With an estimated population of 3,500 Koutaya (Republic of Guinea) does not have a primary school. Most children walk 10km to go to school in Kalekhoure or walk 5km to the harbour, and catch a wooden canoe across the sea, to get to school in Dubreka. Children in Koutaya and surroundings are being raised in the depths of poverty, they should not have to risk their lives to go to school.

We are building a school to provide primary education and opportunities to vulnerable children in Koutaya. The school will benefit the people of Koutaya and its surroundings who cannot afford or struggle with the costs to send their children to primary school.

Abdoulaye and Fatoumata are 15 and 13 years old, respectively. They are brother and sister, from Koutaya, and they both go to School in Dubreka city, which is five kilometres away. Every morning, Abdoulaye and Fatoumata must walk this distance to the harbour, and catch a wooden canoe across the sea, to get to school.

During the rainy season, when the weather is bad, the journey can be dangerous, with big waves and strong winds. The crossing can sometimes be deadly, with numerous people including young children losing their lives attempting the journey in bad weather. Abdoulaye and Fatoumatas mother tells us, we want our children to go to school, but the risk to their lives crossing the sea every day worries us. She tells her children that when the weather is bad, when its unsafe to cross, and when its too dark, they should find a safe place at the harbour and spend the night there.

Most people in Koutaya are becoming aware of the importance of going to school, they want to give their children the opportunity to get something they didnt have: an education. They do not want their children to suffer, like they have, from a lack of education.

Children in Koutaya and surrounding areas are being raised in the depths of poverty.