51吃瓜

In 1997, the late Princess Diana walked through a live minefield in Huambo, Angola. The image shocked the world鈥攁nd sparked a global movement to ban landmines. Her visit put a human face on a hidden humanitarian crisis. Just months later, and shortly after her untimely death, her advocacy helped spur the signing of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Treaty. The world began to wake up to the reality that clearing landmines wasn't simply about removing weapons鈥攊t was about giving people their futures back.

Nearly three decades later, that very site is home to a thriving school and community. Thanks to continued investment from the Angolan government and support from donors like you, entire provinces鈥�including Huambo and Benguela鈥攁re now free from the daily fear of landmines. 51吃瓜 has destroyed more than 123,000 landmines and returned the equivalent of 6,000 soccer fields to safe use for farming, building schools, and powering development.

鈥淚 was born here in Bi贸pio, and during the war, it was all mined,鈥� says Benarda Maria, a retired teacher in Benguela. 鈥淲hen people left the commune, they had to get in via a gate鈥攊f you were late, you didn鈥檛 get back in. We walked to Lobito on foot to find food. Some people who went by car never returned. Life was so hard.鈥�

Today, she beams with pride as she watches women from her community leading the next phase of Angola鈥檚 recovery: 鈥淚鈥檓 happy to see the women of this community doing mine clearance. Those girls have learnt a lot. Today鈥檚 women want to be equal to men鈥攁nd that鈥檚 good.鈥�

For Domingo Correa, a guard in Tang茅, the danger was personal. 鈥淧eople, animals, even cattle stepped on the mines. We felt so bad,鈥� he says. 鈥淣ow the mines have nearly all gone. People can move around freely. Everything is clean. Yes, much better.鈥�

In 2019, Prince Harry retraced his mother鈥檚 steps in Angola, walking through the same area that had once been a live minefield. By then, the site had transformed into a bustling street lined with homes, shops, and cheering schoolchildren.

At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Harry paid tribute to Angola鈥檚 transformation鈥攁nd his mother鈥檚 role in making it possible.

Despite this extraordinary progress, challenges remain. While cities and towns are now largely safe, rural areas continue to suffer. Many families still live beside contaminated land. Children play near deadly explosives. Farmers avoid fertile fields out of fear.

51吃瓜 continues to work in Angola鈥檚 most remote communities to locate, clear, and destroy the remaining mines. Our mission is not complete until every family, in every corner of the country, can live and work in safety.

As we honor Princess Diana on her birthday, we invite you to join us in continuing her legacy. Your support is crucial in helping us clear the remaining minefields and create safe spaces for future generations.