Description
In the hauntingly beautiful mountains of Laos, South East Asia, artisan families make simple yet beautiful bangles from aluminium salvaged from deactivated UXO (unexploded ordnance) dropped on their country during ‘the secret war’, which took place between 1964 and 1973. Whilst fighting the Vietnam war, the USA carpet bombed the small neighbouring country of Laos. Of the 270 million cluster bombs which rained down, approximately 80 million failed to detonate, leaving behind a deadly legacy with, statistically, one person per day still being killed or maimed. Upcycled from safely sourced bomb scraps by artisans in Laos and made under Fair Trade conditions, each bangle serves as a peaceful reminder of destruction, reconstruction and a hopeful future. Each Bangle sold assists with safe land clearance and supports the artisans` families and village development. To make the bracelets, the scrap aluminium is melted in an earthen kiln, cast in hand-sculpted moulds of wood and ash and finished by hand. Approximately 3m square of land can be cleared & made safe from the money made when one Bangle is bought. Choose from 3 sizes – 6.7 cm medium / Woman`s – 7.7 cm large / Man`s – 6 cm Child`s measurements from inside