The fifth edition of the VIA Guinea program concluded on November 13, 2026, in Conakry. The initiative, led by the TotalEnergies Foundation and implemented by the NGO EDUFEEM, aims to educate students about road safety and promote a safer commute to school. This program is part of a global effort, with over 40 countries participating. The event brought together students from 19 schools in Conakry and Kindia.
During the program, students identified several high-risk areas near their schools, including a lack of signage, absence of speed bumps, degraded sidewalks, and hazardous crossings. These young ambassadors for safe mobility are working to improve their school environment. The VIA program focuses on education and prevention to teach children good road behavior. This edition marks a significant milestone, with over one million young people trained worldwide.
Aminata Camara, executive director of EDUFEEM Guinea, explained that the VIA program aims to educate and inform children about road safety and mobility. With over one million young people trained, the program is confident that children are developing good habits, such as looking left and right before crossing the road. The program is a joint effort between the TotalEnergies Foundation, EDUFEEM, and TotalEnergies Marketing Guinea.
TotalEnergies Marketing Guinea's responsible for social responsibility, Aïssatou Diallo, emphasized that safety is the company's top priority. The program is part of their social responsibility efforts, ensuring that children can travel to and from school safely. The program has made progress in Guinea, with 19 schools participating, up from 14 in the previous edition.
The initiative has received praise from educational authorities, including Mamadou Dian Camara from the Conakry Regional Education Inspection. He noted that the program addresses a significant concern about student safety, particularly near major roads. The program helps raise awareness among parents and students to reduce accidents.
The VIA program aims to make children actors in road safety prevention while drawing attention to the need for greater security around schools. Organizers believe that protecting students on their way to school is a shared responsibility. The program's expansion to 19 schools is a positive development, although more work remains to be done to address the country's needs.
The program's success in Guinea demonstrates the potential for collaborative efforts to improve road safety for schoolchildren. With continued support from partners and authorities, the VIA program can make a lasting impact on the safety and well-being of students. The program's focus on education and prevention is a crucial step towards creating a safer environment for children to travel to and from school.
Key points
- The VIA program has trained over one million young people worldwide in road safety and mobility.
- The program has expanded to 19 schools in Guinea, up from 14 in the previous edition.
- The initiative aims to make children actors in road safety prevention and promote a safer school commute.
