Ilka Hartmann

The funeral of Maurice Demierre, a 29 year old Swiss man who, with his wife, had lived in the small town of Somotillo (near the El Salvadorean border) for several years building houses. They were part of a Christian group called "Brothers Without Borders."

On a Sunday in February of 1986 several mothers traveled to the front to visit their sons. When they returned to Somotillo they were tired and still had to make their way to another village. Maurice offered to take them in his jeep even though it was getting dark and aware of the danger of traveling in the dark.

Outiside of Somotillo they hit a mine (later discovered to be a US Claymore mine), but were still alive and were then, according to a survivor, shot by an ambush that had been waiting for them. Seven people lost their lives including a pregnant woman and a child. Maurice was buried outside of the Cathedral of Somotillo, the women and children n their own village.

Nicaragua, 1986