The Guinea Mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development: Advancing Democratic Governance
Soccer and HIV/AIDS: Portraits of Prevention
In Upper Guinea, an area that is considered at high-risk for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, USAID is using an innovative approach to prevention—at half-time, girl’s soccer teams are telling the public about the A-B-Cs of disease prevention, and sending out messages promoting Abstinence, being Faithful, and the use of Condoms. These tactics are designed to keep HIV/AIDS, STDs and unwanted pregnancies at a minimum. As a side benefit, young girls are playing sports regularly, and girls’ soccer has gained public acceptance, even in a very traditional Muslim societal setting.
 |
N’sira Camara and Fatimata Traore are members of the Mandiana Sankarani Soccer Club. The team plays six days a week. On Sundays, the girls do chores at home, including fetching water for the household. “I love playing soccer,” says Fatimata, an 18-year-old from rural Mandiana. “I have a good time with my friends—we laugh and joke and it makes me forget my worries. We also give out important messages at halftime about how to prevent getting STDs like HIV/AIDS.” |
| Fozié Salim’s daughter Fatimata Traore trains almost every afternoon with the local soccer team, Mandiana Sankarani Soccer Club. A busy midwife at the Mandiana Hospital, we caught Salim relaxing in the evening while doing some embroidery in her front lawn. “How do you feel about your daughter playing soccer?” I asked her. “I don’t mind,” says Salim, “As long as she finishes her home chores first.” A typical mother’s response! |
 |
 |
N’sira Camara, Captain of the Mandiana girl’s soccer team, tells us about the recent girls’ soccer match between Kankan and Faranah that took place in Labe, Faranah beating Kankan 1-0. The Mandiana team recently won a match as well, beating Koundian 1-0, and the girls were proud. Says Camara, “I love these soccer games. We’ve also learned a lot. We are telling men and women about sexual diseases. In this area we have [gold] mines where people get sick with sexual diseases, and girls get pregnant quite young. It’s a big problem.” What messages does she give out? “We say you need to practice abstinence before marriage, and then you need to be faithful. If you can’t abide by that, you should use a condom.” |
Portraits and photos by Laura Lartigue
Last updated February 5, 2007.
Comments on the content of the site are always welcome, and should be directed
to Richard Stirba, USAID/Guinea's Development
Outreach and Communications Specialist. Please report any technical problems
to the Webmaster.
USAID Security and Privacy Statement