Category Archives: About Guinea-Bissau

How One of the Poorest Countries in the World Taught Me the Richness of Love

Water shortages. Maggot-ridden flour. Poverty, power outages, political instability. Life in Guinea-Bissauis hard. But its people don’t show it. Instead, they are warm, hospitable, joyful, industrious, generous, vivacious. They some of the mostloving people on the planet. When I visited Guinea-Bissau for the first time in January, I expected to be inspired by the work […]

Why education looks different for kids in West Africa

Three ways that the broken education system affects families in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa) 1. In Guinea-Bissau, families can’t afford basic school supplies. In the United States, the average family spends more than $800 to get their kids ready to go back to school. For many parents in Guinea-Bissau, that’s more than what they make in a […]

8 facts about computer literacy and technology in West Africa

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In Guinea-Bissau (one of smallest and poorest countries in West Africa), access to clean water is hard to come by – let alone access to technology. Here are 8 facts about computer literacy and technology in West Africa – and what we can do to help. Facts about technology access 1. Only 23% of the […]

The 10 most asked questions about Guinea-Bissau in West Africa

Guinea-Bissau, located on the coast of West Africa, is one of the least-known countries in the world. That’s because it’s literally one of the smallest and poorest countries in the world. Here are the 10 most asked questions about Guinea-Bissau. 1. Is Guinea-Bissau a rich or poor country? Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries […]

5 reasons apprenticeships in Africa don’t prepare youth for real-world work (and how vocational schools can help)

In many parts of Africa, it’s common for young people learn a new job skill through an informal apprenticeship. But these apprenticeships are much different than the apprenticeships offered in places like the United States or Germany, where formal training at a trade school is often paired with the apprenticeship. In Africa, apprentices often end […]

What the 2022 coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau means for its 2 million residents

woman standing in front of her hut in Guinea-Bissau

On Tuesday, February 1, a group of still-unidentified people staged an attack on the main government building in the capital of Guinea-Bissau. According to the country’s president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the attackers wanted to kill him and his cabinet. Though the coup was unsuccessful, the 5-hour long gunfight left 11 dead and was a reminder […]

Why are there so many countries in the world with “Guinea” in their name?

What’s with all the “Guineas” in the world? “Guinea” shows up in quite a few country names (four, to be exact). And none of them have anything to do with a furry house pet. Origins of the word “Guinea” Though there are many theories on where the word “Guinea” came from, the most popular one […]

What life is like for children in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa)

Kids are kids, no matter where they are in the world. But their lives can look very different depending on where they live. In countries like Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, for example, children like to spend their free time playing soccer – but not in the same way as in the United Sates. In Guinea-Bissau, […]

5 facts about Guinea-Bissau in West Africa: Its people, food, languages, economy – and islands run by women

Streets of Guinea-Bissau

At first glance, the country of Guinea-Bissau doesn’t seem like much more than just a tiny speck on the map. In fact, it may be the most forgotten country in Africa. But take a closer look, and you’ll discover a land bursting with rich cultural heritage, an economy centered around buttery cashews and sweet mangoes, […]