by Fatoumata, age 8 from Conakry, Guinea, asks Santa his French name, Guinea’s bauxite reserves, and its history as a French colony.
Dear Santa, my name is Fatoumata, and I am eight years old. I live in Conakry, Guinea, where my grand-mere says our whole capital sits on a narrow peninsula sticking out into the ocean.
Dear Fatoumata, a peninsula city makes for one of the most dramatic coastal landings on my entire African route, your grand-mere picked a truly striking hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
What is Santa called in French? My grand-mere always calls you something different than what my cousins in America say.
In French, I go by Pere Noel, Fatoumata, which simply means Father Christmas. Your grand-mere has been calling me by my proper French name all along.
My grand-mere says Guinea has a lot of valuable minerals found underground. Is that true?
It is true, Fatoumata, Guinea holds some of the largest reserves of bauxite in the entire world, an important mineral used to make aluminum. I always admire that hidden richness flying over your beautiful country.
My grand-mere says Guinea was once a French colony, which is why we still speak French today. Is that true?
It is true, Fatoumata, Guinea was once a French colony before gaining independence, and French remains the official language spoken across the country today. Language has a wonderful way of connecting people across generations, wherever life takes them.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Fatoumata Diallo
Conakry, Guinea
P.S. Will you sign your letters Pere Noel for me this year?
Consider it done, Fatoumata, a proper French signature for a proper French speaker.
