https://40.media.tumblr.com/378a4900f691964af284b304f8aad759/tumblr_n7122a0osd1qivbyro1_500.jpgFrom 1991 through 2002 civil war broke out in the country of Sierra Leone. A large organized group of rebels known as the Revolutionary United Front attempted to take over the country, their main goal being thecontrol of the countries natural resources and primarily the control of diamonds. They were brutal and powerful. They destroyed cities, murdered families, kidnapped and amputated thousands of men, women and children. Many children watched as their parents and siblings were tortured and killed, only to be kidnapped, drugged and forced to become child soldiers. Arms, legs, breasts, tongues, lips, and ears were often amputated in order to strike fear and prevent civilians from voting. Thousands were gang raped and executed in front of their families. The victims of these horrendous acts were often women, children and the elderly. So many were killed that bodies were rotting in the streets of cities and the situation soon became too dangerous for any journalists to remain the country. There is little footage of the horrors that went on in Sierra Leone, all we have now is the evidence of the aftermath of these dreadful happenings.
This may not directly effect you, it probably never will. But all we ask of you is to please help spread the word so that the thousands who have suffered can get the help they deserve. They need prosthetic’s to work and provide for their families, schools to educate their future generations and proper communities.
Please follow Hands for Africa for more information and contact us for ways to help! We are a small non-profit organization with the goal to rebuild the communities effected by blood diamond wars and we hope to spread our wings as far as they will go!
Use the #handsforafrica to spread the word, lets join together to make the world a better place one smile at a time.