Goma is a
fascinating city of around one million people caught up between volcanic
eruption and armed conflict. Capital
of Congo’s North Kivu Province, it is living hell for some but a city of promise
for others. In contrast to dominant discourses, this book relates the
population’s attitudes about well-being, resilience and opportunity. Resigned
and hardened by struggle, they
give the impression that life is neither beautiful nor ugly, but an unending
skirmish with destiny.
Based on twelve personal narratives, we recount
the story of an urban landscape in an authentic and humanizing way. The
revelations are sometimes agonizing, often surprising but always full of
meaning. This qualitative approach helps make sense of this vast enigma of a
city and the relationships between the population and their economic, social,
ecological, political and religious environments.
This new book is an invitation to discover the
intimate feelings and multiple realities of ordinary people determined to
define their future.
