Philanthropy Focus: Diamonds for Peace

Diamonds for Peace (DfP) is a non-profit, voluntary organisation which aims to support artisanal and small-scale diamond mining in rural Liberia. Established in 2014, DfP aims to improve the working conditions and social status of the workers in the diamond supply chain, as well as promote ethics and fairness in the diamond industry.

They carry out their mission through 3 main outlets: raising scientific awareness in these communities otherwise prone to superstition supporting self-reliance within local miners and artisans emergency assistance in times of need.

Workshops are held for local miners to teach prospecting best-practices as well as dispel myths regarding the sources, composition, and sustainable practices regarding diamonds. In addition, DfP teaches these community members about competitive pricing and fair market value, as it is common for workers to earn less than $2/day for diamonds that are sold for magnitudes more in the marketplace. There are also initiatives to improve the health of the communities, through education regarding public sanitation and providing facilities for personal hygiene.

DfP has recently kicked off an initiative in regard to fighting climate change. Many of DfP’s projects are based in Liberia, home to the Guinean Forest of West Africa, a vital ecosystem that supports biodiversity and mitigates climate change. For just $12, you can help DfP plant a tree in Liberia, fight against climate change and protect a precious ecosystem. In addition, your donation will enable artisanal miners to increase their income through sustainable forestry practices (e.g. growing seedlings, regular watering, and the produce they can grow), thereby helping them to obtain legal mining licenses to sell their diamonds on the legitimate market. This will not only reduce illegal mining and diamond smuggling but also provide a more sustainable livelihood for miners and their families. All donors will receive a personalized tree certificate and a photo of their planted tree. As a special thank you, donors who contribute 20 trees (USD240) or more will have their name placed on a small plaque at the planting site

If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or just learning more, please visit their website or reach out to Guild Board Member and DfP Volunteer, Amy Hsieh. There are a variety of volunteer positions that can take place remotely.