Introduction

Guinea is a one of the many West African countries that sit at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the center of Guinea is a region called Fouta Djallon. This region has been a center for Arabic script-based traditional education for over 400 years. It has contributed to mass literacy in West Africa, and historically produced some of the region’s greatest scholars.

However, with the current state of internationalization and emigration to urban areas, this tradition of scholarship is under stress and is declining. It is the vision of Ihsan Foundation to work to restore and enhance the great traditions of scholarship in this area, which should, among other things, check the social decline that this region is perilously experiencing.

Project: Sankore Institute, Fouta

Ihsan Foundation is sponsoring a project to build schools and provide supporting environments for traditional schooling. The current project is located in Bodie. The intention is to build learning centers that will help current teachers and schools enhance their reach across multiple towns and villages to educate the youth. The Institute launched its programs in January 2007.

Nearly 150 students, both children and adults are enrolled.

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