Hello friends!This week I have been researching Sierra Leone for my interview today. This country in Africa is still experiencing the affects of a 10-year rebel war that devastated the country. The country had become educated and prosperous to the envy of other African nations. Diamonds were discovered in the country but they were not a blessing, but rather a curse because rebels sold them and bought weapons with the profit. Women were raped, property was stolen, and children were forced to become child soldiers.
Churches were robbed. Hymnals and bibles were stolen. Pastors had difficulty supporting their families. In 2006, Bishop Jane Allen Middleton, of the Central Pennsylvania Conference (now Susquehanna Conference), signed a contract called the Sierra Leone Initiative. Pennsylvania churches that commit to the Initiative provide funding so that the salary of the Sierra Leone pastors are secure. However, more help is needed. There are 156 churches in Sierra Leone, but only 54 of them are linked with American churches. They are very grateful for the support received, yet wish that all of their churches could be linked with one of the Conferences' 950 congregations.
Consumers should be mindful of how their diamonds were acquired. Thankfully as of 2007, 74 nations have signed a contract with the Kimberly Process that requires documentation that the diamonds were not obtained through violence. To learn more visit:
http://www.kimberleyprocess.com
If you are interested in this topic, I suggest you watch the movie "Blood Diamonds" with Leonardo Dicaprio. Warning: the movie includes graphic violence to communicate the atrocities of the war.
