In Angola, southwest Africa, there was a civil war for 27 years and thousands of people were injured by landmines.

Lucas is 13. His dad, Adelino, was kidnapped and forced to fight as a soldier. One day he stepped on a landmine. 'I lost consciousness for a few minutes and then came-to screaming,' he says. Adelino was taken to hospital – his leg had to be removed just below the knee.

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world – it's thought there could be two mines for every person who lives there. The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) says it could take between 10 and 20 years to completely clear the mines from Angola. 

Today IECA, a charity which is supported by Christian Aid, is teaching children about the dangers of landmines.

Adelino says: 'I got involved with the landmine workshops to help children understand the dangers of treading on a mine. It's particularly important to talk to children about landmines in this area because there was a big battle here and many mines were laid. I feel proud that something good has come out of what happened to me.'

The most common question the children in the workshop ask Adelino is, 'What does it feel like to step on a mine?' His answer? 'It’s like stepping on a fire.'

Thanks to his dad, Lucas is very careful of the mines. 'I know where I should go and where I shouldn't. I know the signs,' he says.

MAG puts up 'Danger! Mines!' signs wherever it finds a minefield, but people also paint stones or the tops of sticks red to show that there are mines nearby. These signs help to keep people safe, but it's really important that - like Lucas - all children are taught what to look out for.