Help 250 Youth Recover From Ebola in Guinea

Since our last report in January the world has changed dramatically. COVID-19 has affected all six of the countries where MindLeaps works, and all the countries are currently experiencing some form of closure. Prior to the shutdowns, the MindLeaps Center in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, served meals daily to 160 of the world’s most vulnerable children, in addition to our signature dance classes, educational enhancements, and other supports. With mandatory shutdowns in place, the kids can no longer come to the Center to collect their meals. Our obligation to provide for the vulnerable children in our care is more pressing than ever.

To provide emergency relief to our kids and their families, MindLeaps is now distributing food and sanitation packages, which reach over 425 children through the MindLeaps Centers in Guinea and Rwanda. MindLeaps provides emergency support for an additional 600 children in Uganda. With special government permission, and above and beyond their usual duties, our staff purchases food and sanitary supplies in bulk, repackages them into family-sized portions, and delivers them directly to affected families’ homes.

The first distribution in Conakry took place on Tuesday, April 14. When MindLeaps staff visit each family, in addition to distributing supplies, they also discuss best practices in sanitation and staying healthy. As of April 30, 2020, Guinea has 1,351 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 7 deaths (source: bloomberg.com), so these practices will be essential for turning the tide and keeping our students and their families well.