Children of Sierra Leone Still Paying the Price of ?Blood? Diamonds
15 December 2006
Children of Sierra Leone Still Paying the Price of ?Blood? Diamonds
Other November 15, 2006
All As One, an international charity, hopes the Warner Bros. film, "Blood Diamond," will bring needed attention to the orphaned and destitute children of Sierra Leone.
For_Immediate_Release:
Spanaway, WA / Nov. 16, 2006 -- A decade-long civil war, funded by corruption and the ?blood? diamond trade, was devastating to the people and economy of Sierra Leone. Though the conflict ended in 2002, it is the children who are still suffering the most.
All As One, a registered non-governmental organization in Sierra Leone, works to give these children a chance for a better future. Operating mostly by donations from individuals across the world, their Children's Center in Freetown provides shelter, food, clothes, education, and medical care for orphaned and destitute children, who would otherwise be living on the streets.
Deanna Wallace, a resident of Washington state and founder of All As One, is a mother of twelve ? ten of whom came to her through adoption, both internationally and domestically. She says, ?In Sierra Leone?s past, orphans were raised by their extended families. But the war has ravaged the country, destroyed villages, and left Sierra Leone?s citizens in poverty. The government simply does not have the resources to begin implementing child welfare programs or orphanages.?
According to UNICEF, Sierra Leone has a staggering 340,000 orphans. While the number of orphans has decreased significantly in Asia and Latin America since the 1990s, the number in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by more than 50%. Complicated adoption procedures and restrictions, many imposed by the US government, make the need for organizations like All As One even greater. ?For many of these children, this is the first and possibly the only home they will have,? Wallace says. ?The children are thriving at the Children's Center ? here, they have a chance to learn, play, and just be kids.?
A supporter of All As One will be auctioning his diamond ring from a broken engagement and donating the proceeds to the center, in an effort to shine a light on the continuing issue of ?conflict? diamonds while benefiting the children of Sierra Leone in the process. The eBay auction will run from December 5-15, to coincide with the December 8 release of the Warner Bros. film, ?Blood Diamond,? starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly. Wallace hopes the film and the auction will bring needed attention and support to a country much of the world has forgotten.
For additional information about All As One or the upcoming auction, contact Jen Brauer or visit www.allasone.org.
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About All As One:
All As One is a registered non-governmental organization in Sierra Leone, whose US office is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through their orphanage, school and medical clinic in Freetown, they work to build a better future for the children of Sierra Leone.
Contact:
Jen Brauer, Public Relations/Media Contact, US
Phone: 513-923-3632
E-mail: jen@allasone.org
Website: www.allasone.org
All As One, a registered non-governmental organization in Sierra Leone, works to give these children a chance for a better future. Operating mostly by donations from individuals across the world, their Children's Center in Freetown provides shelter, food, clothes, education, and medical care for orphaned and destitute children, who would otherwise be living on the streets.
Deanna Wallace, a resident of Washington state and founder of All As One, is a mother of twelve ? ten of whom came to her through adoption, both internationally and domestically. She says, ?In Sierra Leone?s past, orphans were raised by their extended families. But the war has ravaged the country, destroyed villages, and left Sierra Leone?s citizens in poverty. The government simply does not have the resources to begin implementing child welfare programs or orphanages.?
According to UNICEF, Sierra Leone has a staggering 340,000 orphans. While the number of orphans has decreased significantly in Asia and Latin America since the 1990s, the number in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by more than 50%. Complicated adoption procedures and restrictions, many imposed by the US government, make the need for organizations like All As One even greater. ?For many of these children, this is the first and possibly the only home they will have,? Wallace says. ?The children are thriving at the Children's Center ? here, they have a chance to learn, play, and just be kids.?
A supporter of All As One will be auctioning his diamond ring from a broken engagement and donating the proceeds to the center, in an effort to shine a light on the continuing issue of ?conflict? diamonds while benefiting the children of Sierra Leone in the process. The eBay auction will run from December 5-15, to coincide with the December 8 release of the Warner Bros. film, ?Blood Diamond,? starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly. Wallace hopes the film and the auction will bring needed attention and support to a country much of the world has forgotten.
For additional information about All As One or the upcoming auction, contact Jen Brauer or visit www.allasone.org.
eeepc, venus 2000, Mobile Phone Deals Uk
About All As One:
All As One is a registered non-governmental organization in Sierra Leone, whose US office is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through their orphanage, school and medical clinic in Freetown, they work to build a better future for the children of Sierra Leone.
Contact:
Jen Brauer, Public Relations/Media Contact, US
Phone: 513-923-3632
E-mail: jen@allasone.org
Website: www.allasone.org