Hands for Africa’s Founder, Alton Harding, grew up in Sierra Leone. Today, he gives back to his community.

It all started after some time away from Sierra Leone. When Alton returned to his home, he was appalled at what he saw. He found his home plagued by a civil war that was fueled by the blood diamond trade.

Although the civil war ended in the early 2000s, many people living in countries like Sierra Leone continue to experience severe hardships. Harding’s organization, Hands for Africa, helps survivors from the civil war by giving them an opportunity to live a normal life again.

Since 2010, Hands for Africa has been working with survivors to spread awareness to the global community. The organization provides innocent civil war survivors with tools that enable them to become self-reliant. Specifically, Hands for Africa fosters the immediate needs of survivors, including food, water, clothing, and shelter. Additionally, Hands for Africa develops and implements successful programs that allocate prosthetics with rehabilitation, as well as educational scholarships to break the cycle of poverty.

The result is a community of individuals capable of supporting themselves and their families. 

Hands for Africa’s programs have a significant impact on the lives of blood diamond survivors in Sierra Leone, which only expands as time progresses.

Unfortunately, the government of Sierra Leone does not have an official or estimated number on how many people are living as amputees as a result of the civil war, but it is estimated that 500,000 are displaced.

Further, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that the literacy rate in Sierra Leone for ages 15 and older is less than half. And less than 3% of Sierra Leone’s gross domestic product (GDP) is spent on education.

A shocking 70.2% of the estimated population falls below the poverty line, making most families financially incapable of providing an education for their children.

The CIA also reports a 60% youth unemployment rate attributed to these failures in education.

Job opportunities are hard to come by as Sierra Leone’s main industries include agriculture and ore mining. These manual labor jobs dominate the economy, making it hard for civil war amputees to make a living.

Clearly, the fallout of the civil war and the blood diamond trade have not only disabled thousands of Sierra Leoneans, but the outcomes continue to disadvantage these victims.

Luckily, Hands for Africa has become the voice of those who have been negatively impacted by conflict diamonds. Hands for Africa’s programs aid survivors’ physical mobility and education, providing direct change to the lives of these survivors.

Some of the projects that Hands for Africa is currently working on include the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Program, the Immediate Relief Program, and the HandsUpScholars Program.

Training and rehabilitation programs are provided to help the survivors become accustomed to their new prosthetics. Participants in rehabilitation generally feel better and face fewer complications, all of which lead to better health, greater integration back into the workforce, and restored hope for the future.

The prosthetics program, implemented at the time of Hands for Africa’s founding, is the longest running program out of the three. This program aims to provide prosthetic limbs to adults and children who have been maimed by machetes or explosive devices.

Adult and child amputees are offered customized prosthetics and the opportunity to engage in rehabilitation programs. Training and rehabilitation programs are provided to help the survivors become accustomed to their new prosthetics.

Participants in rehabilitation generally feel better and face fewer complications, all of which lead to better health, greater integration back into the workforce, and restored hope for the future.

The cost of manufacturing prosthetics ranges from $50 for prosthetic arms and $100 for a prosthetic leg. All of these services are provided at no cost to the recipients. Over time, Hands for Africa provides replacements for normal wear and tear on the prosthetics.

Additionally, as child recipients grow, HFA provides them with new, properly sized prosthetics. Because of the generosity of donors, these recipients are able to use their new “limbs” to get back into the workforce, school, and sports.

Hands for Africa has already provided over 150 prosthetics to those in need and is determined to continue helping more individuals in need.

The Immediate Relief Program, on the other hand, aims to provide immediate resources to individuals in need. Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone has faced multiple tragedies that have exacerbated the poverty of the country. Survivors of the civil war have not only faced continuous struggles from the fallout of blood diamond trade but have also been greatly affected by the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the most recent mudslide that demolished the capital of Freetown in August of this past year.

During tragedies like these, Hands for Africa is committed to helping those in need by working with local shelters, hospitals, and grassroots organizations. The Immediate Relief Program is important to Hands for Africa because of its belief in giving a “hand up.”

With the necessary resources, including food, water, medical provisions, blankets, and temporary shelter, victims are able to overcome catastrophes. Hands for Africa has raised over $20,000 towards Ebola relief and rebuilding Freetown.

The final program, HandsUpScholars, provides the opportunity to escape poverty by setting a foundation for lifelong benefits. Unfortunately, children in Sierra Leone are often denied an opportunity to escape poverty because of unfair restraints. Children are often responsible for providing for their families, most frequently because their parents are permanently disabled as a result of the civil war.

Furthermore, the cost of an education in Sierra Leone does not fit into most families’ budgets, as the average income in Sierra Leone is only $140 a year. In response, Hands for Africa provides scholarships of $250 to children of amputee survivors.

These scholarships cover the cost of tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, meals, transportation costs, and a small stipend for an entire year. This essential support creates a lifetime of opportunity not only for each child but for their entire family. 75 scholarships have been given to students with renewals each year based on academic performance.

Hands for Africa’s Founder, Alton Harding, grew up in Sierra Leone. Today, he gives back to his community.

It all started after some time away from Sierra Leone. When Alton returned to his home, he was appalled at what he saw. He found his home plagued by a civil war that was fueled by the blood diamond trade.

Although the civil war ended in the early 2000s, many people living in countries like Sierra Leone continue to experience severe hardships. Harding’s organization, Hands for Africa, helps survivors from the civil war by giving them an opportunity to live a normal life again.

Since 2010, Hands for Africa has been working with survivors to spread awareness to the global community. The organization provides innocent civil war survivors with tools that enable them to become self-reliant. Specifically, Hands for Africa fosters the immediate needs of survivors, including food, water, clothing, and shelter. Additionally, Hands for Africa develops and implements successful programs that allocate prosthetics with rehabilitation, as well as educational scholarships to break the cycle of poverty.

The result is a community of individuals capable of supporting themselves and their families. 

Hands for Africa’s programs have a significant impact on the lives of blood diamond survivors in Sierra Leone, which only expands as time progresses.

Unfortunately, the government of Sierra Leone does not have an official or estimated number on how many people are living as amputees as a result of the civil war, but it is estimated that 500,000 are displaced.

Further, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that the literacy rate in Sierra Leone for ages 15 and older is less than half. And less than 3% of Sierra Leone’s gross domestic product (GDP) is spent on education.

A shocking 70.2% of the estimated population falls below the poverty line, making most families financially incapable of providing an education for their children.

The CIA also reports a 60% youth unemployment rate attributed to these failures in education.

Job opportunities are hard to come by as Sierra Leone’s main industries include agriculture and ore mining. These manual labor jobs dominate the economy, making it hard for civil war amputees to make a living.

Clearly, the fallout of the civil war and the blood diamond trade have not only disabled thousands of Sierra Leoneans, but the outcomes continue to disadvantage these victims.

Luckily, Hands for Africa has become the voice of those who have been negatively impacted by conflict diamonds. Hands for Africa’s programs aid survivors’ physical mobility and education, providing direct change to the lives of these survivors.

Some of the projects that Hands for Africa is currently working on include the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Program, the Immediate Relief Program, and the HandsUpScholars Program.

Training and rehabilitation programs are provided to help the survivors become accustomed to their new prosthetics. Participants in rehabilitation generally feel better and face fewer complications, all of which lead to better health, greater integration back into the workforce, and restored hope for the future.

The prosthetics program, implemented at the time of Hands for Africa’s founding, is the longest running program out of the three. This program aims to provide prosthetic limbs to adults and children who have been maimed by machetes or explosive devices.

Adult and child amputees are offered customized prosthetics and the opportunity to engage in rehabilitation programs. Training and rehabilitation programs are provided to help the survivors become accustomed to their new prosthetics.

Participants in rehabilitation generally feel better and face fewer complications, all of which lead to better health, greater integration back into the workforce, and restored hope for the future.

The cost of manufacturing prosthetics ranges from $50 for prosthetic arms and $100 for a prosthetic leg. All of these services are provided at no cost to the recipients. Over time, Hands for Africa provides replacements for normal wear and tear on the prosthetics.

Additionally, as child recipients grow, HFA provides them with new, properly sized prosthetics. Because of the generosity of donors, these recipients are able to use their new “limbs” to get back into the workforce, school, and sports.

Hands for Africa has already provided over 150 prosthetics to those in need and is determined to continue helping more individuals in need.

The Immediate Relief Program, on the other hand, aims to provide immediate resources to individuals in need. Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone has faced multiple tragedies that have exacerbated the poverty of the country. Survivors of the civil war have not only faced continuous struggles from the fallout of blood diamond trade but have also been greatly affected by the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the most recent mudslide that demolished the capital of Freetown in August of this past year.

During tragedies like these, Hands for Africa is committed to helping those in need by working with local shelters, hospitals, and grassroots organizations. The Immediate Relief Program is important to Hands for Africa because of its belief in giving a “hand up.”

With the necessary resources, including food, water, medical provisions, blankets, and temporary shelter, victims are able to overcome catastrophes. Hands for Africa has raised over $20,000 towards Ebola relief and rebuilding Freetown.

The final program, HandsUpScholars, provides the opportunity to escape poverty by setting a foundation for lifelong benefits. Unfortunately, children in Sierra Leone are often denied an opportunity to escape poverty because of unfair restraints. Children are often responsible for providing for their families, most frequently because their parents are permanently disabled as a result of the civil war.

Furthermore, the cost of an education in Sierra Leone does not fit into most families’ budgets, as the average income in Sierra Leone is only $140 a year. In response, Hands for Africa provides scholarships of $250 to children of amputee survivors.

These scholarships cover the cost of tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, meals, transportation costs, and a small stipend for an entire year. This essential support creates a lifetime of opportunity not only for each child but for their entire family. 75 scholarships have been given to students with renewals each year based on academic performance.

Hands for Africa’s Founder, Alton Harding, grew up in Sierra Leone. Today, he gives back to his community.

It all started after some time away from Sierra Leone. When Alton returned to his home, he was appalled at what he saw. He found his home plagued by a civil war that was fueled by the blood diamond trade.

Although the civil war ended in the early 2000s, many people living in countries like Sierra Leone continue to experience severe hardships. Harding’s organization, Hands for Africa, helps survivors from the civil war by giving them an opportunity to live a normal life again.

Since 2010, Hands for Africa has been working with survivors to spread awareness to the global community. The organization provides innocent civil war survivors with tools that enable them to become self-reliant. Specifically, Hands for Africa fosters the immediate needs of survivors, including food, water, clothing, and shelter. Additionally, Hands for Africa develops and implements successful programs that allocate prosthetics with rehabilitation, as well as educational scholarships to break the cycle of poverty.

The result is a community of individuals capable of supporting themselves and their families. 

Hands for Africa’s programs have a significant impact on the lives of blood diamond survivors in Sierra Leone, which only expands as time progresses.

Unfortunately, the government of Sierra Leone does not have an official or estimated number on how many people are living as amputees as a result of the civil war, but it is estimated that 500,000 are displaced.

Further, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that the literacy rate in Sierra Leone for ages 15 and older is less than half. And less than 3% of Sierra Leone’s gross domestic product (GDP) is spent on education.

A shocking 70.2% of the estimated population falls below the poverty line, making most families financially incapable of providing an education for their children.

The CIA also reports a 60% youth unemployment rate attributed to these failures in education.

Job opportunities are hard to come by as Sierra Leone’s main industries include agriculture and ore mining. These manual labor jobs dominate the economy, making it hard for civil war amputees to make a living.

Clearly, the fallout of the civil war and the blood diamond trade have not only disabled thousands of Sierra Leoneans, but the outcomes continue to disadvantage these victims.

Luckily, Hands for Africa has become the voice of those who have been negatively impacted by conflict diamonds. Hands for Africa’s programs aid survivors’ physical mobility and education, providing direct change to the lives of these survivors.

Some of the projects that Hands for Africa is currently working on include the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Program, the Immediate Relief Program, and the HandsUpScholars Program.

Training and rehabilitation programs are provided to help the survivors become accustomed to their new prosthetics. Participants in rehabilitation generally feel better and face fewer complications, all of which lead to better health, greater integration back into the workforce, and restored hope for the future.

The prosthetics program, implemented at the time of Hands for Africa’s founding, is the longest running program out of the three. This program aims to provide prosthetic limbs to adults and children who have been maimed by machetes or explosive devices.

Adult and child amputees are offered customized prosthetics and the opportunity to engage in rehabilitation programs. Training and rehabilitation programs are provided to help the survivors become accustomed to their new prosthetics.

Participants in rehabilitation generally feel better and face fewer complications, all of which lead to better health, greater integration back into the workforce, and restored hope for the future.

The cost of manufacturing prosthetics ranges from $50 for prosthetic arms and $100 for a prosthetic leg. All of these services are provided at no cost to the recipients. Over time, Hands for Africa provides replacements for normal wear and tear on the prosthetics.

Additionally, as child recipients grow, HFA provides them with new, properly sized prosthetics. Because of the generosity of donors, these recipients are able to use their new “limbs” to get back into the workforce, school, and sports.

Hands for Africa has already provided over 150 prosthetics to those in need and is determined to continue helping more individuals in need.

The Immediate Relief Program, on the other hand, aims to provide immediate resources to individuals in need. Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone has faced multiple tragedies that have exacerbated the poverty of the country. Survivors of the civil war have not only faced continuous struggles from the fallout of blood diamond trade but have also been greatly affected by the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the most recent mudslide that demolished the capital of Freetown in August of this past year.

During tragedies like these, Hands for Africa is committed to helping those in need by working with local shelters, hospitals, and grassroots organizations. The Immediate Relief Program is important to Hands for Africa because of its belief in giving a “hand up.”

With the necessary resources, including food, water, medical provisions, blankets, and temporary shelter, victims are able to overcome catastrophes. Hands for Africa has raised over $20,000 towards Ebola relief and rebuilding Freetown.

The final program, HandsUpScholars, provides the opportunity to escape poverty by setting a foundation for lifelong benefits. Unfortunately, children in Sierra Leone are often denied an opportunity to escape poverty because of unfair restraints. Children are often responsible for providing for their families, most frequently because their parents are permanently disabled as a result of the civil war.

Furthermore, the cost of an education in Sierra Leone does not fit into most families’ budgets, as the average income in Sierra Leone is only $140 a year. In response, Hands for Africa provides scholarships of $250 to children of amputee survivors.

These scholarships cover the cost of tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, meals, transportation costs, and a small stipend for an entire year. This essential support creates a lifetime of opportunity not only for each child but for their entire family. 75 scholarships have been given to students with renewals each year based on academic performance.