A summer research-outreach opportunity in northern Tanzania brought Wheaton College students into contact with indigenous leaders trying to undo the terrible effects of long years of "Robber Barron" colonial resource exploitation. In particular, the sad stories of locals compelled to mine gemstones (for rich-nation companies, to be sold to the wealthy) were most disturbing. Two men
told of working for no salary in horrible underground
pits. Their only motivation was an expectation to steal small amounts of rough gems for themselves. However, if they were ever caught, the pit guards would murder them on site. Other people by the many thousands subsist around the mines with hope of finding something of value from the leftovers of mining. Prostitution, alcohol poisoning, extreme murder rates, an horrendous AIDS epedemic all attest to the inhuman conditions brought about by the lust for mineral profit.
Instead of helpless paralysis, the students declared action to counter the lack of jobs and destruction of human dignity. A plan is being devised to obtain significant amounts of local RUBY-IN-ZOISITE gem material and train locals to carve and polish the material into small and dramatically-beautiful pendants of the African continent. Each piece shows green (zoisite), black (hornblende) and red (ruby) in unique patterns. The ultimate hope is to market the pieces for sale as wonderful symbols of support for the people. A well-advertised campaign could potentially raise millions of dollars to be used as A) decent salary for artisans, b) investment in job-training programs, and c) the construction of schools. We seek a "miracle" in getting high-profile celebrities to do promotion and generate demand.