Children are at risk
In Guinea 75% of the country’s population are under the age of 35. Around 72% of Guinean children suffer from multidimensional poverty. Multidimensional poverty measures poverty beyond the lack of money and includes things such as life expectancy, access to education and basic infrastructure. Neonatal and infant mortality rates haven’t decreased in the past years. Many children lack the proper nutrition to grow at a healthy rate. The majority of children also don’t have access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
30%
Of children under the age of 5 are too small for their age
Food insecurity
Many people in Guinea struggle with poverty and food insecurity.
21% of households are food insecure, which means that they lack regular access to nutritious food. As a result 30% of children under the age of 5 are too small for their age.
Children who don’t get the nourishment they need are at risk of getting sick and more likely to die from common childhood diseases.
95
Children (per 1000 live births) die before the age of 5
Under-five mortality
Guinea has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in the region. Many young children die from preventable diseases such as polio, measles, malaria or yellow fever.
95 children (per 1000 live births) die before they reach the age of 5. The figure reflects the social, economic and environmental conditions in which children live. For example, the access of children and communities to things like basic health care, vaccinations and adequate nutrition.
91%
Of women have undergone female genital mutilation
Women’s health
Guinea has the second highest incidence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the world.
The World Health Organization defines FGM as “the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” It is a harmful practice that violates the rights and negatively impacts the well-being of girls.
Even though the government has banned FGM, many people in Guinea still think FGM is an acceptable practice.
Together we can make a difference for children in Guinea
23,070
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
180
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
Are supported on their way to independence
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Thanks to the support that SOS Children’s Villages offers, children can grow up in a safe environment. They can attend school, alongside other children from the local community and spend their spare time together (Photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Guinea).
Working together for sustainable development
In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15 year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and train parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
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GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives