Guinea
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in the health sector and one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience
Additional skills that may make you a more competitive candidate:
• Studies related to Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, Community Health, Environmental Health, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, Biochemistry, Nutrition and Nursing.
• Work experience in public health, community health, and/or social services projects or programs.
• Familiarity with health work, particularly maternal and child health, and/or youth sexual and reproductive health (YSRH).
• Experience working in a public health related endeavor such as HIV/AIDS outreach, contraception and family planning, counseling, youth outreach, and/or community health programs.
• Demonstrated leadership experience or experience in community organizing and mobilization.
• A desire to work with rural community groups in grassroots health.
• A strong willingness to learn a local language of Guinea and a basic level of French.
The health program is expanding its reach in rural areas of Guinea. Volunteers are assigned to rural villages and small towns, where the need is greatest. These communities can range in size from several hundred to a few thousand people. Volunteers are expected to live at a level appropriate for their community in housing provided by the community. The Peace Corps works with communities to prepare housing and ensure that it is safe and secure, near a source of water, accessible to a market, and within walking distance of clear cell phone reception.
Houses are typically simple round with one to three room structures, with either metal or thatched roofs. Many are situated within a family compound. Public Health Educators live in communities that are located near rural health centers. Most Volunteer houses do not have electricity or running water. Houses may have an inside toilet and shower areas, but most have nearby or attached access to a private pit latrine with a bathing area.
A basic cell phone is given to Volunteers. Cell phone services improve each year but fluctuate by location. Phones work in almost all areas of the country, but internet access can be limited at the village level. During training, Volunteers are also provided with a one-time allowance to purchase a tablet in country. Current Volunteers have found it helpful to bring their own laptop for personal use in their community. Regional offices are also equipped with computers with internet access.
Personal appearance is important to the people of Guinea. During Pre-Service Training (PST), the standard professional dress code is business casual. Following PST, when you are placed in the community, you will need to dress appropriately for socializing in the community and for working. Respecting Guinean culture and tradition by dressing appropriately helps you gain respect in your host community. It will also facilitate integration and increase your credibility and effectiveness.
Volunteers are provided bikes for transport should they choose; however, many communities are within walking distance to the Volunteer’s worksite. For longer distances, Volunteers use small passenger vehicles to go into the regional capital or gain access to public transportation.
As most main meals, rice, maize, cassava, or local grain called “fonio” are eaten, along with leaves (like spinach and potato leaves), with a peanut or tomato-based sauce served with vegetables, meat, or fish. Fruits such as mangoes, avocados, pineapples, papayas, oranges, and limes are available seasonally. Vegetables are not as common, and those that are usually cooked into sauces. One of your goals is to work with community members to highlight the importance of eating available vegetables in new ways.
Though people in Guinea are generally tolerant, values and mores concerning sexual orientation and gender identity are well defined and there are restrictive laws that target certain sexual behaviors. Volunteers will need to be mindful of cultural norms and country-specific laws and use their best judgment to determine how to approach topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity in their communities. Staff and other currently serving Volunteers will address this topic during PST and identify some potential support mechanisms for incoming Trainees.
During your service, you will have an incredible experience that will have many challenges, but will undoubtedly bring incredible rewards as you develop social and working relationships with a variety of people, learn to communicate in local languages, develop an understanding of local expectations and customs, along with an appreciation of local foods, and learn to live and work in Guinea.
None
French is the official language of Guinea, but it is used almost exclusively by professionals and as a second language. Six indigenous languages are more commonly spoken and have the shared status of national languages. They are Pular (or Fula), Maninka, Susu, Kissi, Kpelle, and Toma.
Public Health Educators will also be taught a local language based on their assignment. You will receive 120+ hours of local language training during Pre-Service Training.
During the first half of PST, Volunteers will be taught to speak French until they reach the level of high novice before switching to the appropriate local language of their community. Volunteers receive between 10-20 hours of French lessons a week during PST to provide them with the basic language needed to navigate transportation and basic needs. Invitees are highly encouraged to take a French course prior to service and to continue with tutoring during PST and after arriving in their community. Volunteers are provided with a monthly allowance for language tutoring.
Public Health Educators work with Community Health Workers (CHWs) or health providers who are selected by the community based on their willingness and ability to speak French and communicate with the Volunteer.
* Many of the professionals assigned to health centers around the country are not from the region and often do not speak the local language. If the Volunteer is collaborating with Community Health Workers, the CHWs can serve as the link to the health centers as they are already required to report there. However, many Volunteers enjoy working directly with the professionals in the health center and thus need to speak French. Community placements nearest to health centers are based on levels of French.
Health
Yes
There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Guinea
24
Yes
PCV
No
No
As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in Education, Health, Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Youth Development. Through their Peace Corps experiences, Volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a lifelong commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide.
