“Since 2020, an image depicting a young boy proudly holding a cardboard model of a stadium has been circulating on social networks and football news sites. This is the inspirational story of Jorkiam Samba Mampuya, affectionately known as Djodjo—a teenage boy from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, with aspirations of becoming one of the world’s most renowned architects
Djodjo has captured the attention of social media audiences by showcasing his remarkable talent in crafting miniature football stadium models, both from around the world and inspired by his homeland.”
Djodjo’s works include iconic stadiums from the Santiago Bernabéu, Camp Nou to the Tata Raphael stadium in Kinshasa.
Djodjo had fun making his own miniature football stadiums using cardboard, magazine paper, glue and paint. Despite using simple materials, Djodjo was able to recreate these structures in great detail.
The work that made the boy famous was a model of the Martyrs Stadium in the Congolese capital. “I started with small stadiums, until I reached this scale,” Djodjo said in an interview.
“I spend a lot of time making stadium models and less time playing soccer. I don’t like football, but I like making stadium models ,” admitted Djodjo, the eldest brother in a family of five brothers.
Despite the difficult reality, living in one of the countries with the lowest Human Development Index (HDI), Djodjo hopes to one day become one of the world’s famous architects.
“I want the world to know me and be considered one of the famous architects of this world… the Congolese who created great works,” Djodjo did not hesitate to express his dream . your wish.
