Vision sans Frontière

In Guinea, HIV prevalence in the general population aged 15 to 49 is 1.7%, and is higher among women (2.1%) than men (1.2%). A very high proportion of those infected (81%) have never had an HIV test. The proportion of young people aged between 15 and 24 who have taken an HIV test and obtained the results between September 2016 and March 2017 is 3.3%.

With regard to family planning, an estimated 244 million women in developing countries would like to avoid or space pregnancies but are not using any method of contraception. In Africa, 23.5% of women of childbearing age have an unmet need for modern contraception.  In Guinea, only 6% of women aged 15 to 49 in union use a contraceptive method, of which 5% use a modern method and 1% a traditional method.

With regard to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), it is estimated that between 100 and 140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone genital mutilation. In terms of prevalence, the most recent data show that in Africa, 91.5 million women and girls over the age of 9 are currently living with the consequences of FGM, and 3 million girls are at risk of undergoing this mutilation every year. In Guinea, the practice of FGM is rooted in social norms, notably in initiation rites. More than nine out of ten women aged between 15 and 49 are excised (97%). This makes Guinea the country with the second-highest rate of FGM in the world, after Somalia.  Despite this situation, 80% of young people aged 15 to 24 intend to excise their daughters in the future.

In 2012, one in nine girls in the developing world (excluding China) was married before the age of 15. Most were poor, less educated, and lived in rural areas. Six million of the world's child brides live in West Africa. In Guinea, 26% of women were already in union by the age of 15.

Guinea also has a young population; over 46% are under 15. Despite its role as a lever of development, its statistical weight and its vulnerability, young people benefit from few specific clinical services. Likewise, the information available to young people to protect themselves against social scourges and health problems remains erroneous or marked by prejudice. Young people and adolescents are confronted with a host of problems relating to their sex lives, reproductive health and personal and social development in general.

The overall mission of the project is to contribute to the country's socio-economic development by improving the well-being of the population in general, and of the target areas in particular. The use of family planning and quality RH services and care by potential users constitute the challenges of the mission assigned to this project. The approach will be based on 3 main stages:

Stage 1: Baseline survey

It would be useful to carry out a diagnostic survey at the start of project implementation, in order to objectively measure the initial situation.

This will be a 4-day field mission (1 day per prefecture and 2 days' travel) to present the project to authorities and leaders, assess practical aspects of implementation (baseline figures for indicators, actors available, informal communication channels available, organizations active in the field in terms of BCD and communication, assessment of FP input stock levels, inventory of workshops and activity and entertainment centers for young people, etc.) and feedback to field partners. Review of the results of the evaluation mission by the on-site management team to incorporate any amendments, and maintenance of contact with the various stakeholders and the DPS focal points in preparation for the start-up of activities; Negotiation and signing of a contract with a private radio station for the production of a complete radio program;

Step 2.

Mechanism for collaboration with stakeholders: correspondence to the departments concerned, appointments to present the project, collection of opinions on good collaboration and choice of focal points or contact persons at each level of the implementation chain for each stakeholder; give priority to real-time information sharing with the NTI supports available and according to the context. As far as possible, health stakeholders at the operational level are involved in certain important decisions and actions: a "faire faire" approach.

Step 3:

 Recrutement/Identification et renforcement des capacités du personnel de mise en œuvre, Organisation des cibles et Préparation des outils/ supports de suivi évaluation.

The solution will directly and significantly improve the lives of communities in general, and young people aged 18 to 35 in particular.

Guinea has a young population; over 46% are under the age of 15. Despite its role as a lever of development, its statistical weight and its vulnerability, young people benefit from few specific clinical services. Likewise, the information available to young people to protect themselves against social scourges and health problems remains erroneous or marked by prejudice. Young people and adolescents are confronted with a host of problems relating to their sex lives, reproductive health and personal and social development in general.

The VSF NGO, given its national representation, operational capacity and expertise in communication and social mobilization activities in the field of community health on the one hand, and its institutional anchoring in the region targeted by the project on the other, proposes to collaborate with UNFPA, Organon and MIT Solve with the aim of carrying out awareness-raising activities among communities in the Labé region, particularly young people aged 18 to 35, with the support of Community Relays, Health and Hygiene Committees (COSAH), Social Mobilizers (MoSo), Action Groups and CECOJE, as well as Prefectoral Development Services (SPD)/Technical Development Services (STD), Prefectoral Health Departments (DPS), Urban and Rural Health Centers (CS), AGBEF, Prefectoral Youth Departments (DPJ), in order to lay the foundations for participative, inclusive and sustainable project management.

Given its national representation, operational capacity and expertise in communication and social mobilization activities in the field of community health on the one hand, and its institutional anchoring in the region targeted by the project on the other, the VSF NGO expects to mobilize a total of 22 people to carry out the planned activities. The State, in this case the Prefectural Departments of Education and Health, for the pedagogical approach.

The Coordinator, Project Manager : the project's first technical respondent, he/she is responsible for overall coordination and management, and ensures that commitments are respected, and that all those involved in the project are involved and work well together. He will analyze the data in the report and forward it to the VSF Program Manager, who will make any necessary amendments before approving it. He meets with the administrative authorities (regional and prefectoral) to discuss the project and its achievements, and encourages new members to adhere to the assigned objectives.

Supervisors (1 per prefecture) : they will oversee the implementation of activities in the prefectures and will be responsible for developing and working with data collection tools, analyzing and synthesizing the data reported by the Animators and Facilitators. They will also be responsible for proposing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) media and materials adapted to the realities of the targets. On a daily basis, they will carry out field visits to ensure the conformity of the data reported, take part in the project's social mobilization activities, and communicate with partners on the results and performance indicators to be achieved. They propose concrete and coherent partnership development and social mobilization initiatives for project activities. At the same time, they support the animators in organizing awareness-raising activities. They ensure compliance with the rules of communication in schools, health centers and communities.

The facilitators: The facilitators who will come under the direct responsibility of the supervisors, are responsible for social mobilization, establishing relationships between stakeholders, monitoring and supporting activities at the target level and will work in close collaboration with the heads of the health centers and COSAH. They will also provide monitoring and support to the facilitators and themselves hold Educational Chat activities. Also, they will provide supervision and support to peer educators.

Facilitators (2 per municipality): will be under the direct responsibility of the supervisors, will prepare and carry out animation sessions on the themes of the project in accordance with the expectations of the targets. They will organize and support the thematic groups while respecting the principles of the approach used: (i) inform and learn; (ii) protect oneself and others; (iii) show solidarity. They are responsible for social mobilization, organization and running of the talks.

The accounting secretary will be responsible for ensuring better management of the grant granted; it will produce a financial report at the end of each month.

Our solution will affect more than 1000 direct and indirect beneficiaries in the project areas.

The basis of the project is the human rights approach, recognizing the rights of every person to the integrity of their own body, to exercise control over their sexuality free of coercion, discrimination or violence, and to make their own decisions in this area, regardless of gender, age, sexuality, disability status, or social, ethnic, national or cultural background.        

Thus, the strategic approach to implementing education, information and communication activities for Behavior Change is the innovative ''Connais ton Corps (CTC)'' approach. Educational talks will be specifically used by peer educators during information and communication sessions for Behavior Change.

At the heart of the CTC approach is the belief that love, sexuality and growth are pleasurable aspects of a man's life and youth. Activities must emphasize these exciting aspects as they appeal to young people, rather than talking to them only about the dangers and negative aspects of growing up.

In all awareness-raising activities, emphasis is placed on interactive and participatory methodologies to facilitate dialogue between facilitators and the target audience, and to get young people thinking about the issues addressed. These aspects are especially central to the CTC approach, as the essential role of facilitators is to facilitate the interactive process and reflection by asking questions through games, and to encourage debate between participants, rather than just giving them explanations head-on.

The implementation of activities will necessarily involve local players (CECOJE, DPS, DPJ, DPE, etc.) under the monitoring, supervision and coordination of NGO staff.

Increase the proportion of young people aged 18-35 willing to undergo voluntary STI/HIV/AIDS testing in the prefectures covered by the project;

Increase the proportion of young people aged 18-35 who know at least three modern contraceptive methods;

Increase the proportion of young people aged 18-35 who are aware of the medical, psychological, family and social risks associated with early marriage;

Increase the proportion of young people aged 18 to 35 who are aware of the medical, psychological, family and social risks associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and who are in favor of abandoning the practice;

To increase the number of women of childbearing age attending medical centers in order to resolve problems linked to the consequences of FGM.

75% of in-school and out-of-school young people aged 18 to 35 in the two (2) prefectures covered by the project's activities are informed and made aware of the need and importance of voluntary STI/HIV/AIDS testing, and are referred to specialized health facilities. 

90% of young people aged 18 to 35 affected by project activities know at least three methods of contraception.

70% of young people aged between 18 and 35 affected by the project's activities are aware of their rights and the medical, psychological, family and social risks associated with early marriage and FGM, and are in favor of abandoning these practices in the prefectures covered by the project.

Community relays, COSAHs and social mobilizers have the technical skills and support to raise awareness and provide information to their communities on STI/HIV/AIDS and family planning.

The number of women attending health facilities, including AGBEF (Guinean Association for Family Welfare), is increased to at least 5%.

Sustainability of youth awareness-raising measures and collaboration between civil society and public health and education services through joint implementation of ongoing activities and training are strengthened.

In total, 22 people will be mobilized to carry out the planned activities.

a). Full-time staff:

• One (01) Coordinator;
•  Two (02) supervisors, i.e. one supervisor per prefecture;
•  Six (06) facilitators for the 06 municipalities to be covered, i.e. one facilitator per municipality;
• Twelve (12) facilitators, or two (2) per municipality;
• One (1) accounting secretary;

b). Personnel à temps partiel

• Twelve (12) facilitators, or two (2) per municipality;
• One (1) accounting secretary;

Depuis 2017, VSF intervient dans le domaine de la santé, avec par exemple le « Projet de lutte contre la malnutrition chronique en Moyenne Guinée, en partenariat avec ACF ;

- Project to supervise women's networks in the promotion of hygiene in households and integration of social networks and the media, citizen participation of young girls in PCI in the health area of CS Petit Simbaya (Conakry), in partnership with Expertise France;

- Promotion of reproductive and family health in the Boké region, in partnership with KFW; etc.

Dans la mise en œuvre des activités de l'ONG VSF, la priorité est donnée aux personnes vulnérables en termes de soutien et d'assistance, notamment les orphelins, les femmes en situation précaire et les enfants. L'ONG met en œuvre des projets dans toutes les régions de Guinée et recrute des personnes sans discrimination fondée sur l'origine ethnique, la religion et le sexe.

Faced with discrimination, the glass ceiling, the non-mixed nature of many professions, positive actions in favor of women and disabled people can be put in place to compensate and make up for the professional inequalities which affect them in the context of recruitment of the NGO staff

The NGO VSF has a participatory, inclusive and innovative approach based on the involvement and empowerment of beneficiaries. It promotes local knowledge and know-how through participatory diagnostics putting local authorities and civil society organizations at the center of interventions. It works closely with State technical services to strengthen the capacities of local actors. She leads and facilitates consultation frameworks at the local level to generate positive changes in attitudes and behaviors with a view to promoting sustainable socio-economic development. The basic principles of the NGO VSF's interventions are capacity building of stakeholders, gender equity, partnership, transparency and ownership of the Programs by the beneficiaries.

VSF's funds come mainly from: memberships, contributions, subsidies from various partners and donations and legacies. For all cash or check receipts made to VSF, a double-leaf receipt must be used.

Memberships and contributions

Memberships are collected directly by the treasurer through a receipt duly issued and signed by him and countersigned by the Coordinator under the supervision of the Executive Director. The original is given to the institution or person who made the payment. A duplicate of this receipt is carefully kept in the same way as other VSF accounting records in a secure place (cabinet, cupboard). Dues and memberships are cash only. As soon as they are collected, they are paid in full into the VSF account by the treasurer. Only the treasurer or possibly the Administrative and Financial Director or the Executive Director is authorized to collect contributions, memberships, subsidies, donations and legacies in the name of VSF.

Subsidies

They are made up of grants from VSF's institutional partners and one-off grants from certain partners who finance the projects submitted to them. The funds from the subsidies are entirely lodged in accounts opened in the name of VSF in commercial banks locally or outside. They are placed in VSF accounts either by bank transfer, check or cash.

In the case of subsidies noted by a transfer notice from the donor or a credit notice from the Bank of VSF, a receipt is issued to the donor by the Executive Secretariat to materialize the arrival of funds in the association's account. The month's bank statements must then confirm the credit advice to ensure that the funds have been collected in the VSF accounts.

Donations and legacies

Certain individual or moral benefactors convinced of the work of VSF may grant some donations or legacies. These donations and legacies in kind or in cash are received by one or all of the members of the Board of Directors. A receipt established by the treasurer, signed by the Coordinator and the Executive Director is kept in the accounts as supporting document. The amount received is then paid into the VSF bank account with the mention donation received from Mr/Mrs X or institution Y’.

A donations and legacies file will be opened by the treasurer to record on the one hand all donations and legacies in cash, check, transfer and on the other hand to list all donations and legacies in kind. This is how the donations and legacies book will look like.