Plan Guinea Annual Program Report 2007

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Guinea

Real progress

Although Guinea has great potential mineral wealth, most people live in poverty.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Guinea are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year, our work included:

Nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule have left the economy struggling and there have been strikes and unrest.

Plan’s main challenge is to make sure that children and families receive the support they need despite the country’s current difficulties. Plan’s areas of work include education, health, and improving living conditions. Children are vulnerable to preventable diseases and malnutrition: one third suffer from stunted growth.

Openness and good management are crucial in changing lives for the better, and Plan trains and supports communities to take part in decisions that are made about issues that affect them. Getting children’s voices heard is particularly important because child labour, female genital cutting and early marriage are widespread. Plan runs children’s clubs and parliaments to promote children’s rights.

p Getting children’ s voices heard is crucial to raising the issue of children’s rights

Education is also central to our work, and in this Country Progress Report, we showcase one project which has been successful in improving levels of literacy in rural Guinea.

Guinea country facts People who have safe drinking water: 50%

Population: 9.2 million Capital: Conakry UN Human Development Index ranking: 160th (of 177 countries)

Primary-age children in school: 57% Children aged 5 to 14 involved in child labour: 26%

• Promoting children’s rights and child protection by celebrating the Month of the Guinean Child and Day of the African Child, with UNICEF and the Children’s Ministry

books provided to villages

• Constructing 16 wells and drilling 26 community and school boreholes, improving drinking water supplies and reducing water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and cholera

• Training 408 health workers in healthcare, childhood illnesses and contraception, improving basic community healthcare, and providing basic medicines.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

GIN

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Guinea

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Guinea 20.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 Client proof: 3 5

p We are bu ilding wells an d drilling boreh rural Guinea oles across

• Promoting birth registration, with 7,767 birth registry

(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UNICEF)

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Guinea

Real progress

Although Guinea has great potential mineral wealth, most people live in poverty.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Guinea are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year, our work included:

Nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule have left the economy struggling and there have been strikes and unrest.

Plan’s main challenge is to make sure that children and families receive the support they need despite the country’s current difficulties. Plan’s areas of work include education, health, and improving living conditions. Children are vulnerable to preventable diseases and malnutrition: one third suffer from stunted growth.

Openness and good management are crucial in changing lives for the better, and Plan trains and supports communities to take part in decisions that are made about issues that affect them. Getting children’s voices heard is particularly important because child labour, female genital cutting and early marriage are widespread. Plan runs children’s clubs and parliaments to promote children’s rights.

p Getting children’ s voices heard is crucial to raising the issue of children’s rights

Education is also central to our work, and in this Country Progress Report, we showcase one project which has been successful in improving levels of literacy in rural Guinea.

Guinea country facts People who have safe drinking water: 50%

Population: 9.2 million Capital: Conakry UN Human Development Index ranking: 160th (of 177 countries)

Primary-age children in school: 57% Children aged 5 to 14 involved in child labour: 26%

• Promoting children’s rights and child protection by celebrating the Month of the Guinean Child and Day of the African Child, with UNICEF and the Children’s Ministry

books provided to villages

• Constructing 16 wells and drilling 26 community and school boreholes, improving drinking water supplies and reducing water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and cholera

• Training 408 health workers in healthcare, childhood illnesses and contraception, improving basic community healthcare, and providing basic medicines.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

GIN

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Guinea

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Guinea 20.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 Client proof: 3 5

p We are bu ilding wells an d drilling boreh rural Guinea oles across

• Promoting birth registration, with 7,767 birth registry

(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UNICEF)

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007

148.5mm INSIDE

The value of reading Too many young people in Guinea don’t get a good basic education and many leave school unable to read or write.

This is particularly true of girls and those living in rural areas. The longterm effects are damaging, for children themselves and for the country as a whole. Less than a third of adults can read and write, restricting Guinea’s ability to make economic and social progress.

In the community of Gbangbadou, in Southern Guinea, a new project showed how helping children with their reading can have remarkable positive effects on other aspects of their lives as well. The project improved children’s reading, but it also did something else just as important: it gave children a space to meet together and talk about their lives. And it also made them enthusiastic about going to school.

The community worked in partnership with local education authorities, and Plan gave financial support. Different community groups with all kinds of experience helped make the project happen. Each had a different responsibility, from supplying and maintaining reading materials to supporting teachers.

148.5mm INSIDE

Those involved are impressed with what has been achieved. The President of the Parents’ Association at a local school says: “This project not only improved reading and writing, but more especially gave them a framework for getting together.”

One mother comments: “I thank Plan for its support for the initiative and the young people of the village for their availability and the support for their younger brothers and sisters. We mums are very relieved because now we know where our children go every night.”

New confidence p Girls at a literacy group

Parents and pupils built shelters for meeting places in the different villages that make up Gbangbadou. Secondary school and college students were called in to help, and led children’s reading groups. Representatives of the district education authority, responsible for teaching quality, visited throughout the year.

Impressive results Half-way through the project, an evaluation was carried out and the results were remarkable. The number of children who could read more than doubled, up from 31% to 68%.

Children and young people have gained confidence with their new-found skills.

One teenager says: “I am very proud to be able to help my brothers and sisters with my knowledge. I bring something to the children but I also improve my French [Guinea’s official language] thanks to the teachers’ support.”

“I am very proud to be able to help my brothers and sisters with my knowledge.”

146.5mm INSIDE

New enthusiasm is noticeable in the classroom, too. One girl said: “Since the project started, many of us, especially the girls, don’t feel shame any more in

The experiences of children and parents in Gbangbadou show that supporting schools brings benefits for the wider community, and a shared sense of pride.

class. We are more trusting and we all want to read the texts written on the blackboard, which isn’t how it was before!”

A teacher in Gbangbadou, says: “I am very proud that the children, parents, teachers and communities are satisfied, and I thank Plan for its support for this project, the first of its kind in the area.”

The local education authority hopes to encourage other areas to follow the example of Gbangbadou. Its representative congratulated the community, saying: “The project is a first and must be followed by the other schools in Kissidougou.”

This project is part of Plan’s education programme to increase the numbers of children attending primary school as well as making sure that education is good quality. We train teachers, provide teaching materials, build classrooms, and support the Ministry of Education in supervising teachers and inspecting schools.

p Learning the basics: a childr en’s reading and writing class

This project is part of Plan’s education programme to increase the numbers of children attending primary school as well as making sure that education is good quality.

Some names have been changed for privacy and child protection reasons.

148.5mm INSIDE

The value of reading Too many young people in Guinea don’t get a good basic education and many leave school unable to read or write.

This is particularly true of girls and those living in rural areas. The longterm effects are damaging, for children themselves and for the country as a whole. Less than a third of adults can read and write, restricting Guinea’s ability to make economic and social progress.

In the community of Gbangbadou, in Southern Guinea, a new project showed how helping children with their reading can have remarkable positive effects on other aspects of their lives as well. The project improved children’s reading, but it also did something else just as important: it gave children a space to meet together and talk about their lives. And it also made them enthusiastic about going to school.

The community worked in partnership with local education authorities, and Plan gave financial support. Different community groups with all kinds of experience helped make the project happen. Each had a different responsibility, from supplying and maintaining reading materials to supporting teachers.

148.5mm INSIDE

Those involved are impressed with what has been achieved. The President of the Parents’ Association at a local school says: “This project not only improved reading and writing, but more especially gave them a framework for getting together.”

One mother comments: “I thank Plan for its support for the initiative and the young people of the village for their availability and the support for their younger brothers and sisters. We mums are very relieved because now we know where our children go every night.”

New confidence p Girls at a literacy group

Parents and pupils built shelters for meeting places in the different villages that make up Gbangbadou. Secondary school and college students were called in to help, and led children’s reading groups. Representatives of the district education authority, responsible for teaching quality, visited throughout the year.

Impressive results Half-way through the project, an evaluation was carried out and the results were remarkable. The number of children who could read more than doubled, up from 31% to 68%.

Children and young people have gained confidence with their new-found skills.

One teenager says: “I am very proud to be able to help my brothers and sisters with my knowledge. I bring something to the children but I also improve my French [Guinea’s official language] thanks to the teachers’ support.”

“I am very proud to be able to help my brothers and sisters with my knowledge.”

146.5mm INSIDE

New enthusiasm is noticeable in the classroom, too. One girl said: “Since the project started, many of us, especially the girls, don’t feel shame any more in

The experiences of children and parents in Gbangbadou show that supporting schools brings benefits for the wider community, and a shared sense of pride.

class. We are more trusting and we all want to read the texts written on the blackboard, which isn’t how it was before!”

A teacher in Gbangbadou, says: “I am very proud that the children, parents, teachers and communities are satisfied, and I thank Plan for its support for this project, the first of its kind in the area.”

The local education authority hopes to encourage other areas to follow the example of Gbangbadou. Its representative congratulated the community, saying: “The project is a first and must be followed by the other schools in Kissidougou.”

This project is part of Plan’s education programme to increase the numbers of children attending primary school as well as making sure that education is good quality. We train teachers, provide teaching materials, build classrooms, and support the Ministry of Education in supervising teachers and inspecting schools.

p Learning the basics: a childr en’s reading and writing class

This project is part of Plan’s education programme to increase the numbers of children attending primary school as well as making sure that education is good quality.

Some names have been changed for privacy and child protection reasons.

148.5mm INSIDE

The value of reading Too many young people in Guinea don’t get a good basic education and many leave school unable to read or write.

This is particularly true of girls and those living in rural areas. The longterm effects are damaging, for children themselves and for the country as a whole. Less than a third of adults can read and write, restricting Guinea’s ability to make economic and social progress.

In the community of Gbangbadou, in Southern Guinea, a new project showed how helping children with their reading can have remarkable positive effects on other aspects of their lives as well. The project improved children’s reading, but it also did something else just as important: it gave children a space to meet together and talk about their lives. And it also made them enthusiastic about going to school.

The community worked in partnership with local education authorities, and Plan gave financial support. Different community groups with all kinds of experience helped make the project happen. Each had a different responsibility, from supplying and maintaining reading materials to supporting teachers.

148.5mm INSIDE

Those involved are impressed with what has been achieved. The President of the Parents’ Association at a local school says: “This project not only improved reading and writing, but more especially gave them a framework for getting together.”

One mother comments: “I thank Plan for its support for the initiative and the young people of the village for their availability and the support for their younger brothers and sisters. We mums are very relieved because now we know where our children go every night.”

New confidence p Girls at a literacy group

Parents and pupils built shelters for meeting places in the different villages that make up Gbangbadou. Secondary school and college students were called in to help, and led children’s reading groups. Representatives of the district education authority, responsible for teaching quality, visited throughout the year.

Impressive results Half-way through the project, an evaluation was carried out and the results were remarkable. The number of children who could read more than doubled, up from 31% to 68%.

Children and young people have gained confidence with their new-found skills.

One teenager says: “I am very proud to be able to help my brothers and sisters with my knowledge. I bring something to the children but I also improve my French [Guinea’s official language] thanks to the teachers’ support.”

“I am very proud to be able to help my brothers and sisters with my knowledge.”

146.5mm INSIDE

New enthusiasm is noticeable in the classroom, too. One girl said: “Since the project started, many of us, especially the girls, don’t feel shame any more in

The experiences of children and parents in Gbangbadou show that supporting schools brings benefits for the wider community, and a shared sense of pride.

class. We are more trusting and we all want to read the texts written on the blackboard, which isn’t how it was before!”

A teacher in Gbangbadou, says: “I am very proud that the children, parents, teachers and communities are satisfied, and I thank Plan for its support for this project, the first of its kind in the area.”

The local education authority hopes to encourage other areas to follow the example of Gbangbadou. Its representative congratulated the community, saying: “The project is a first and must be followed by the other schools in Kissidougou.”

This project is part of Plan’s education programme to increase the numbers of children attending primary school as well as making sure that education is good quality. We train teachers, provide teaching materials, build classrooms, and support the Ministry of Education in supervising teachers and inspecting schools.

p Learning the basics: a childr en’s reading and writing class

This project is part of Plan’s education programme to increase the numbers of children attending primary school as well as making sure that education is good quality.

Some names have been changed for privacy and child protection reasons.

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Guinea

Real progress

Although Guinea has great potential mineral wealth, most people live in poverty.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Guinea are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year, our work included:

Nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule have left the economy struggling and there have been strikes and unrest.

Plan’s main challenge is to make sure that children and families receive the support they need despite the country’s current difficulties. Plan’s areas of work include education, health, and improving living conditions. Children are vulnerable to preventable diseases and malnutrition: one third suffer from stunted growth.

Openness and good management are crucial in changing lives for the better, and Plan trains and supports communities to take part in decisions that are made about issues that affect them. Getting children’s voices heard is particularly important because child labour, female genital cutting and early marriage are widespread. Plan runs children’s clubs and parliaments to promote children’s rights.

p Getting children’ s voices heard is crucial to raising the issue of children’s rights

Education is also central to our work, and in this Country Progress Report, we showcase one project which has been successful in improving levels of literacy in rural Guinea.

Guinea country facts People who have safe drinking water: 50%

Population: 9.2 million Capital: Conakry UN Human Development Index ranking: 160th (of 177 countries)

Primary-age children in school: 57% Children aged 5 to 14 involved in child labour: 26%

• Promoting children’s rights and child protection by celebrating the Month of the Guinean Child and Day of the African Child, with UNICEF and the Children’s Ministry

books provided to villages

• Constructing 16 wells and drilling 26 community and school boreholes, improving drinking water supplies and reducing water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and cholera

• Training 408 health workers in healthcare, childhood illnesses and contraception, improving basic community healthcare, and providing basic medicines.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

GIN

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Guinea

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Guinea 20.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 Client proof: 3 5

p We are bu ilding wells an d drilling boreh rural Guinea oles across

• Promoting birth registration, with 7,767 birth registry

(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UNICEF)

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007