he witnessed
a mine clearing exercise. All of them asked for his autograph and had photos taken
with him. These men are incredibly brave and dedicated in their effort to clear
mines.
He discovered that a land mine only costs £1 to buy - but £500
to remove it! And for every landmine cleared another 20 are planted. The world
is now littered with around 110 million mines. The majority of those killed or
injured by them are just ordinary people, working in mine infested fields, trying
to collect water or just wanting to play like children in the world over.
Jerome
was deeply moved by the plight of two mine victims who, more than anything, summed
up the tragic human costs of mines. He first visited 12 year old Damir Palavra
and his parents, who live in the Dobrinha suburb of Sarajevo. Damir lost his leg
just below the knee when he went back to visit his ruined home, a booby-trap mine
had been left across the threshold. Damir had wanted to be a footballer but now,
when football is mentioned, the pain of what is no longer possible is too much
to bear and he turns away.
Adis Mehedika, another 12 year old boy, also
hoped to be a professional sportsman, a wrestler. Jerome admitted that when he
met him he had to use all his strength not to break down in tears, as the boy
recounted how he had been chased by older boys and, in trying to escape, had found
himself in the middle of a minefield. Adis had lost part of his foot and leg and
is still undergoing treatment. He had to crawl on his stomach inch by inch to
get out of the minefield while the adults were powerless to help, fearing they
too might step on a mine. Such bravery is a humbling experience and brings home
the reality of life in Bosnia, where playing football and running in the fields
- things we take for granted in the UK - are filled with deadly perils for these
youngsters already scarred by war. Jerome was deeply touched by the Red Cross
visit. "Here you see what war is really like and the effect it has on the children.
I never thought I would be so moved."
From a humanitarian
point of view the Red Cross believes that a worldwide ban on anti-personnel mines
is the only totally effective solution. For further information write to:
Landmines Campaign, British Red Cross, Room LM 96, Freepost, London, SWIX
7BR. Or call O8OO 454443 for a free information pack.
It's
not just animals that Jerome cares for...human beings are important to him too!
In August 1996, Jerome embarked on a demanding, whirlwind visit to Bosnia to help
the Red Cross in it's global campaign to raise awareness of the effects of anti-personnel
mines. Although the major conflicts in Bosnia are now over, it's deadly legacy
remains with an estimated 3 million landmines still in the country.
Jerome
was deeply moved by the plight of two mine victims who, more than anything, summed
up the tragic human costs of mines. He first visited 12 year old Damir Palavra
and his parents, who live in the Dobrinha suburb of Sarajevo. Damir lost his leg
just below the knee when he went back to visit his ruined home, a booby-trap mine
had been left across the threshold. Damir had wanted to be a footballer but now,
when football is mentioned, the pain of what is no longer possible is too much
to bear and he turns away.