About Diamonds for Peace (DFP) is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to transform the diamond industry. We envision a world where diamonds are mined and manufactured with respect for people and the planet. DFP currently works with artisanal diamond miners, diggers and other community members in Weasua, Liberia to improve…
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Basic Training on Rough Diamond Grading and Valuation in Liberia
Introduction The artisanal and small-scale diamond mining (ASDM) sector accounts for 20%[1] of the world’s diamond production. The rough diamond industry is worth approximately 14 billion[2] dollars. For the ASDM sector that could amount to approximately 2.8 billion dollars’ worth of resources. However, because the ASDM sector is primarily situated…
Continue ReadingThe cooperative in Weasua receives full-fledged status
Introduction Artisanal diamond miners diggers in Weasua have been trapped in a circle of poverty for many decades. The miners (those who have artisanal mining licenses) and the diggers (those who dig for the diamonds) rely on this work to survive, and regardless of the number of diamonds they recover…
Continue ReadingPractical training for beekeepers in Weasua
Written by Diamonds for Peace Liberia staff Introduction The beekeepers in Weasua are new and inexperienced. They are domesticating bees for the first time, and so they need to be nurtured through the process. These beekeepers went through 5 days of training in basic beekeeping, which was just an introduction.…
Continue ReadingBeekeeping training for the mining cooperative
Written by Diamonds for Peace Liberia staff Overview Diamonds for Peace (DFP) found that artisanal diamond workers (miners and diggers) are trapped in a cycle of dependency on local investors and poverty. The miners are Liberian men and women who have (or are supposed to have) an artisanal mining license…
Continue ReadingInvestor/ Supporter Role in the Diamond Mining Industry in Weasua
Written by Diamonds for Peace Liberia staff Introduction There are many different stakeholders in the artisanal diamond mining industry, one of them is the investors who are called “Supporters” in Liberia. The Supporters are those people who provide miners/diggers with the financial and/or material support to run artisanal diamond mining…
Continue ReadingAnother team building training in Smith Town
Written by Diamonds for Peace Liberia staff Introduction Teamwork among artisanal diamond miners in Smith Town, Liberia is not a common practice; however, the diggers (those who dig for diamonds) usually work in small groups/gangs of three, four or five people. They believe without this kinds of team work it…
Continue ReadingHawa, a female diamond miner in Liberia
Written by Diamonds for Peace Liberia staff Introduction In Liberia’s western region, the main sources of livelihoods are agriculture and mining. Thousands of Liberians in that part of the country work as miners or diggers to provide for their family’s daily bread, pay for their children’s education, and settle other…
Continue ReadingWeasua Cooperative – Progress and Challenges
Written by Diamonds for Peace Liberia staff in August 2019 Introduction The artisanal diamond miners in Weasua organized themselves into a multipurpose cooperative with the assistance of Diamonds for Peace Liberia (DFPL), but they are yet to gain the full-fledged cooperative status. Several cooperative members received training in cooperative formation…
Continue ReadingTeam Building Training Conducted in Weasua, Liberia
Working with other people in groups to achieve common goals is effective. It has lots of advantages because when people work together in a group it can be easier to overcome common challenges. The group can achieve many things and its individual members can also get benefits more than they…
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