Guinea

After schools were closed for months during the height of the Ebola crisis, ChildFund worked to supply schools with soap, hand-washing stations and clean water so students would be safe upon their return. We also coordinated with local government, community groups and other organizations to spread awareness of hygiene practices and other behavior that would help prevent further Ebola infections. ChildFund also provided school kits and other resources to families that had been affected by the virus. Families affected by Ebola often had their belongings destroyed to prevent the spread of the virus, so ChildFund provided school materials and resources to these families so they could rebuild their lives.

Aside from Ebola-related activities, ChildFund distributed bicycles to 200 children in 2015 and organized 200 children’s clubs, which give young people a chance to talk to peers about issues affecting them at home, at school and in their communities.

More than 6,500 members of Guinea’s youth groups, which are supported by ChildFund, helped us spread the word about Ebola prevention measures to more than a quarter million people in nine communities. Often, youth were able to change attitudes and conquer pervasive and harmful myths about the deadly virus. They were able to create a bridge between frightened community members and health-care providers from outside organizations, getting sick people the help they needed.

Also, ChildFund supports youth efforts to raise awareness about early marriage and violence against children, and we provided school materials to 7,000 teens in 2015.