Boys drinking water from a small plastic bag in Koundara, Guinea, West Africa - Photo by Cristi Carlstead

Announcements

Peace Corps Monitoring Security Situation in Guinea

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 1, 2009

All Peace Corps/Guinea volunteers have been instructed to remain at their sites or a designated location while Peace Corps and the U.S. Embassy in Conakry continue to monitor and assess the safety and security situation in Guinea. All volunteers are safe and accounted for.

The State Department issued a Guinea travel warning earlier today due to civil unrest. Peace Corps leadership in Washington, DC remains in constant communication with the staff on the ground in Guinea and is working closely with the State Department to ensure the safety of volunteers.

Every Peace Corps program has an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) specific to that country and developed in cooperation with Peace Corps Washington and the local U.S. Embassy. The plans are evaluated and tested frequently and information is updated constantly. Volunteers are thoroughly trained in their roles and responsibilities, and posts are prepared for all emergencies.

There are 93 Volunteers in Guinea; 84 are in-country and 9 are currently traveling outside of the country.

Families are encouraged to contact Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. The Office of Special Services is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays) at 800.424.8580, extension 1470, or 202.692.1470."

Stay tuned for more updates...

• Friends of Guinea has a slightly new look on its webpage. As the style changes over the next while, be sure to keep the webmaster informed about what you like and dislike: web @ friendsofguinea .org.

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  Friends of Guinea is always considering grant applications. If you know of a worthy group or individual in Guinea, please get ahold of the Project director Lea via email at projects @ friendsofguinea.org.
  
  

RPCV Micah Schaffer recounts the moving story of Amadou Diallo, a well educated Guinean immigrant to the U.S. killed by NYPD and of Jesse Thyne, a Peace Corps volunteer living in Amadou's family home and village until died in a car accident.  This documentary is both a celebration of their lives and beautiful spirits and a call to learn to see people as our brothers.

(Death of Two Sons available for purchase at Amazon.com)

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