Gary Christ invented a machine to destroy land mines in Cambodia. CBS
ReportingCRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (CBS) ― In 2004, an inventor from Crystal Lake found himself working in Cambodia. He found dozens of Cambodians maimed by land mines. Since then, Gary Christ has made it his life's work to destroy the weapons that have destroyed so many lives. CBS 2's Harry Porterfield reports that he is someone you should know.
Every day at least two Cambodians are killed or maimed by one of more than six million anti-personnel land mines left over from the Vietnam War. But now, those explosives are being destroyed by a machine conceived and manufactured by inventor Gary Christ of suburban Crystal Lake.
These days Christ can be found creating a second land mine destroyer. He put the prototype together using a 60-year-old tractor and lots of junk.
"This is a nice piece, so we took that and the tires are made from barn wood," Christ said.
Christ's current project is smaller and can be operated by remote control.
"I like to call it a peace hammer," Christ said. "Wherever it hammers, there will be a peaceful place to walk."
Christ expects to have to his new machine finished by the end of the year, and shipped to Cambodia where it will begin its life-saving mission.
"It gives them hope, and it lets them know that somebody cares about them, somebody trying to do something for them," Christ said.
Money from speaking engagements and donations help Christ curb his costs, and the money really helps.
Once he's done, it will cost about $9,000 just to ship the unit to Cambodia. And then there's all the time it takes to build the machine itself.
"Over the past four years, I'd estimate at least 4,000 hours," Christ said. "A thousand hours a year, almost full-time, either in Cambodia working with disabled people, and then I come here and work on this during the summer."
Gary Christ may never know all of the people whose lives he'll save. But that's not what's important.
"I have a big heart for people with disabilities," Christ said. "No matter how bad it is, they still have a good outlook on life."
Gary Christ, humanitarian and inventor, and someone you should know.
Christ says he's very grateful for the donations that are helping. He carries out his work in a space that's donated by Hydraulic Services & Repairs in Spring Grove.
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