- Population - 10,601,009
- Infant Mortality Rate - 61.03 deaths/1,000 live births
- Life Expectancy – 58.11 years
- Population below poverty line - 49%
- Year ChildFund entered Guinea – 2005
Quick Facts
- The main language spoken in Guinea is French. Indigenous languages are also spoken.
- The main religions are Christian, Muslim and indigenous beliefs.
- Guinea’s main industries are: Bauxite (is the main source of aluminium), gold, diamonds, alumina refining and light manufacturing. Its main sources of agriculture are: Rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cattle and timber. It mains exports are: Bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds and coffee.
- Guinea’s climate is generally hot and humid. It has two main seasons; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) and the dry season (December to May).
- Guinea celebrates its independence day on the 2nd of October each year.
- The annual population growth rate of Guinea is approximately 2.3%.
- The currency is the Guinean Franc.
Priority Issues
- 12% of infants born between the years 2005-2009 were underweight.
- Only 36% of Guinea’s population are literate.
- Although Guinea’s mineral wealth makes it potentially one of Africa’s richest countries, its people (approximately 10 million) are among the poorest in West Africa with a per capita GDP of less than $350 (2008).
- Guinea is currently faced with inadequate levels of pre-natal and post-natal health care, and the increasingly high incidence of malaria, diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, as well as malnutrition causes high mortality among children.
- Cultural, community, family and individual belief systems, practices and policies contribute immensely to the high incidence of infant mortality and morbidity.
- Guinea has had a turbulent history since independence from France in 1958. A military government ruled following the death of the first president. Democratic elections were held in 1993 when the head of the military government was elected President of the civilian government. When he died in December 2008, another military coup followed and the constitution was suspended. Political tensions culminated in September 2009 when over 150 people were killed during an opposition rally. A transitional government was installed and following democratic elections, Alpha Conde was declared President in December 2010. Parliamentary elections are due to be held in 2011.
ChildFund Intervention
ChildFund started working in Guinea in 2005 with a focus on education and health. A number of quick-impact Early Childhood Development programmes provided a strong education foundation. ChildFund Ireland’s programme in Guinea focuses on health activities but using an integrated approach that will promote sustainability. The “Integrated Health Project for Vulnerable Children and Women in Rural Guinea”, which is funded by Irish Aid through a block grant to ChildFund Ireland, promotes the healthy development of vulnerable children and women in hard-to-access rural communities in the regions of Kindia, Dabola and Mamou. This comprehensive project includes a range of health components, taking into account the fact that both physical and mental health need to be achieved and maintained for people to develop to their full potential. It supports the treatment of widespread diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea, while also addressing issues such as gender based violence. Through the use of participatory approaches, the project provides a means for survivors to voice their needs. It supports the basic needs of girl mothers who do not have the benefit of local protection mechanisms. The security and dignity of women and children are promoted by listening carefully to their interpretation of their present reality and to their own ideas about solutions to their problems. By focusing on maternal and child health, the health situation of entire communities could be improved. The sustainability of the approach is enhanced by the close cooperation with government structures and local organisations, the Mounafanyi Federation in Kindia, the Denkadi Federation in Dabola and the Nafa Ya Federation in Mamou.
Currently, ChildFund is also implementing an AWAS funded family hygiene programme in Faranah Municipality providing latrines and empowering community members especially women and girls, with the knowledge and skills to improve their hygiene practices.
Today about 6,000 children are sponsored in Guinea with a further 6,000 waiting for sponsorship. Despite the political uncertainty, life in the rural areas where ChildFund works continues largely unaffected apart from some delays.
