The origin of Domus Mundi
Domus Mundi has originated from another social-profit organization, EcoLEEM-EcoTERRE, that has been founded in 1998. As the name (in Dutch) suggests, EcoLEEM-EcoTERRE mainly deals with the promotion of loam as a building material. EcoLEEM-EcoTERRE accompanied renovation or new-construction projects, offered industrially produced loam products, organized practical lessons and a particularly successful fair: Leem ’98. In collaboration with the social-profit organization VIA, an international camp was organized for the building of a loam dome.
The first project
The very beginning of Domus Mundi goes back to November 2004. Then, Alexis Versele and Katrien Biesbroeck went to Dakar, Senegal. There, possible projects were negotiated: talks were held with the members of a hospital in Pikine, a suburb of Dakar, and possible funds were studied. During a busy and interesting visit to the slums and disfavoured neighbourhoods of Dakar, we got to know the vitality of the Senegalese. This was the beginning of the first Domus Mundi project. Domus Mundi helped with the request for micro-financings for the extension of the school in the poor harbour area.
