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FRANÇAIS / ENGLISH

New Nonprofit Organization:
Friends of l’école fula flute

With the generous support of the wonderful lawyers at Gibson Dunn, our new nonprofit organization was officially accredited by the Unites States earlier this year. We are delighted to share that, as of June 2025, we are fully operational as The Friends of l’École Fula Flute, Inc. Our officers are Thomas Vahle, President; Cathy Monnet, Secretary; and Sylvain Leroux, Treasurer.

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our deepest gratitude to our dear friends at Hibiscus, Inc., who was our fiscal sponsor for the past six years, helping us stay afloat and reach this milestone of independence.

thomas_vahle_portrait

Thomas Vahle,
President
cathy_monnet_portrait

Cathy Monnet,
Secretary
sylvain_leroux_protrait

Sylvain Leroux,
Treasurer

Tyabala Center Moves to Coyah

Tenant protections are virtually non-existent in Guinea. Although we still had four years remaining on our five-year lease, our landlord gave us just one month’s notice to vacate the premises, leaving us with no choice but to comply.

We relocated once again – the fourth time since we left the hangar in Ratoma – this time even farther out in the suburbs to the town of Coyah, where we could afford more space in a more peaceful environment. There, we also found a community more welcoming of our activities and more open to letting us teach their children.

house in Coyah

The house on the new concession in Coyah.

The move took place in April. Our new location is a pleasant area with a spacious, fenced courtyard with trees and a sturdy little house. The school’s activities were briefly disrupted during the transition but are now running at full capacity again.

Thomas Vahle, our President, visiting the school, reports that classes are held daily, teachers are fully engaged, students are working hard, and morale is high.

However, significant needs remain: organizing and setting up the new facility, constructing storage, and building a covered area in the courtyard to protect us from the elements as we work. We’ve brought on a new supervisor, and additional support will be necessary for Véronique, our overburdened Director.

house in Coyah

Part of the courtyard at new Center.
Videos below: activities at the Center.

Our Alumni Are Doing Well

Fatoumata Soumah on stage in Japan

Fatoumata Soumah toured Japan in June as a member of the renowned all-female music and dance ensemble Nimbaya.
Sidiki Camara on plane

Just last weeks ago, Sikidi Camara returned from a successful tour in Kosovo with the company Baga Foté, where their show was very well received.
Lava le Sorcier in the studio

Meanwhile, Lava le Sorcier (Abdoulaye Camara) continues to be a fixture on the Guinean music scene, playing with some of the country’s stars and moving audiences to tears with his flute playing.

Our Successes Are Yours Too!

You who have been helping us, supporting us, and loving us for the last twelve years and you who are discovering us and are being touched, we have great needs, the disruption from all these moves, adapting again to a new situation, heavy work load, new students, desks, books, materials, instruments, equipment, stresses of longer commutes on the personel, and rising prices. Now that we have a new organisation, we will up our game.

We are gaining great allies, serious people who care about the culture of Guinea, who understand the value of what we do and are willing to advocate for us. Morale is high and the future is hopefull.

We Are the Plant, Guinea Is the Soil, and You Are the Water.

Water is the one absolutely essential ingredient of life, the simplest, most beautiful element there is, pure, refreshing, springing life and hope.

Help us keep our beautiful school alive and bringing up a new generation of young artists — everything and anything you do is appreciated.

With gratitude.
From all of us, friends of l'école fula flute.


PLEASE HELP US

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Donations are tax-deductible in the US.

If you prefer, you may send a paper check. Please make it to the order of "Friends of l'école fula flute, Inc.," and send it to:

Friends of l'école fula flute
601 East 11th Street, #3B
New York, NY 10009

THANK YOU!

FRANÇAIS / ENGLISH