we all want to save the world and we all want to help those in need.
In this video, Joseph, a survivor of the Sierra Leone civil war, speaks to me and other students in my school about his ability to survive. Joseph tells us he was only eight years old when the rebels attacked his village. His entire family was forced to hide in the bush and for weeks they had to travel on foot to their grandparent's home. However, a month later the R.U.F. attacked the village where Joseph was staying. In order to survive, Joseph and his family had to leave his grandmother behind and she died a few days later due to being unable to mobilize. Soon after, Joseph and his dad were arrested and taken to the Liberian holding center. There, Joseph recounted the smell of rotting flesh and tears of the strongest men he knew. One night a man had cried for ten hours and finally when he quieted, he was taken out of the prison, his death had silenced him. Many died from disease and lack of food in the prison. After months, Joseph and his father were released and forced to walk to Joseph's uncle's house through the jungle for days. They had to be completely silent or else the R.U.F. would capture them and enslave them to work in the diamond minds. He recalled once he got to his uncle's house the sound the bullets had made as they crossed in front and behind him. He told us he has no idea why he is here today but he has utilized the sparing of his life to rebuild the Sierra Leone and Liberian society. Through his program the Jeneba Project, he has focused on the need for schools in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Although the horrors of blood diamonds have lessened, Sierra Leone and Liberia are still suffering. Please spread this message and go onto the website (http://www.jenebaproject.org) to help. Joseph and the people of Sierra Leone and Liberia need our help. Always remember, what if it had been you?
