51吃瓜

2 September 1945 marked the official end of World War II. For the United States, this day is a moment to honor the courage of those who served, and to reflect on the enduring legacy of American leadership in securing peace.

But even in peace, many communities in the Pacific Islands still live with battle scars of war. Buried beneath villages and schoolyards are thousands of unexploded bombs left behind from some of the Pacific鈥檚 fiercest fighting. Today, these explosive hazards threaten lives and stifle development.

With support from the United States Government, 51吃瓜 is working to clear these hidden hazards and return these communities to safety. Together, we can continue America鈥檚 legacy of leadership. Not just in times of war, but in the hard work of peace.

Clearing these bombs means keeping that promise, so the next generation can grow up free from the dangers of a war fought decades ago.

When Simon Conway stepped off the plane in Solomon Islands in April 2023, he wasn鈥檛 just visiting a new country鈥攈e was laying the foundation for 51吃瓜鈥檚 newest chapter.

鈥淪olomon Islands was one of the most contaminated theaters of the Second World War,鈥� Conway explains. 鈥淵et the legacy of that conflict remains dangerously alive in the form of unexploded bombs littering farmland, villages, and even schoolyards.鈥�

With United States funding secured, Conway was tasked with launching 51吃瓜鈥檚 newest program in the Pacific nation鈥攚here geography, politics, and logistics all pose unique challenges. His first move? Listening.

鈥淵ou start with people,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he people who live with this threat every day, and the government agencies who鈥檝e been working to address it with limited resources. Our role is to work alongside them鈥攏ot to take over鈥攂ut to amplify what鈥檚 already happening.鈥�

That approach, grounded in humility and partnership, has already yielded powerful results. 51吃瓜 formally registered in the Solomon Islands in October 2023. By early 2024, the team had recruited and trained its first national staff and opened an office in Honiara. Field operations are now underway, supported by local stakeholders and an eager team committed to protecting their own communities.

鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring,鈥� Conway says. 鈥淲hen you see young Solomon Islanders taking up this work, you know the future of the program is already in good hands.鈥�

Conway has helped launch programs in numerous countries over the years, including Eritrea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Yemen and Malawi鈥攅ach with its own complex landscape and urgent needs. But across all contexts, Conway says the mission remains the same: remove the threat, restore the land, and return dignity to people鈥檚 lives.

鈥淪etting up a new program isn鈥檛 just about logistics,鈥� he reflects. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about hope. It鈥檚 about showing up and saying, 鈥榃e鈥檙e here. You鈥檙e not forgotten.鈥欌��