ABOUT Austin to Africa BENEFIT
A BENEFIT FOR GUINEA, WEST AFRICA
Since 2012 members and friends of Bramaya, Aboubacar Sylla's West African Dance and Drum Ensemble based in Austin, TX, have been working together to raise funds to help families in Guinea, West Africa. Guinea is Abou's home country.
photos and video
See a bit of life in Guinea in this video by Deano Cote of Fort Never, one of the bands in the 2019 lineup.
Scroll down to learn more about Guinea and the results of past benefit performances.
GUINEA
Guinea is located on the Atlantic Coast of West Africa and is bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The people of Guinea have an indomitable spirit that is embodied in their vibrant musical traditions.
In addition to its diverse people and heritage, Guinea has tremendous natural resources (including diamonds, gold, iron ore and what is estimated at half the world’s reserves of bauxite - the primary source of aluminum). Unfortunately, poor governance and political unrest have kept mining revenues from benefiting the country’s people.
As a result of these ongoing issues, Guinea has very little infrastructure – access to potable water and electricity is limited, and the vast majority of the population has little or no access to education or healthcare.
| U.S. | Guinea | |
| Life Expectancy | 79.5 years | 60.6 years |
| Gross National Income (GNI) per capita | $54,941 | $2,067 |
The 2018 Statistical Update to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)* ranks Guinea at 175 out of 189 countries and UN recognized territories. (To give a bit of perspective - the United States is ranked 13, after Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Iceland, Hong Kong, Sweden, Singapore,the Netherlands, and others.)
*The HDI is a summary measure for assessing long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.
For further details, visit: http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/GIN and http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/GIN.pdf.
PAST BENEFIT PERFORMANCEs - RESULTS
2018 BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - RESULTS
Rice and Cooking Oil**
2,500 pounds of rice
150 gallons of cooking oil
2016 BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - RESULTS
Bicycles and Rice**
20 bicycles for well-to-household water transport***
2,220 pounds of rice
2014 BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - RESULTS
Bicycles, Rice, Sanitation, Vehicle Transport, and Critical Well Repairs**
2 bicycles for well-to-household water transport***
2,750 pounds of rice
30 bottles of water purifier
Costs for shipping donated vehicle to Guinea. The donated vehicle was transported to Guinea and is used to disseminate goods provided through Austin to Africa benefits as well as other donated items such as clothing, shoes and household goods.
Repair of well pump
2013 BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - RESULTS
Bicycles and Critical Well Repairs** (See photos)
20 bicycles for well-to-household water transport***
Critical village well repairs
2012 BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - RESULTS
Rice and Oil Delivery**
3,300 pounds of rice
78 gallons of cooking oil
**Each year, 100% of proceeds were used for the purchase of supplies (rice, oil, bicycles, water purifier, critical well repairs in the village, vehicle shipment) as well as rental and fuel costs associated with transporting them from Conakry, Guinea’s capital, to the villages.
*** Bicycles allow families to more easily transport water from the well to the household – a task typically performed on foot. The distance from well to household can be relatively lengthy, and any reduction in well-to-household time provides a significant benefit.
We are beginning the process of forming a non-profit that will serve to educate people about West African music and culture, and work to provide sustainable support and resources to people in need in Guinea.