Abdou Nar Dia
Oct. 9 2024 at 10:20
The 2024-2025 school year in Samba Dia, in the Fatick region, was marked by the opening of a nursery school with an innovative design, the Ecole du center de la terre. This project is the result of the work of young architects and their mentor, Marc Held, using local materials. Their goal was to support early childhood development in a region in great need. The registration of children in this school delighted the parents and the Education Inspector of Diofior.
Marc Held, designer of the school, explained that his connection with the region dates back to his friendship with the painter Iba Ndiaye and his family relationships. Observing the challenges facing young people in the area, he was inspired to build a preschool to provide them with better learning conditions. This initiative was encouraged by Ousseynou Guèye, director of the local primary school, and by the academic authorities.
To bring this project to fruition, eight architects from several countries joined forces within the “Le Center de la Terre” association. They financed their participation in designing a school respecting modern educational values. The school’s design includes open and closed spaces, a gymnastics field, and an educational vegetable garden. The infrastructure, built with local materials, also offers modern sanitary facilities. The school, painted with lime, is designed to be durable and hygienic.
