Toni Jones with friends Zenab and Kadiatou Two years ago, Toni Jones, a social worker at USC's Center for Child and Family studies, decided to make a pilgrimage to a nation she had grown to love through her study of West African drumming. She traveled to Conakry, Guinea, in January of 2007 just as demonstrations were being held by the labor unions representing government workers in protest to low wages, corruption, and the rising cost of food and electricity. Her first impression of the city as her plane landed on the runway were the runway lights. The rest of the city was in complete darkness.

Only two days after her arrival, on January 22, 2007, violence broke out between security forces and the demonstrators. Over 130 people were killed and over 1700 wounded mostly by gunfire in the streets of Conakry as the general populace joined the trade unions to demand economic and social justice for all citizens of Guinea. At its height there were tens of thousands of protestors.

Jones and her drumming teacher Amara Camara, originally of Conakry, Guinea, became witnesses to the events of January, 2007. Jones speaks of the passion of these West Africans and their desperation that led them to risk their lives for a better nation. She reports that the average daily wage is $1. There is no health care at all. Every day family members begin the search for food for that day. Few homes have electricity, running water, or sanitation. The wells in the city are considered lethal to those who were not used to it.

The compound where she lived was two miles from the demonstrators. She had to stay inside. Even after the two- day violent crackdown, the people still continued to march peacefully for seven days. On one day she heard children screaming and heard gunfire from AK40 semi-automatic weapons. She could see people running and could see the tops of guns holding up and firing in the air over the walls of the compound.

Four or five children came into the courtyard for protection. She told everyone inside to lie on the ground until the men had passed. She rode in a car with a machine gun to keep them "safe." She says there were large groups of children running in the streets announcing what they heard and saw. One of the demands of the demonstrators was that a new prime minister be put into power. She remembers the moment when the children flooded the compound screaming, "We have a prime minister! We have a prime minister!"

Mariana and Zenab gave Toni Jones lesson in Sousou, the primary language spoken in Conakry, Guinea, The appointed prime minister was overthrown after a few months and Conte stayed in power until his death on December 23, 2008, a 23 year rule. After a "bloodless" military coup, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara was appointed to lead the nation. He promises to provide for democratic elections by the end of 2009.

Jones says she does want to go back to Conakry, Guinea. Currently, she is enjoying her new venture into the techniques of African drumming. She performs with her teacher Amara Camara and two other students, Michael Canty and Kimberly Field, in schools, festivals, and churches across the state. Visiting West African drummer and dance instructor from New York, Frank Stephens, accompanies the group.

Guests watch dancers perform at celebration in Toni Jones's compound. For more information about West African drumming contact Toni Jones at (803) 260-6486.

Toni Jones's neighbors down the street in the Ratoma district Drum shop of artisan Sorel Wolara (r) standing beside master drummer Camara