Real progressWith the support of Plan, children and adults inGuinea are working together to develop theircommunities and claim their right to a betterfuture. And real progress is being made. Last year, our work included:

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

• Promoting birth registration, with 7,767 birth registry books provided to villages

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

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

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effortcombining the hard work and determination ofcommunities, children, volunteers, staff, and partnerorganisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors isa vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity andcommitment that allows us to continue to help childrenin 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

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

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

GIN

We are building wells and drilling boreholes acrossrural Guinea

p

Challenge and change in GuineaAlthough Guinea has great potential mineral wealth, most people live in poverty.

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

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

Openness and good management are crucial in changing lives for the better, and Plantrains and supports communities to take part in decisions that are made about issues

that affect them. Getting children’s voicesheard is particularly important becausechild labour, female genital cutting andearly marriage are widespread. Plan runschildren’s clubs and parliaments topromote children’s rights.

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

Guinea country factsPopulation: 9.2 million

Capital: Conakry

UN Human Development Indexranking: 160th (of 177 countries)

People who have safe drinking water: 50%

Primary-age children in school: 57%

Children aged 5 to 14 involved inchild labour: 26%

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

Country ProgressReport 2007

Guinea

Admagic No:Bright No:

Client name:File name:

Date:Size:

Studio proof:

0407100647PLAN0407_Guinea20.11.07210x443.5mm FOLD TO A55 Client proof: 3

Any enquiries please contact:Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.comm: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150

Size (Prod) Colours(Prod) Art (A/D) Copy (C/W) Content (Acc.)

146.5mm FLAP 148.5mm BACK 148.5mm FRONT

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

p

Real progressWith the support of Plan, children and adults inGuinea are working together to develop theircommunities and claim their right to a betterfuture. And real progress is being made. Last year, our work included:

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

• Promoting birth registration, with 7,767 birth registry books provided to villages

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

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

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effortcombining the hard work and determination ofcommunities, children, volunteers, staff, and partnerorganisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors isa vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity andcommitment that allows us to continue to help childrenin 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

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

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

GIN

We are building wells and drilling boreholes acrossrural Guinea

p

Challenge and change in GuineaAlthough Guinea has great potential mineral wealth, most people live in poverty.

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

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

Openness and good management are crucial in changing lives for the better, and Plantrains and supports communities to take part in decisions that are made about issues

that affect them. Getting children’s voicesheard is particularly important becausechild labour, female genital cutting andearly marriage are widespread. Plan runschildren’s clubs and parliaments topromote children’s rights.

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

Guinea country factsPopulation: 9.2 million

Capital: Conakry

UN Human Development Indexranking: 160th (of 177 countries)

People who have safe drinking water: 50%

Primary-age children in school: 57%

Children aged 5 to 14 involved inchild labour: 26%

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

Country ProgressReport 2007

Guinea

Admagic No:Bright No:

Client name:File name:

Date:Size:

Studio proof:

0407100647PLAN0407_Guinea20.11.07210x443.5mm FOLD TO A55 Client proof: 3

Any enquiries please contact:Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.comm: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150

Size (Prod) Colours(Prod) Art (A/D) Copy (C/W) Content (Acc.)

146.5mm FLAP 148.5mm BACK 148.5mm FRONT

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

p

Those involved are impressed with whathas been achieved. The President of theParents’ Association at a local schoolsays: “This project not only improvedreading and writing, but more especiallygave them a framework for gettingtogether.”

One mother comments: “I thank Planfor its support for the initiative and theyoung people of the village for theiravailability and the support for theiryounger brothers and sisters. We mumsare very relieved because now we knowwhere our children go every night.”

New confidenceChildren and young people have gainedconfidence with their new-found skills.One teenager says: “I am very proud tobe able to help my brothers and sisterswith my knowledge. I bring somethingto the children but I also improve myFrench [Guinea’s official language]thanks to the teachers’ support.”

“I am very proud to be able tohelp my brothers and sisters withmy knowledge.”

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

class. We are more trusting and we all

want to read the texts written on the

blackboard, which isn’t how it was

before!”

The local education authority hopes toencourage other areas to follow theexample of Gbangbadou. Itsrepresentative congratulated thecommunity, saying: “The project is afirst and must be followed by the otherschools in Kissidougou.”

This project is part of Plan’s educationprogramme to increase the numbers ofchildren attending primary school aswell as making sure that education isgood quality. We train teachers, provideteaching materials, build classrooms,and support the Ministry of Educationin supervising teachers and inspectingschools.

148.5mm INSIDE 148.5mm INSIDE 146.5mm INSIDE

This is particularly true of girls andthose living in rural areas. The long-term effects are damaging, for childrenthemselves and for the country as awhole. Less than a third of adults canread and write, restricting Guinea’sability to make economic and socialprogress.

In the community of Gbangbadou, in Southern Guinea, a new projectshowed how helping children with theirreading can have remarkable positiveeffects on other aspects of their lives aswell. The project improved children’sreading, but it also did something elsejust as important: it gave children aspace to meet together and talk abouttheir lives. And it also made thementhusiastic about going to school.

The community worked in partnershipwith local education authorities, andPlan gave financial support. Differentcommunity groups with all kinds ofexperience helped make the projecthappen. Each had a differentresponsibility, from supplying andmaintaining reading materials tosupporting teachers.

Parents and pupils built shelters formeeting places in the different villagesthat make up Gbangbadou. Secondaryschool and college students were calledin to help, and led children’s readinggroups. Representatives of the districteducation authority, responsible forteaching quality, visited throughout the year.

Impressive resultsHalf-way through the project, anevaluation was carried out and theresults were remarkable. The number of children who could read more thandoubled, up from 31% to 68%.

The experiences of children and parents

in Gbangbadou show that supporting

schools brings benefits for the wider

community, and a shared sense of pride.

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.”

This project is part of Plan’seducation programme to increasethe numbers of childrenattending primary school as wellas making sure that education isgood quality.

Some names have been changed for privacy and childprotection reasons.

Girls at a literacy groupp

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

Learning the basics: a children’s reading and writing classp

Those involved are impressed with whathas been achieved. The President of theParents’ Association at a local schoolsays: “This project not only improvedreading and writing, but more especiallygave them a framework for gettingtogether.”

One mother comments: “I thank Planfor its support for the initiative and theyoung people of the village for theiravailability and the support for theiryounger brothers and sisters. We mumsare very relieved because now we knowwhere our children go every night.”

New confidenceChildren and young people have gainedconfidence with their new-found skills.One teenager says: “I am very proud tobe able to help my brothers and sisterswith my knowledge. I bring somethingto the children but I also improve myFrench [Guinea’s official language]thanks to the teachers’ support.”

“I am very proud to be able tohelp my brothers and sisters withmy knowledge.”

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

class. We are more trusting and we all

want to read the texts written on the

blackboard, which isn’t how it was

before!”

The local education authority hopes toencourage other areas to follow theexample of Gbangbadou. Itsrepresentative congratulated thecommunity, saying: “The project is afirst and must be followed by the otherschools in Kissidougou.”

This project is part of Plan’s educationprogramme to increase the numbers ofchildren attending primary school aswell as making sure that education isgood quality. We train teachers, provideteaching materials, build classrooms,and support the Ministry of Educationin supervising teachers and inspectingschools.

148.5mm INSIDE 148.5mm INSIDE 146.5mm INSIDE

This is particularly true of girls andthose living in rural areas. The long-term effects are damaging, for childrenthemselves and for the country as awhole. Less than a third of adults canread and write, restricting Guinea’sability to make economic and socialprogress.

In the community of Gbangbadou, in Southern Guinea, a new projectshowed how helping children with theirreading can have remarkable positiveeffects on other aspects of their lives aswell. The project improved children’sreading, but it also did something elsejust as important: it gave children aspace to meet together and talk abouttheir lives. And it also made thementhusiastic about going to school.

The community worked in partnershipwith local education authorities, andPlan gave financial support. Differentcommunity groups with all kinds ofexperience helped make the projecthappen. Each had a differentresponsibility, from supplying andmaintaining reading materials tosupporting teachers.

Parents and pupils built shelters formeeting places in the different villagesthat make up Gbangbadou. Secondaryschool and college students were calledin to help, and led children’s readinggroups. Representatives of the districteducation authority, responsible forteaching quality, visited throughout the year.

Impressive resultsHalf-way through the project, anevaluation was carried out and theresults were remarkable. The number of children who could read more thandoubled, up from 31% to 68%.

The experiences of children and parents

in Gbangbadou show that supporting

schools brings benefits for the wider

community, and a shared sense of pride.

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.”

This project is part of Plan’seducation programme to increasethe numbers of childrenattending primary school as wellas making sure that education isgood quality.

Some names have been changed for privacy and childprotection reasons.

Girls at a literacy groupp

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

Learning the basics: a children’s reading and writing classp

Those involved are impressed with whathas been achieved. The President of theParents’ Association at a local schoolsays: “This project not only improvedreading and writing, but more especiallygave them a framework for gettingtogether.”

One mother comments: “I thank Planfor its support for the initiative and theyoung people of the village for theiravailability and the support for theiryounger brothers and sisters. We mumsare very relieved because now we knowwhere our children go every night.”

New confidenceChildren and young people have gainedconfidence with their new-found skills.One teenager says: “I am very proud tobe able to help my brothers and sisterswith my knowledge. I bring somethingto the children but I also improve myFrench [Guinea’s official language]thanks to the teachers’ support.”

“I am very proud to be able tohelp my brothers and sisters withmy knowledge.”

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

class. We are more trusting and we all

want to read the texts written on the

blackboard, which isn’t how it was

before!”

The local education authority hopes toencourage other areas to follow theexample of Gbangbadou. Itsrepresentative congratulated thecommunity, saying: “The project is afirst and must be followed by the otherschools in Kissidougou.”

This project is part of Plan’s educationprogramme to increase the numbers ofchildren attending primary school aswell as making sure that education isgood quality. We train teachers, provideteaching materials, build classrooms,and support the Ministry of Educationin supervising teachers and inspectingschools.

148.5mm INSIDE 148.5mm INSIDE 146.5mm INSIDE

This is particularly true of girls andthose living in rural areas. The long-term effects are damaging, for childrenthemselves and for the country as awhole. Less than a third of adults canread and write, restricting Guinea’sability to make economic and socialprogress.

In the community of Gbangbadou, in Southern Guinea, a new projectshowed how helping children with theirreading can have remarkable positiveeffects on other aspects of their lives aswell. The project improved children’sreading, but it also did something elsejust as important: it gave children aspace to meet together and talk abouttheir lives. And it also made thementhusiastic about going to school.

The community worked in partnershipwith local education authorities, andPlan gave financial support. Differentcommunity groups with all kinds ofexperience helped make the projecthappen. Each had a differentresponsibility, from supplying andmaintaining reading materials tosupporting teachers.

Parents and pupils built shelters formeeting places in the different villagesthat make up Gbangbadou. Secondaryschool and college students were calledin to help, and led children’s readinggroups. Representatives of the districteducation authority, responsible forteaching quality, visited throughout the year.

Impressive resultsHalf-way through the project, anevaluation was carried out and theresults were remarkable. The number of children who could read more thandoubled, up from 31% to 68%.

The experiences of children and parents

in Gbangbadou show that supporting

schools brings benefits for the wider

community, and a shared sense of pride.

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.”

This project is part of Plan’seducation programme to increasethe numbers of childrenattending primary school as wellas making sure that education isgood quality.

Some names have been changed for privacy and childprotection reasons.

Girls at a literacy groupp

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

Learning the basics: a children’s reading and writing classp

Real progressWith the support of Plan, children and adults inGuinea are working together to develop theircommunities and claim their right to a betterfuture. And real progress is being made. Last year, our work included:

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

• Promoting birth registration, with 7,767 birth registry books provided to villages

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

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

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effortcombining the hard work and determination ofcommunities, children, volunteers, staff, and partnerorganisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors isa vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity andcommitment that allows us to continue to help childrenin 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

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

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

GIN

We are building wells and drilling boreholes acrossrural Guinea

p

Challenge and change in GuineaAlthough Guinea has great potential mineral wealth, most people live in poverty.

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

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

Openness and good management are crucial in changing lives for the better, and Plantrains and supports communities to take part in decisions that are made about issues

that affect them. Getting children’s voicesheard is particularly important becausechild labour, female genital cutting andearly marriage are widespread. Plan runschildren’s clubs and parliaments topromote children’s rights.

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

Guinea country factsPopulation: 9.2 million

Capital: Conakry

UN Human Development Indexranking: 160th (of 177 countries)

People who have safe drinking water: 50%

Primary-age children in school: 57%

Children aged 5 to 14 involved inchild labour: 26%

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

Country ProgressReport 2007

Guinea

Admagic No:Bright No:

Client name:File name:

Date:Size:

Studio proof:

0407100647PLAN0407_Guinea20.11.07210x443.5mm FOLD TO A55 Client proof: 3

Any enquiries please contact:Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.comm: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150

Size (Prod) Colours(Prod) Art (A/D) Copy (C/W) Content (Acc.)

146.5mm FLAP 148.5mm BACK 148.5mm FRONT

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

p