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.
Supported by YVA Ambassadors in Ireland.
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.