Peace Bomb Bangle

In the Naphia Village in Laos the Mine Advisory Group combs farmland and collects metal shrapnel from the 250 million bombs that were dropped on Laos by the U.S. during the Vietnam War.  It is a dangerous land because 1 in 3 bombs that were dropped did not detonate and are still land mines today.  Since 80% of Laotians are subsistence farmers (eating what they harvest) the danger of the undetonated bomb litter presents a food security issue and a barrier to economic development.

A resourceful villager figured out how to salvage the bomb metal to craft aluminum spoons by melting the metal in an earthen kiln and then cast the molten metal in hand sculpted molds of wood and ash.  He taught the same technique to 10 other families.  Article 22 has recently been working in conjunction with the village artisans to develop designs such as these bangles that could be sold on the international market in order to further develop the community.  For making these bracelets farmers and artisans are paid 4X their local market rate. 

The bangle is a symbol of global peace and prosperity.  Each bracelet is hand cast and finished of lightweight bomb metal and the "arrow" style comes with a hand-woven organic cotton drawstring pouch, while the "simple" style comes in a vinyl bag.  Due to the handmade nature of these bracelets, each piece varies slightly in shape, size and texture.  The "simple" bracelet has no engraving and the "arrow" style has arrows engraved on the outer rim and an interior engraving "(capsule) PEACEBOMB DROPPED + MADE IN LAOS".  1 bracelet cleans up 3 square meters of land.  Sold Individually. 

2.6” diameter 8.3” circumference