Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Project Pineapple: Riding for a cause

PROJECT PINEAPPLE.

An Easy Ride through Indochina.

Lift the carpet. Remove the bombies. Repair the damage.

Hanoi 19th March 2009 – HCMC 30th April 2009.

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An estimated 76 million cluster bombs (bombies) remain from the ‘carpet bombing’ (260 million bombs, equivalent to one C130 planeload every 8 minutes for 9 years) of supply lines during the Vietnamese war, mostly in Laos but also in Vietnam and Cambodia, scattered like seeds, ready to explode. And they do. Every week.

Handicap International estimates that 98% of the victims have been civilians, 27% children. Kids are attracted to them because they are often brightly coloured. Many look rather like toy pineapples……more numerous and insidious than landmines.

On average, 10 children have died every month during the last 33 years.

On 3rd December this year 94 countries, including 18 of the 26 NATO member nations, signed The Convention on Cluster Munitions, known as the Oslo Treaty. The Convention seeks to ban cluster bombs and assist the victims. Notable amongst those who did not sign were USA, China, and Russia, all key perpetrators.

Project Pineapple (PP) is planning a peaceful event to publicize the issue of these unexploded ordinances (UXOs). Increased awareness will help to mobilize the support necessary to clean up the mess, support the victims and educate local people to know how to deal with those they find. It is hoped to assist in getting more signatories to the Convention, through pressure from voters.

Project Pineapple will take the form of an ‘Easy Ride’ by motor bike enthusiasts. The riders will carry a pineapple from the starting point in Hanoi, Vietnam, through Laos and Cambodia, ending in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Members of the Minsk (previously Soviet) Motorcycle clubs from the 3 Indochina countries will be the ‘frontline.’ However, anyone may participate in the ride, with any model of bike, either in part or for the whole route.

Negotiations are underway with media organizations, in particular a key international one, to produce a documentary film on the ride highlighting the cluster bomb issues. It is hoped that several famous media personalities will agree to participate.

Project Pineapple is committed to ridding the world of cluster bombs, and to providing support to Non Government Organizations (NGOs) involved in cleanup and victim care. Project Pineapple does not solicit funds but encourages donations be made to NGOs.

Anybody with a project or program who feel they might like a visit and perhaps assist in publicising the Cluster Bomb issue please get in touch.

Anybody who wants to join the ride for a while, also, please get in touch; motivated bikers from any country are welcomed.

To offer your support or for more information please visit Project Pineapple and http://www.geocities.com/project.pineapple/