Blood Diamond
Our Voices. Our Stories Our Healing.
At Young Voices of Africa, we are committed to telling the untold stories of Africa’s youth and communities. The Blood Diamond Project is one of our most powerful and urgent initiatives, a youth-led documentary and theatre campaign that brings to light the brutal truths of the 1991–2002 Blood Diamond Civil War in Sierra Leone.
Led by our President and CEO, Kelvin Akpaloo, who is also the project manager, and Vice-President Alhassan Kallon, alongside YVA Ambassadors in Sierra Leone, the project is supported by Fatima Ismail, President of our Women’s Forum, and our Diaspora Ambassadors in Ireland. Together, we are trusted to amplify the voices of survivors in the Amputee and War-Wounded Camp in Panla-Makeni, individuals who have lived through unimaginable violence and have waited far too long to be heard.
From Film to Stage
Turning Testimony into Global Awareness.
This project begins with a documentary that captures the real stories of resilience, trauma, and survival. These deeply personal accounts form the heart of the movement and are now adapted into a live theatre production by our diaspora team in Ireland, using spoken word and dance to bring African experiences to global audiences.
“We Don’t Need Money. We Need Skills.”
Empowering Communities for Long-Term Change.
When we asked what kind of support they needed, the community responded with dignity and determination. They’re not asking for handouts, they’re requesting vocational training in soap-making, farming, and gari production. They want to work. They want to build. They want to thrive.
While occasional aid from NGOs provides momentary relief, it is not enough. True change involves equipping people with the tools to become self-sufficient and support their families for generations.
Endorsed by Academic and Global Partners
Empowering Communities for Long-Term Change.
The Blood Diamond Project has also received international attention. In a feature interview with University College London (UCL), our Women’s Forum President Fatima Ismail shared insights into the purpose and urgency of this work:
This recognition reinforces the importance of our mission to document, educate, and empower through youth-driven storytelling and advocacy.
Our Commitment
The Blood Diamond Project embodies the essence of Young Voices of Africa: truth, courage, empowerment, and action. We are not merely telling stories, are igniting a movement. We empower survivors to reclaim their voices and futures through creativity, community, and justice. Their story is our story. Their voice is our voice. Their future is one we are dedicated to supporting them in building.
Quote Source
“We fear that if we remain unheard, we may suffer in silence forever.”
— Survivor, Panla-Makeni
Quote Source
“If we have the opportunity, we can do something good for ourselves.”
— Survivor, Panla-Makeni
"Voices of Courage:
Honouring the Survivors Who Inspire Our Mission"
Meet the brave survivors of the 1991–2002 Blood Diamond Civil War in Sierra Leone, alongside our dedicated Young Voices of Africa ambassadors from the Amputee and War-Wounded Camp in Panlap-Makeni and the diaspora.
These courageous individuals entrusted us with their powerful stories of pain, resilience, and hope. Their voices are the soul of this project, and their truths fuel our mission for justice, healing, and transformation.
We pay special tribute to Ambassador Alanssan, one of our own, whose passion and commitment to amplifying these voices left an indelible mark. Alanssan sadly passed away during the interview stage of this documentary while working closely with survivors in the Amputee Camp. His compassion, courage, and unwavering belief in the power of youth storytelling will never be forgotten. This project is not only a voice for the silenced; it is also a legacy of his dedication.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his spirit continue to guide our work.
Read about the progress of the project
Progress So Far and the Ongoing Impact We Aim to Strengthen
The Young Voices of Africa (YVA) amputee farm project summary.
This year, 2025, YVA Sierra Leone initiated a farm project with the amputee camp in Panlap, with support from YVA ambassadors in Ireland, aiming to empower amputees through skills and vocational training. The project was made possible by funding from local leaders, including the founder, Kelvin Akpaloo, YVA, and other local leaders in Sierra Leone.
Project Overview
This project demonstrates YVA's commitment to supporting amputees and promoting sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
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Two acres of land were secured from the community for two years.
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Two bags of groundnuts were planted, and the harvest yielded six bags in August 2025.
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Two bags were sold to support amputees' education, covering costs for bags, books, and tuition.
The Current Impact of the Activity and Its Continued Goals
This activity is already underway, and we hope it continues to grow into a long-lasting and transformative initiative for the amputee and war-wounded community in Panla-Makeni. Our vision goes far beyond awareness; it is rooted in dignity, empowerment, and sustainable development.
Location
Panlap-Merkine, Sierra Leone
Year
2025
The community has already taken powerful steps by establishing the Amputee & YVA Farm, jointly developed by the Amputee Community and YVA Ambassadors. This farm is not just an idea; it is already active. The community secured land, ploughed it, and has begun planting crops (groundnuts). The farm provides practical vocational training in agriculture while also producing food for the community. Surplus crops will be sold to generate stable income, making this a real and functioning solution to poverty and food insecurity.
We hope this activity continues to strengthen the shift from charity to solidarity. The community made it clear that they want skills, not handouts. Their leadership in initiating and working on the farm demonstrates that sustainable empowerment is not only possible, but it is already happening.
We also hope the project continues to restore dignity and emotional healing. Survivors now have a platform to share their stories, to be seen, and to take ownership of their future. The documentary and theater adaptation will help amplify their voices locally and internationally.
Another important impact already taking shape is interfaith cooperation. Members of the wider Panlap community—Christians, Muslims, and those who follow traditional spiritual beliefs- are working together on the farm. This collaboration reinforces unity, peace, and shared responsibility.
We hope this activity continues to inspire youth leadership across Africa and the diaspora, demonstrating that when young people lead with empathy and solidarity, real change happens.
Ultimately, even though the activity has already begun, what we hope to see is its continued growth: sustainable income generation, strengthened dignity, increased awareness, interfaith harmony, and long-term community development that will benefit this generation and those to come.
Supported by YVA Ambassadors in Ireland.
The Blood Diamond Project took centre stage at the One World Week event in Ireland, organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI).
This was a powerful moment for us—not only because we shared the resilience and untold stories of Sierra Leone’s war-affected communities, but also because our Young Voices of Africa Ambassadors in Ireland were the performers, bringing the narrative to life through powerful artistic expression.
NYCI has been one of our strongest supporters and an important network in our work. Their platform allowed us to reach a wider audience, engage young people across Ireland, and spark deeper conversations on justice, peacebuilding, and youth-led advocacy.
We are deeply grateful for NYCI’s continued support and partnership.
Our Collaboration With ACWAY
This project is also being developed in partnership with ACWAY (A Common Word Among the Youth), an international youth-led movement that promotes peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and social cohesion across cultures and religions. ACWAY empowers young leaders worldwide through training, global gatherings, and opportunities to design and carry out interfaith action projects in their communities. Their work demonstrates a commitment to mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all faiths and beliefs.
This collaboration aligns strongly with several Interfaith Dialogue Goals (IDGs)—particularly:
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Reflected in the joint effort between YVA, ACWAY, and the Panlap community members of Muslim, Christian, and traditional belief backgrounds.
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Through storytelling, community collaboration, and amplifying survivors’ voices.
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Involving youth leaders working alongside elders and survivors.
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Many women in the amputee community endured extreme violations during the conflict.
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YVA brings a youth-development and community-empowerment lens that is not based on religion.
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The amputee and war-wounded community is one of Sierra Leone’s most marginalised populations.
Through this collaboration, ACWAY contributes to the project by helping raise international awareness, connecting us to global interfaith networks, and providing platforms for advocacy. Their visibility and international reach strengthen the project’s credibility and broaden its audience, ensuring the stories of survivors gain the recognition they deserve. ACWAY also creates opportunities for YVA youth leaders to develop interfaith competencies and participate in global peacebuilding exchanges, which enrich the project’s impact.
Kelvin Akpaloo’s Participation in the G20 Interfaith Forum
This partnership deepened when Kelvin Akpaloo, YVA’s CEO/President, was invited by ACWAY to join the G20 Interfaith Forum 2025 in South Africa as an ACWAY youth delegate. The global meeting, held from 9–14 August under the theme “Ubuntu in Action: Focus on Vulnerable Communities,” brought together faith leaders, policymakers, academics, and youth advocates to explore how interfaith dialogue can address global challenges.
From Kelvin’s perspective:
“From 9 to 14 August, I had the honor of joining the G20 Interfaith Forum 2025 in South Africa under the theme “Ubuntu in Action: Focus on Vulnerable Communities.” As a delegate nominated by ACWAY, I shared why youth must be at the decision-making table because a youthless policy is a useless policy. And how peacebuilding can be a path to liberation. I believe in the role of religion in decolonisation and reparations for Africa’s future. This experience reminded me that Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” is not just philosophy, but action. Grateful to the G20 Interfaith Forum, ACWAY, and fellow changemakers for creating space for youth voices to shape the future.”
Kelvin also contributed to a discussion titled “How can we turn peacebuilding in Africa and the world?”
His message emphasised that:
Peace without justice is not liberation. You can have peace, but not be free -Kwame Ture. True liberation requires addressing the root causes of inequality, discrimination, and historical injustice.
How This Collaboration Led to the Project
One of the outcomes for G20 delegates was a commitment to develop a voluntary, nonprofit interfaith action project. This became the foundation on which Kelvin saw that YVA and ACWAY could collaborate on the Blood Diamond-Vocational Training Project.
This partnership reflects:
Unity across cultures, religions, and regions
Youth-led interfaith action
A shared commitment to dignity, empowerment, and peace
Solidarity with vulnerable communities
The belief that storytelling, dialogue, and skills development can be tools for healing and justice
Through this collaboration, the project gains stronger visibility, interfaith credibility, and the ability to reach global audiences committed to peace and human dignity.
Visuals from Amputee and YVA Farm.
Here are some of the images of the Amputee community, YVA Ambassador and Panpla-Merkine Community working together on their farm.
How You Can Support
Join us in turning silence into strength.You can be part of this powerful movement. Whether you're an individual, an organisation, or part of the diaspora, your support can make a real impact. By volunteering your skills, partnering with us on community projects, donating essential resources, or simply sharing our mission with others, you help amplify the voices of survivors and create lasting change.
Every action moves us closer to a future built on dignity, resilience, and self-reliance.