MAF provides an essential link for an education project helping children in a remote community to get their best start in the classroom.
Story by Joel Conte
René Tolno knows that when school is too far away, kids simply miss the opportunity to learn.
So, he founded the Tolno Education Trust, which set up a school in his home village of, Yendé-Millimou more than 622km from Guinea’s capital Conakry.
"I started a school, and the locality was really isolated. It's a village called, Yendé which is a little away from Millimou. So, the distance between Yende and Millimou is five kilometres, imagine a child from 2 to 3 years old must travel such a distance for the start of his kindergarten,” said Mr Tolno.
Due to his experiences in Guinea and elsewhere, Mr Tolno was motivated to provide hope for the rising generation of his community.
"There were always difficulties, even for the older children, to go to school. So, in the end, the children stay in the fields. It was this ambition that pushed me to start a school,” he said.
"Last year, one of our students was the only one admitted to the entire school among the girls. I was proud of her. So, without education, we can do absolutely nothing in our lives. Education is the key to the world."
Mr Tolno, who lives in the UK, started the school in 2023 with four classroom and he now has the government offering him three more classrooms which are under construction. To keep up with the progress and bring in school supplies, he needs to travel frequently.
But his school is located in the Kissidougou Prefecture in the Faranah region of Guinea – a potentially dangerous 622km drive of more than nine hours to the capital. Thanks to MAF, Mr Tolno was able to fly from Kissidougou to the capital in a little more than 1 hour 45 minutes.
“Without them, I couldn't do what I'm doing. This routine of taking the road as soon as I arrive at the airport, I have been doing it for 12 years, I know what I'm talking about - but with MAF, it's a great satisfaction,” he said.
“Sometimes, the trip between Conakry and Kissidougou, you can lose a day.
"So, in recent years, when I saw MAF was there in Guinea, I said to myself, I'm going to try this. They have facilitated a lot of things for me, personally and for our organisation.”
Mr Tolno is inspired by the progress of his school and what it means for the next generation.
“Education is the most important point for all humanity and for me. That's why I come here every year. The future of Guinea is now,” he said.
“It's just a start, we started here because it's the place where I was born, and I know better. It is for the whole nation and perhaps in the years to come, it will not only be in Kissidougou and it will also be in the other regions of the country.
“MAF is doing an extraordinary job for the country, and I pray to God really that they continue to do what they are doing in our country.
“Because after two hours of time I can see myself in Kissidougou. And when I even get off the plane from England, I can directly continue here with the MAF and even start working.”
