Printer-friendly version"We didn't go out and raise $20 million to hire a fleet of engineers that are going to sit around and fiddle with thumbtacks all day and make something that might work, maybe not," Sam says. "We thought about the problem and approached it like engineers would and solved it ourselves."
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For now, it's time to raise capital, to get the project off the ground. The minimum estimate of clearing current landmines is $33 billion. According to Sam, the company's goal is to raise $5.2 million in 2005 and by August, 2006 to have "six demonstration models in the field -- two in a desert environment, two in an arid environment, and two in a jungle environment -- working with results that we can tell the world about."
Josh knows the skies ahead are difficult. For every mine cleared, around 20 more are scattered, like pixie-dust, in the ground. He also realizes that landmines are cheap to produce -- around three bucks. "It's very risky, this venture," he says. "It's kind of like going into the future without a safety net. It's a bit scary."
But Sam and Josh continue to look ahead, past the possible turbulence. "Five years from now we need to have hundreds of machines working around the world working to solve the landmine problem." Sam says. "And we will."
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It's not surprising, after that, that the two pads assigned to safeguard Mike and Josh in Kabul appeared a little miffed to see that these two worldwide demining experts-in-training looked much more as though they belonged attending college.
It is very interesting to learn about how Samuel Reeves and Josh Koplin are trying to solve the world's landmine problem. The story of these brave hearts is very exciting and inspiring to read and emulate.Thanks for sharing the information.Dr.Isaac Boules
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