[African news] 'Alarming' rate of domestic violence in West Africa

The International  Rescue Committee recently issued a report highlighting what it calls an 'alarming' rate of domestic violence in West Africa (Voice of America news article here; more info from IRC here). The IRC stated that primary threat to women in many West African nations was not war but domestic abuse. The NGO noted that 2/3 of the women who sought help from them had been battered by their husband or partner.

[Guinean news] L’Enfant noir on stage for the first time

Guinéenews reports that a Conakry theatre company is producing a play based on the memoir L’Enfant noir. Often translated into English as “Dark Child,” L’Enfant noir was written by the Guinean author Camara Laye and is generally considered one of the seminal works in African literature. The play is being produced by the company Labortor’arts in conjunction with the Franco-Guinean cultural center.

[FOG news] FOG welcomes new officers!

Friends of Guinea is excited to welcome a new slate of officers to its board of directors.



SECRETARY: Pat Barron

MEMBERSHIP: Teresa Pope

GUINEA PARENT SUPPORT: Betty Walker

COMMUNICATIONS AND WEB ADMIN: Amy Hylinski Daffé

FINANCES: JanRose Ottaway Martin

PROJECTS: Anne Sites


Mackenzie Dabo (newsletter) and Urska Manners (listserv) are remaining in their positions.

Outgoing communications director Brian Farenell will still maintain this blog as well as the FOG Twitter feed.



A big thank you to the outgoing officers for all your service to FOG!

Stephanie Chasteen (secretary)

Brian Clappier (membership)

Karen Starr (web)

Shad Engkilterra (finances)

Donald Parker (projects)