WHAT IS DIMPA ?

Many children living with a disability (deaf, hard-of-hearing, dumb, or with intellectual disabilities) suffer from an important isolation and social exclusion, because of a lack of academic and skills trainings. Since they are considered as unproductive and disabled, these youngsters are frequently abandonned by their families and communities, uncapable of taking care of them.

However, in Africa and especially in Congo, this part of the population could be a great opportunity for the countries to develop.

That's why the international Mission DIMPA-IESRM France decided to tackle this issue.

The school aims to help the youngsters with a disability to find their way in the society by offering them an academic and specific education, supplemented by technical and social trainings.

DIMPA school was founded by Ange-Laurent Coddy, a native of the city of Ouesso, and helps about 50 students. The number of students never stops increasing.

Above : new buildings of the school

A NEW SCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN

In 2018, Ange-Laurent Coddy, DIMPA's founder and Mischa Witzmann, associate of the architectural firm KARAWITZ meet for the first time. The architect is already active on the african continent and is impressed by the ambition of this congolese school. Ange-Laurent Coddy is very interested by the philosophy of the studio, by it's bioclimatic architecture and experience in tropical climates. Together they decide to volunteer for the design of a new school for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Ouesso.

A first trip to Congo in 2018 enables the architectural studio and Ange-Laurent Coddy to understand the context and to help deciding of the precise location and program for the school. The trip gives a clear picture of all the great work that has already been done and what needs to be built in the next steps.

From France to Congo, from design to construction.

Located along the Sangha river, on a site given by the mayor of the city of Ouesso, the project brings together diffrent programs in order to enhance students learning :

teaching rooms
workshop
guardian's house
guest house
outdoor planning (sports field, garden, car park...)

These new infrastructures can also be used as a cultural center for the entire village of Ouesso, held events, meetings and any type of performances.

The school was designed so it can be built step by step, starting with the guest house to host teachers.

The architectural concept is based on a light timber structure supported by concrete foundations that will be constructed by a local company. The rest of the building can be made the students and the inhabitants of the village. The design aims to create a comfortable climate without using any complex technology and is based on simple systems such as :

natural ventilation
biosourced materials
local and biosourced timbers
the help of students and volunteers

Dimpa - A school for deaf children

The publications