When Saliou Fall joined the Tostan Training Center in July 2007, he was looking for his first steady job after finishing high school. He had spent years helping his family with farming in his hometown, a responsibility he managed alongside his studies. A relative told him about a short-term opening at the Training Center for a cleaning and maintenance position. He accepted the offer for the summer.
The role involved preparing rooms for seminars, keeping shared spaces clean, and supporting staff during busy training periods. What was meant to last a few months became his entry point into a professional path he had not imagined. Saliou approached the work with consistency and a clear desire to learn.
During his early years at the Training Center, he picked up new skills step by step. He learned to use a computer, manage emails, and follow internal procedures with the support of colleagues. Staff from the IT and logistics departments guided him as he took on more responsibilities. These experiences gave him the practical foundation he needed for future roles.
Over time, Saliou moved from cleaning and maintenance to logistics support. He later became deputy logistics officer, and then national facilities manager. Today, he serves as logistician for the Tostan Training Center. In this role, he coordinates venues, materials, and scheduling so that trainings and meetings run smoothly. His work requires planning, clear communication, and attention to detail.
Saliou values the collaborative environment that shaped his career. He recalls learning the importance of recognizing colleagues’ contributions during a team debrief, when a simple appreciation shared in the group strengthened trust within the team. Experiences like this helped him understand how constructive communication supports effective work.
Now, with many years at the Training Center, Saliou takes pride in supporting younger colleagues as they learn new roles. He sees how access to guidance and steady practice can help people grow professionally, just as it did for him.
He has also witnessed the impact of well-organized logistics during community trainings and events across regions such as Kolda, Kédougou, Tambacounda, and Ourossogui. For him, ensuring that participants have the right conditions to learn and engage is a meaningful part of his job.
For Saliou, the Training Center is a place where people learn from one another and contribute to a shared mission. His path, built over many years of work and learning, reflects the value of motivation, consistency, and opportunities that allow staff to strengthen their skills.