Resource information
This report examines the living conditions of children and youth under 18 years old involved in diamond-related activities. The report documents the production of process of diamonds in Kono District in Sierra Leone; specifies characteristics of the young miners and those involved in various support functions; and identifies the most vulnerable groups of children and adolescents involved in the process.The report finds that:55 percent of the children interviewed in this survey originate from Kono. Many of these work part-time in the diamond fields to pay for their school fees in order to save money to go back to schoolthe authors identify the most vulnerable group as those in the youngest age group (5-9 years), not originating from Kono and living without their parentsmost of the children claim that they started in their current job because they were encouraged or forced by their family or friendsvery few of the children and youth involved in diamond mining would like to continue with their current activities.Recommendations from the report include:a programme subsidising school fees is needed to improve access to educationthere should be improved regulation of the distribution of medical drugs, in combination with more emphgasis on medical counselling given at local health clinics and by village birth attendancesinformation about diamonds should be included in the local school curriculumstakeholders should combine a long-term perspective - improved governance of the diamond trade - with medium and short-term programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the children who must search for work in order to survive.
