school progress | history | interview | photos
School Opening: October 5. For the first time ever children in Kubian, Guinea are attending school in their small village! The school building is built, and the community has come together with the leadership of our partner on the ground, Allya Gigla Silla, to begin classes. Please have a look at the most recent photos of the school to see just how your contributions have helped to create this historic event. Fundraising to date has contributed to building the school; now Matoto is focused on a sustainability strategy for supporting children to attend, for teachers, and for resources and food programs. Learn how you can donate
Education is key in all areas: health, politics & governance, sustainability… It is with great reverence that we offer this gift. And with enormous gratitude to all the generous supporters.
Watch this video to learn a little about how the school project got started:
Thanks to Alexander Jones for his work preparing the video.
Matoto interviews Alya Gigla Sylla, founder of Ballet Saâmato and Matoto’s key partner in Kubian, Guinea.
Matoto: How many students will the school in Kubian eventually be able to welcome?
Alya Gigla Sylla: 276 in 4 classes
Matoto: How old will the students be?
Alya Gigla Sylla: 6 and 7 (kindergarten)
Matoto: In which fields are more graduates needed?
Alya Gigla Sylla: Electrician, mechanic, doctor, schoolteacher, professor, nurse
Matoto: What does life in Kubian depend on today?
Alya Gigla Sylla: Subsistence agriculture (rice, cassava, sweet potato, honey, poultry, yam, peanut, mango)
Matoto: What progress does the village want to make in the coming years?
Alya Gigla Sylla: Build a youth centre, drinking water for the children of the village, public transit
Here are some recent photos sent of the building progress!
March 2012
November 2011
September 2011
August 2011
June 2011
December 2010
Workers on and off scaffolding in the school construction zone.
A group of children from the village stand in front of the school.
A view of the school with the trees around it.
Matoto's contact in Guinea, Gigla Sylla, addresses a group of village children outside the school.
August 2010
June 2010
The school and the building thereof is being entirely administered from within Guinea, and they villagers are the full decision makers. Our only “two cents” is that included in the curriculum, there be elements of traditional Arts and some instruction taking place in traditional languages (not only French). Also, both boys and girls will have equal opportunities to attend.
For more photos of the village, and the school building progress, enjoy the slideshow below!
Interested in donating to the school project? Click here to learn more.
