Empowering young mothers in Guinea through income generation training

With support from Alcoa Foundation, 50 mothers from the Boké region of Lower Guinea completed training in income generation activities and health education to improve their living conditions. This is significant in a country where over half the population is under the age of 20 and young girls are less likely to complete secondary education. Single young mothers are especially vulnerable due to the social stigma of having a child outside of marriage.

Recognizing the need for educational opportunities for women, this year Alcoa Foundation supported a program that promotes socio-economic inclusion and empowerment of single young mothers from the towns of Kamsar, Sangaredi, and Kalabou. These mothers, aged 14 to 28, attended vocational centers where they received six months of training in either sewing or hairdressing, skills that are in high demand in their communities.

Participants were also trained in sex education and provided with personal hygiene kits. After receiving this training, they organized and led discussions to share their newfound knowledge with other young girls and women in their communities.

At a program closing ceremony held with family and friends, participants reflected on their experience. They spoke about their journeys after pregnancy and their renewed sense of hope and opportunity after completing the training.

A participant from the city of Boké explained her motivation to join the program. “When I gave birth, there was no one to help me look after the baby. I had to drop out of school to raise my child.” She added, “today, I manage to support myself. I also manage to pay for the medicines when my son gets sick and sometimes send small amounts to my relatives in the village.”

“I stayed on the street and my life was completely turned upside down after my pregnancy,” reflected a participant from Kolaboui. “The project gave me a lot of courage and strength to reconnect through the profession of seamstress, and I am now coming out of a dark period in my life,” she concluded.

A participant from Sangaredi observed, “the program was a really helpful for us. It gives us more strength and allows us to depend only on ourselves, to take care of the health of our children and to support our parents.”

The Alcoa Foundation approved a $76,822 grant to the Rassemblement des Jeunes Leaders de Guinée (Gathering of Young Guinean Leaders) to support a second program that will launch in March 2023. Another group of young mothers will be trained in professions to improve their standard of living and prospects for a more healthy and confident future.

“Alcoa Foundation is proud to support this program that provides essential services and education to young mothers in Guinea,” said Rosa Garcia Pineiro, President of Alcoa Foundation. “It is an important program under our education portfolio and advances our goal to support underrepresented persons. We were heartened to hear the testimonies given by this year’s participants and look forward to continuing our support so that other women can have the same opportunity.”