Julio Perez: The Story of A Landmine Victim

Julio Perez was chasing rabbits in a field near his home in Juigalpa, Nicaragua, when he discovered the landmine. For a young boy, the object was new and perplexing, a strange toy that warranted a closer inspection. The explosion severed Julio's left arm below the elbow, destroyed his left eye, and severely damaged his right eye. The "toy" Julio had unsuspectingly picked up was a landmine still in place from the Nicaraguan Civil War; a conflict that lasted from 1978 to 1990 in Nicaragua.

Julio was in some ways fortunate. He survived the initial explosion, and after exhausting his country's medical capabilities, his situation was brought to the attention of the U.S. Government by the Government of Nicaragua. At the request of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs, the Marshall Legacy Institute built a consortia of private partners, including the Humpty Dumpty Institute and Medical Missions for Children, to provide medical assistance for Julio. In July, 2000, Julio and his mother Martha traveled to New York where he received treatment at the Gramercy Park Eye Institute, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. While restoring his vision was impossible because of the extensive damage he had sustained in both eyes, doctors were able to increase his light perception. Also, instead of getting Julio a prosthetic arm, they actually rebuilt his arm by adding to the bone and covering it with skin so he can control its movement and maintain feeling in it.

Thanks to all involved, Julio returned to Nicaragua with a new arm and a prosthetic eye in time to celebrate Christmas with the rest of his family.

Julio's ordeal, however, highlights some of the most pressing landmine issues. In areas contaminated with landmines, mine awareness is often haphazard and programs to educate individuals (especially children, who suffer disproportionately from landmines) may be insufficient or simply non-existent. In the meantime, approximately every 22 minutes one more person like Julio becomes a landmine victim.

Similarly, in the poor and war-torn countries that most often suffer from landmines, victims' assistance programs are inadequate. In fortunate cases, such as with Julio, additional assistance can be found. Usually, however, this is not the case. With limited resources and limited programs available, the mines are able to not only kill outright, but also to steal chances for even survivors to lead productive lives.

The Marshall Legacy Institute is dedicated to addressing these issues both globally and, when necessary, as in the case of Julio, one child at a time.