The University Julius-Nyerere in Kankan, Guinea, welcomes thousands of new students each year, but many face a daunting reality: finding affordable and decent accommodation. For students from other parts of the country, securing a place to live is a significant obstacle. Seny Christine Soromou, a second-year student in document management, shares a building with four other students in the Energie district.
The cost of living is a significant burden for these students. Soromou pays 200,000 GNF per month, but the landlord plans to increase the rent to 300,000 GNF in January. This rise in rent poses a considerable challenge for students who already struggle to afford food and transportation. Many students, like Soromou, are forced to share accommodations with multiple roommates, leading to cramped and uncomfortable living conditions.
Beyond the financial strain, students also face restrictions imposed by landlords. Some landlords prohibit students from receiving visitors, including friends from the university. Térésse Yawa Ouedouno, a student, explains that these restrictions can be suffocating. To cope, some students have developed small commercial activities during their days off to make ends meet.
The lack of access to basic services like water and electricity exacerbates the challenges faced by these students. Sia Koumba Millimono, a student, recounts that her residence lacks these essential services. The students often have to travel to fetch water, and when the neighbors help, they are grateful. However, the situation can be dire, and the costs of restoring electricity are prohibitively expensive.
The accumulation of difficulties has prompted students to appeal to the authorities for assistance. They advocate for the construction of dormitories within higher education institutions to provide students from afar with decent living conditions and better study opportunities. Seny Christine Soromou emphasizes that state support would greatly alleviate the hardships faced by students.
The plight of students at the University of Kankan is not unique, and many students from other parts of the country face similar challenges. The construction of university dormitories is seen as a necessity to ensure better living conditions and promote academic success. Students believe that this support would enable them to focus on their studies without the burden of finding accommodation.
The students' situation highlights the need for investment in student accommodations in Guinea. The authorities have yet to respond to the students' appeals, but it is clear that something needs to be done to address the challenges faced by students at the University of Kankan and other institutions across the country.
Key points
- Students at the University of Kankan face significant challenges in finding affordable accommodation.
- The lack of access to basic services like water and electricity exacerbates the challenges faced by these students.
- Students advocate for the construction of dormitories within higher education institutions.
