Launching children with neurodevelopmental differences in the DRC from exclusion to opportunity.

LEAPP is a registered non-profit organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. LEAPP welcomes donations of any size to help cover the cost of therapy supplies and service delivery. For example, your donation of $100 provides one month of individualized therapies for one child, including 3 sessions per week and parent/teacher consultation.

History of LEAPP

Pictured from left to right: Philippe KASONGO, Bertin MBUKANI, Betty SENGA, Etienne MAVE, Martin NTAMBWE.

Philippe, Bertin, Betty, Etienne and Martin worked together at Balou, the first boarding school and vocational training program for young people with special needs in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This team dreamed of extending its clinical orientation to early intervention (early support for children under 3 who have developmental delays), individual therapies and school consultation. They also dreamed of extending their geographical reach beyond Lubumbashi. With the support of some local parents and international colleagues, they opened a neurodevelopment clinic in Kolwezi in April 2021.

Their work received widespread interest and support, and they expanded to Lubumbashi in April 2022. LEAPP has been engaged to speak about issues related to child development throughout SE Congo. This team is committed to their vision of inter-disciplinary collaboration, and expansion of neurodevelopmental services across SE Congo and beyond.

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Consulting Clinical Specialists

These professionals are available on a case-by-case basis to provide telephone or video conferencing during or after evaluations, and to provide consultation on the plan of treatment.

Jessica IKETE, Speech therapist.

Jessica graduated from the Haute Ecole Condorcet in Belgium where she Trained in speech and hearing sciences. Founder of Orthokin in Kinshasa, DRC.

Learn more about Jessica here.

Rebecca Kloberdanz, Occupational therapist.

Rebecca trained in occupational therapy and maternal and child public health at the University of Washington in the USA. She is the founder of Vashon Occupational Therapy in Vashon, WA, USA, and serves on LEAPP's board of directors.

Philippe Kasongo,
Clinical psychologist.

Philippe received his doctorate in psychology and education at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, and he is a professor of psychology and education at the University of Lubumbashi. He serves on the board of directors for LEAPP.

STAFF

Étienne Mave

Executive Director and Clinical psychologist, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi

Martin Ntambwe

Chief Financial Officer and clinical psychologist, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi

Betty Senga

Physical Therapist,
Lubumbashi

Bertin Kamundala Mbukani

Deputy Director and clinical psychologist,
Kolwezi and Lubumbashi

Georges NODY

Clinical Psychologist, Kolwezi

Aimerite DJUGU

Clinical Psychologist, at the Rafiki School

Guy GAKWAYA KAYENGA

Public relations officer

Diègue IMBAA AZANKO

Psychologist, LEAPP Lubumbashi

Paola TSHILOMBU KUSUNA

Psychologist, Lubumbashi

Cécile MUJINGA SALINA

Surface technician

Elizabeth MANYEMA

Assistante Kolwezi

Tendresse MAZUYA Kabuge

Psychologist point focal, Lubumbashi

Aurélie MAVE KONGOLO

Psychologist, Lubumbashi

Yaël KIKESENI MWESELWA

Psychologist, Kolwzi

André IKIL

Assistant school Psychologist, Kolwezi

Events

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Etienne Mave at UNIKOL

July 25, 2025 – Leapp Congo accepted the invitation from the Faculty of Psychological Sciences and Education at the University of Kolwezi (UNIKOL). July 25th marked the beginning of Phase I of the 2024-2026 scientific conference, during which Mr. Etienne Mave spoke. His presentation focused primarily on the theme: “Neurodevelopmental Support for Children and Adults…

LEAPP Congo guest on the TV channel Malaïka

September 17, 2025 – Mr. Martin Ntambwe, Clinical Psychologist and Therapist at the #LEAPPCONGO center, was invited to the Malaika TV studio to discuss the statement “children have difficulty healing from the loss of a parent.” Follow his insightful argument to learn more about this stage of life.

Autism Awareness Month Conference in Kolwezi

April 26, 2025 – As part of Autism Awareness Month, LEAPP organized a hybrid conference in Kolwezi, gathering around 100 participants both in person and online. The event featured insightful presentations from experts on early identification and screening for Autism, as well as medical and therapeutic perspectives on treatment. This initiative aimed to raise awareness,…

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Day Focused on the Theme: “How to Recognize and Refer a Child with Special Needs.”

February 9, 2025 – Schools within the Magnificat Community Network took advantage of Mr. Etienne Mave’s visit to Kinshasa to engage in a training session on the theme: “How to Recognize and Refer a Child with Special Needs.” Our sincere thanks to Coordinator Michel Otto for making this day possible and to the attentive group…

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Partnership between LEAPP Congo and Saint Marcel Academy

January 31, 2025 – The year 2025 begins with a partnership between LEAPP Congo and Saint Marcel Academy, aimed at supporting children with special needs and facilitating their integration into society. To this end, LEAPP Congo organized a training and experience-sharing workshop to involve the school’s teaching and administrative staff in this noble cause.

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Training with Diallo R-M-A Manoue

January 22, 2025 – LEAPP Congo was delighted to welcome Diallo R-M-A Manoue, a neuropsychologist and neuroeducator specializing in social development, for a training on the creation and use of teaching materials as well as compassionate pedagogy in a support structure for atypical or mixed-profile children.

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Early Diagnosis of Autism conference

November 24, 2024 – LEAPP Congo was well represented at the online conference on the theme “Early Diagnosis of Autism.” This conference was co-organized by APATASACAM and DARE TO HOPE. “It is said that the clash of ideas sparks light, and without a doubt, the representatives of LEAPP Congo leave this conference with valuable insights…

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Participation in MALAIKA TV

October 9, 2024 – LEAPP Congo took part in a program on MALAIKA TV to mark World Mental Health Day, which is commemorated every year on October 10. This year’s global theme: “It is time to make mental health a priority in the workplace.”The national theme: “Let’s invest in mental health in the workplace.” LEAPP…

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“Understanding Autism” conference

June 5, 2024 – In response to the growing number of autism cases in Kolwezi, the medical team of Watu Wetu, led by Dr. Laeticia, organized a conference on the theme: ‘Understanding Autism.’ Based on its more than ten years of expertise in handling autism cases in centers in Kolwezi and Lubumbashi, Leapp Congo was…

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Congratulations Mrs. Safari Leonie!

June 23rd, 2024 – After a three-month internship at Leapp Congo and one month of assignment and service at Rafiki II, Mrs. Léonie from the University Espoir d’Afrique of Burundi will now leave us for Goma. A certificate of completion was awarded to her. We wish Mrs. Safari Léonie good luck and a continued success,…