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, President |
 Cathy Monnet, Secretary |
 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.
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.
Part of the courtyard at new Center.
Videos below: activities at the Center.
Our Alumni Are Doing Well
 Fatoumata Soumah toured Japan in June as a member of the renowned all-female music and dance ensemble Nimbaya. |
 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. |
 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. |