Alanouwaly Salifou Sylla Foundation was formed after the tragic early death of Salif Sylla, a very talented and generous Guinean musician.
Salif’s inspiring nature left a big impression on all who knew him; and pupils, musicians, friends & family felt they needed to continue the work he had started.
A brief history – milestones
4 May 2008
UK – First General meeting of Alanouwoly Salifou Sylla – Constitution and management committee established, bank account opened.
Guinea: Salif’s land signed over to Alanouwoly and building of Community Centre commenced.
13 Sep 2008
1st Salifest with many African musicians donating their time by performing and teaching workshops, many volunteers cooking, organising and running the day & so many of a wide community paying tribute. Huge success!
Feb 2009
UK: Drums commissioned in Africa for teaching projects in UK.
Setting up website for Alanouwoly Salifou Sylla.
June 2009
UK: 1st Drum & Dance project at Holbeach School with performance at Summer Fair
Sep 2009
Guinea: cultivation of edible plants at Alanouwaly Centre
UK: 2nd Salifest
April 2010
Guinea: Caretaker house for Community Centre finished.
Sep 2010
UK: 3rd Salifest
Jan 2011
UK: start of After-school drumming clubs
March 2011
Guinea: Centre’s caretaker house painted and washroom & toilet added to it.
Sep 2011
4th Salifest
2012
Guinea/UK: Start of research for Water Project.
April 2012
Guinea: Car sent from UK to run a service for people in Boke. Filled with many donations including computer to eventually use at the Community Centre.
Sep 2012
UK: 5th Salifest
Nov 2012
UK: First school presentation about water in Africa
Guinea: Commissioned hand-dug well, trial showed water difficult to reach and need to reach clean water veins, need for larger operation
Jan 2013
UK: changed name to the correct spelling of Alanouwaly with Foundation added.
Guinea: Organisation in Guinea continues to be named Alanouwaly Salifou Sylla.
Feb 2013
Guinea: Alanouwaly Salifou Sylla Guinea registered as Non Governmental Organisation with constitution and management Committee. Alanouwoly UK assists them with the running and fundraising for the Centre and projects. Alanouwaly Guinea opened bank account in Boke.
March 2013
Guinea: building of 3 rooms of the Community Centre is finished and ready to accommodate various projects.
April 2013
Guinea/UK: Guinean volunteers filmed a consultation about their life and problems with over 200 people participating. The consultation was organised by members in Guinea to assess and analyse problems that Alanouwaly might be able to help with and to see what is the most important. Alanouwaly in UK cut the total of 5.5 hrs material to 1/2 hrs film to show at schools/events for Guineans to increase understanding and to raise support for projects in Guinea.
August 2013
Guinea: successfully raised funds to acquire and install a trial solar pannel and system to charge telephones, computer, camera and any other appliances and to have lights in the night.
Guinea: Research and interviews for water project
Sep 2013
UK: 6th Salifest
Feb 2014
Guinea: Stage 3 roof, veranda and floors done.
March 2014
Achieved charitable status with the Charity Commission!
July 2014
Guinea: Periphery Wall around compound built, enabling the Centre to grow more foods and start keeping animals.
Members planting inside & outside of compound & 1st Alanouwaly goat!
Sep 2014
UK: 7th Salifest
Dec 2014
UK: Container sent to Africa with Solar Power equipment, sewing machines & fabrics donated by IKEA, many donated computers, television and many other useful things
March 2015
Guinea: container arrived, donations sorted and handed out or arranged for the Centre
April 2015
Guinea: 3 Kw Solar system installed at centre with back up generator
Stage 3 windows, doors, plastering done, bamboo gate
Hand-painted sign, including logo on annex of caretaker house
Goats, chicken & sheep bought thanks to the christmas appeal, their stables built, first goat babies born & first eggs laid!
September 2015
wonderful 8th Salifest with an article in the local paper
Funded the decorative artistic ceiling of the hall in the main building
Hens are laying eggs regularly improving people nutrition and 15 chicks have been given to neighbouring families.
October 2015
Small house extended with 2 further rooms and 2 verandas.
This will eventually be used for guests and volunteers. As the big house will be occupied with local learning and resources projects.
January 2016
stage 4 built with roof, windows and doors
March 2016
Small house turned into guesthouse with 4 rooms, decorative ceilings, 3 bathrooms and veranda
May 2016
Computer project piloted with the first 10 students
June 2016: 1st Water Project completed!
After 2 years of fundraising and preparation the collaboration with the german water engineer, Alexander Sigmund and his Eau Pure project produced the first clean water source with solar pump in Boke. This is a huge milestone!
August 2016
Guesthouse veranda railings done
September 2016
UK: 9th Salifest
December 2016
big house with windowhoods and paint, ceiling in hall and tiling in solar room
Start of full scale computer classes.
Murals to advertise the courses
March 2017
Guesthouse Veranda, Mosquito doors and windows, inlaid ceiling
window-grids and paint, tiling
April 2017
Arranged 2 sponsorships
Arranged a sponsorship for Fode to go to Albert Einstein school
Arranged sponsorship for single mum to build traditional house and some land
giving her independence
