Hi, I'm an American in Guinea. Guineans need a lot of different things, but most of all to be able to plot their own course. Guinea lacks an infrastructure for power, running water, accessible healthcare, and education. Although it is an incredibly mineral-rich country, the wealth goes to foreign nationals who exploit the corruption in government.

Despite the somewhat grim appearance of Guinea on paper, it is a beautiful, vibrant country. It's best if you come in without any expectations of how things will go--just go with the flow. Guineans are incredibly friendly and welcoming. They do call out at you if you're white, but it's not considered offensive or even impolite. The Guineans that I live with have adopted me like a sister and a daughter. They love to laugh, to dance, and to joke around. Knowing French is essential, as almost no one speaks English. I also love Guinean clothes-they are brightly colored and fancy, even for events that I would never consider dressing up for. Guinea is 85% Muslim, but I have never encountered any problems not being Muslim. There are only about 19 different family names in Guinea, and there's an ongoing joke all over the country about what family you live in. That's pretty cool. Guinean drumming is also pretty awesome if you get a chance to see it.

I hope your parents get to go out of Conakry (the capitol) because the rest of the country is so much less polluted, more peaceful, and incredibly beautiful.