Pictures from the 2002 Girls Conference in Kankan
Matt talking to the girls.
Every year, a conference for girls was organised in each regional capital. Every volunteer brought in one or two girls from their village for three-four days of talks and activities designed to discuss all the issues surrounding being a girl in Guinea. There were sessions on education, sexual health, excision, gender roles, as well as a career day and more recreational activities. Both years, I led a session along with Josh on improving study skills. Upon return from the conference, the girls were supposed to share what they had learned with their peers. Being selected to go to Girls Conferenence was quite an honour. For me, it was one of the more meaningful activities that I participated in.
Jenn leading the reading session. Each girl was given her own book.
The girls participating in an activity on gender roles
A group pictures of the girls from Siguiri prefecture along with Amanda on me from the last day.
Another group picture of some of the girls and the Guinean women who presented.
The three girls we brought: Damba Gare, Fanta Sangare, and Mariame Diallo at the fete on the last night with their certificates. We thought Fanta was really scantily dressed, which I find really funny now. But she was showing her knees, which was a big deal in Guinea.
Peace Corps humour: Annie in her fete boubou.