While my wife and I have traveled quite a bit in Europe and Asia, Africa is new to us. She will be getting all necessary shots, travel insurance, etc. While she will be in and out of Conakry, from our understanding she will also be helping to build a school and traveling around other parts of Guinea.
Does anyone have any advice for our daughter about Guinea, travel to Africa, cultural dos and don'ts or logistical information about communications, phones, or anything else?
I haven't been to Guinea but I've done a fair amount of traveling within Africa. Just a handful of thoughts - I don't think phones will be a problem. Of course, depending on the organization of the program, they may or may not expect your daughter to have her own phone, but I would be very surprised if you couldn't speak on the phone a handful of times, at least to confirm a safe arrival, and in the event of any kind of emergency.
This is true in most rural areas as well as in the city. And of course, internet access should be available and cheap in Conakry. While she might not be calling every day why would she? I don't think communication should pose a real problem. As for cultural do's and don'ts - they may have covered this, but I'd recommend bringing a few long skirts and cover-ups or scarves, and in general to be prepared to dress nicely on more than one occasion.
Sometimes people traveling to Africa get the impression that they can dress like dirty hippies since everyone is poor there and you'll be hiking through sweltering jungles or something but in fact my sense is that people tend to dress more formally than people -especially students- do here: bring a pair of nicer shoes, not just flip flops, and don't count on wearing shorts every day.
