A project in Battambang province using rap and hip hop music to alert young people to the danger of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is an example of how safety messages are conveyed through a variety of activities.
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MAG carries out Mine Risk Education in its work in Africa and the Middle East, as well as in South-east Asia. Here, young children in Iraq attend an MRE session. More about Mine Risk Education |
A rap/hip hop competition and concert, to reach out to young males in three heavily-mined villages in north-western Battambang province, was recently organised by the International Women's Development Agency, a partner MAG has worked closely with in Cambodia.
In South-east Asia young people are aware of the risks of tampering with UXO, but many still take a chance, either for a thrill or because in some cases they can make additional money through selling scrap metal.
So in Vietnam, Lao PDR and some areas of Cambodia lots of young people are collecting scrap metal, which may include items of ordnance. It's a very high-risk activity but people do it because it's an easy access into the cash economy.
Music and the arts can be an effective method to pass on crucial safety information.
"Within the region rap music is up-and-coming and it's something that the youth are very interested in," says Ruth Bottomley, MAG's Community Liaison Manager for South-east Asia. "And in other countries around the world it's been a good way to raise awareness about HIV-AIDS and other issues that affect young people. So I think it can easily be used as well for Mine Risk Education issues."
The winning team was a group from Chisang Village, Traeng Commune in Rottanak Mondul District, whose winning entry – 'Boastful Man Changes Himself' – will be used in a radio ad broadcast for around six months in the mine-affected areas of Cambodia.
MAG is contributing images to a short film that is being produced to accompany the launch of an album of the songs.
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Listen to the winning entry here
Boastful Man Changes Himself (English translation)
(Male singer 1):
I’ve been rude since I was young
Going for a walk everyday
Never helping out with housework
Only going to tamper with UXO to make new bombs
I was told that I can’t do anything and don't care about anything
I can only make things made from bombs.
(Female)
He’s he’s he’s
Such a strange guy
He’s he’s he’s
Busy everyday, always inviting others to throw bomb into the lake to kill fish
Doesn’t care about others, thinks he’s famous
Wants to be cool in front of girls, taking risks with mines
Which will cause death or cut off legs and hands
When he makes his own bombs he feels happy and proud of himself
(Female chorus)
No need to exaggerate and show off to me
I don't care and don’t want hear about this
I don't care and don’t want hear about this
(Male singer 1)
Why can't I just show off to you?
I can make things from bombs very well
I also have magic tattoos on my skin
Please don't worry – believe me they will protect me!
(Male singer 2)
I never get tired or bored by tampering with bombs
Because it seems to have buried treasure from the past
I ask the neighbours to come and throw bombs into the water to catch fish
Which we eat while drinking wine
I don't care whether the bomb will affect others or put them at risk....
2 December 09
